Sarah Keyworth on People-Pleasing and Compassion

Sarah Keyworth is a self-proclaimed “people-pleaser,” and it’s somewhat evident; not just in their stand up, but in this interview (“I spoke for so long,” they say, after speaking for a perfectly acceptable amount of time, “I’m so sorry!”).

Keyworth has been on the circuit for well over a decade, but their online presence in recent years has bolstered their popularity to dizzying heights. Clips of their crowd work often go viral, not just for the usual quick-witted swipes at hecklers that audiences are perhaps used to seeing from experienced comics, but more for the fact that the interactions are genuine. They’re born from curiosity, and the breezy humour which is seemingly inherent to Keyworth’s character is simply an added bonus.

“I always loved the spontaneity of live stand-up when I watched it when I was younger… those moments of artists talking and you feel like it’s exclusively happening with those people in that space, I always found that to be the most exciting.” Keyworth is keen to make sure their audience is having a good time, and in their latest hour My Eyes Are Up Here, a show which Keyworth claims is their “most cheerful yet”, a good time is all but guaranteed.

Being a people-pleaser isn’t to say, however, that Keyworth shies away from the topics that a more intolerant (read: ignorant) crowd would find displeasing. My Eyes Are Up Here is a direct exploration of their decision to undergo top surgery, and, more specifically, their family’s response to that.

“Luckily,” Keyworth reassures us, their family “are all very loving. They’re funny without being horrific or traumatic.” The love is apparent: one of two phone calls Keyworth receives during our chat is from their mum – “my brother’s getting married in August, and you’d think my mum is getting married in August” – and the other is from a food delivery company about a care package Keyworth is trying to send one of their mates.

It’s a rare but refreshing insight into a stand-up’s real life, and one that isn’t fraught with worry or distress. Keyworth loves and is loved in return, and the security that offers is palpable. And now, thanks to their virality and the years of solid graft, Keyworth can enjoy an already pretty much sold-out Fringe run, and deliver an hour that’s just won Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with confidence. “It’s lovely,” they say, about having a crowd that knows them now. “It’s good to be like ‘I’m exactly who you thought I was gonna be.’”

As a Fringe veteran, Keyworth has some sound advice for those just starting out – “Don’t.” Then, if you must, try not to fall prey to FOMO. “There’s sort of this mythology of the Fringe of people getting discovered and careers being made in conversations at bars, of deals being done – nothing gets commissioned at 4am in the Pleasance Dome. Go to bed.” They emphasise how important it is to stay well during a gruelling, month-long run a couple of times: “Look after your body and brain”, their words laced with what now feels like their trademarked genuine thoughtfulness.

My Eyes Are Up Here yields no big surprises, not that Keyworth can remember anyway, and is a step away from themes of loss, grief, and sexuality that we’ve seen from Keyworth before. Touching on a topic like gender identity (although not the crux of the show), which already suffers intense scrutiny and speculation, means that a big twist or a sucker-punch isn’t really necessary. Perhaps, compassion and care are what’s actually needed instead, and we’re certain Keyworth will deliver on that front, with some excellent punchlines to boot.

Finally, while they’re up in Edinburgh, Keyworth’s keen to shout out some of the acts they’re really looking forward to seeing. Louise Atkinson and newbie Dee Allum both get an early mention and the likes of Lara Ricote, Ania Magliano and Olga Koch all quickly roll off their tongue. Suddenly, they realise. “Have I said any men? There’s gotta be some men. There’s gotta be. And there’s men – go see the men,” with Dan Tiernan getting a look in too.

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Sarah Keyworth: My Eyes are Up Here, Monkey Barrel (MB3), 1-25 Aug, 1.25pm, £12; Pleasance Courtyard (Grand), 19 Aug, 7.30pm, £12
Also touring to Glee Club, Glasgow, 23 Oct

@sarah_keyworth on Instagram and @sarahkeyworthcomedian on TikTok