Seven Questions With… Tiff Stevenson
Tiff Stevenson is a very diverse stand up comedian, actor and writer who also runs the Old Rope new material night at The Phoenix in London. In recent times, you may have seen her on shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock The Week, and she’s even performed at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2011 for the final of ITV’s Show Me The Funny. Tiff is currently touring her latest show Optimist, where she discusses the harsh realities of adulthood while also trying to dissect her own personal outlook on the world.
I asked her these seven questions to delve a little deeper…
1) What is the strangest thing you’ve ever done?
It would be easier to ask me the least strange. Most of them in a professional capacity. Over time I have been a tequila shot girl, club podium dancer, street theatre performer, promo person, snogged Finchy from The Office (during an episode not just a random lunge), was the lead in a Dizzee Rascal video, I ran around the streets of Liverpool with Ellie Taylor searching for women called Michelle and I once swam with sharks during the Edinburgh fringe… actual sharks not Kate Copstick.
2) Do you attempt New Year’s Resolutions?
Attempt would be the best description. To be honest I’m on a self improvement jag most of the time
3) What is the best gigging experience you’ve ever had?
Ok a few so here goes:
Reading Festival 2013 & 2014 – just my perfect crowd really. Young people with a dark/outsider slant and discerning older people with great taste in music. Full tent of 3,500 people. Leeds is often great too but Reading pips it. Also, playing places like the Apollo are pretty great as the laughter comes back at you in waves.
In terms of small intimate rooms then The Phoenix in Cavendish Sq is the nuts. It is where I run Old Rope every Monday, it’s absolutely the best comedy room and I’ve had some of my best gigs in there. So many! I did the Melbourne Comedy Roadshow and some of the theatres there are amazing, you are on a mixed bill with other great performers. Also Hannibal Buress runs a room at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn which is pretty hard to beat.
4) Which animal would be the worst pet?
A human called Tiff Stevenson. She would wear all your clothes and shit all over the carpet, but then she would do a funny joke and you’d have to forgive her.
5) What is the best thing to do on a Sunday?
Sunday morning is spent reflecting on how funny you are. Normally an hour or so in the mirror saying things like ‘You are the best’ and ‘Who wants a British Comedy Award anyway?’.
Then 4 hours of comedic sit-ups which is basically watching marathons of Buffy, Supernatural or this new show called Friends… don’t know if you’ve heard of it? It’s about 6 friends who live in New York and meet up in a coffee shop. It’s a period piece where they all dress in 90’s clothes.
Sunday evening is spent shouting at the cat and my boyfriend then sticking my fingers up to Nike by wearing their ‘Just Do It’ leggings whilst sitting on the sofa doing absolutely cock all.
Sunday late evening – I try to sleep then inevitably get all my joke ideas so stay up till 3am.
6) What is the best thing about being alive?
Serving my cat, I am merely a slave to his demands. Occasionally he rewards me by leaving a sick on the carpet or bringing in a pigeon that he has murdered.
7) Do you have any advice for new comedians?
Go buy tickets to see Tiff Stevenson on tour and you will learn everything you need to know. Also write, write more and get stage time.
TIFF STEVENSON’S SHOW: OPTIMIST WILL BE AT THE SOHO THEATRE FROM THE 25TH- 28TH FEBRUARY