New Act of the Month: Ana Canary

Age: 22

Based in: Edinburgh

First gig: 2009

Number of gigs: 17

Most memorable gig? Once I performed to one man in a boat in Leith. I went to do a five minute spot and there was just one guy looking really embarrassed. But we did the show anyway. He enjoyed it more than I was expecting, it went much better than I thought it would.

How did you get into comedy? It’s not something I ever thought I’d get into. I knew I wanted to work in the comedy industry, but didn’t thing I wanted to actually work as a performer. I worked at The Stand [behind the bar], and would see a lot of Red Raw, and see a lot of acts die on their arse. You can’t help but think “I’m sure I can do better than that.” Then I started to feel guilty about thinking that about these people who were trying their best and I thought “You know what, I should put my money where my mouth is.”

What do you try and do onstage?

[My style is] kind of surreal, I just try to say things that I would find funny. One of my comedy heroes is Tony Law, so I sort of try and emulate his kind of nonsense – whimsical comedy.

Who are your comedy heroes on the Scottish scene?

[Stand Director] Tommy Sheppard. He’s not a comedian, but I can’t think of anyone I respect more. I’ve worked for other comedy venues, where the owners obviously don’t care about comedy, and it’s so nice to work under someone who so obviously does.