Juliet Meyers: Raised By Fridge Magnets

So, tell us about Raised By Fridge Magnets? Where does the title come from?

It's about how much I loved the wit and wisdom of the family across the road's fridge magnets as a kid, and swallowed wholeheartedly the messages they conveyed (along with the contents of the fridge probably) and how I 'blame' them for who I am today. It's also about what we turn to when life gets tough.

Are you looking forward to performing at The Stand?

YEAH! The people at The Stand know their comedy and are brilliant to work with. They also have some of my favourite acts ever during the fringe. In the words of the Scottish lobster in the Water Babies 'High Cockalorum!' which I think means 'hooray for good times' but no doubt Scots and lobsters will be correcting me on this all fringe.

The blurb for your show mentions "her dislike of media 'aimed at women by women'". How do you feel about all-female comedy nights and comedy competitions?

Hmm..I think anything that showcases female comedy is good (although there is a particular all-female competition that is 'pay to enter ' and I don't think people need to when something has an audience.) I would prefer to just see more women on the bill on 'regular' comedy nights and this is something promoters who know their comedy already do anyhow. I think there is a danger that female comedy is seen as a different species when it shouldn't be, especially as there are many excellent women doing comedy out there. People often refer to 'comediennes' but why the gender distinction? The fact that the comedian is female is largely irrelevant. 'Comedienne' always sounds to me like it should be an Edwardian lady hilariously twirling hankies in her hands or producing them from her 'Netherlands'! I keep saying 'I think' because there is such a variety of female voices out there, that I can only speak for myself. Lord, is that the time? Didn't mean to give such a long answer...bloody women they prattle on!

I know you were flatsharing with Sarah Millican and Sally-Anne Hayward last Fringe. What's the vibe like in a flat full of solo female performers?

I think it depends on which female performers you live with. Somewhere out there are three female comedians who sewed a quilt, but we just laughed at the farty noise the sumptuous leather sofas made and dicked around. There was an old hard hat that looked like something that had served in the colonies. We just kept putting it on and encouraging the others to hit us as hard as possible knowing it didn't hurt! We are all good friends and so we hung out a lot and were very supportive of each other. One of us was a bit more domesticated so the other 2 of us panicked when we heard their footsteps on the stairwell and packed the dishwasher as fast as possible like we were on some cheap daytime gameshow.

What's your ideal Fringe show? Do you like a string of gags or do you prefer something more structured?

I like both, love gags but love it even more if you find out personal stuff during the hour.

What's you #1 survival tip at the Fringe?

I find a dog and pet it. They couldn't care less how your 'edgy gag about race' is going or how many people came to your show, much like many of my non-comedian friends.

And who else do you plan on seeing in Edinburgh?

Oh lord, this is like winning an Oscar, so many people to mention: I love seeing new people I hadn't even heard of before and people's first hours. But also looking forward to seeing Joe Lycett (it is his first hour), Liam Mullone, Grainne Maguire, Bridget Christie, Sally-Anne Hayward, Jen Brister, Andrew Watts, Andrew O' Neill and John Robins. I'm also going to see Matthew Osbourne's play as he's both a brilliant comedy writer and performing in it too. I've never seen him not wear a suit before.