How did you get into stand-up comedy?
Around 8 years ago, my work gave everyone £100 to spend on a passion project. I figured I wasn't paying so I did a weekend stand-up course. I was terrible. Turns out being the funny friend is NOT the same as making strangers laugh or writing jokes. Then I went to an open mic night to support someone from the course and thought, wait, they're a bit shit, I think I'm better than that so I signed up to do the next one.
Where do you get your inspiration for your material?
When I started doing comedy, I mostly used my job working in advertising as material. Then over the years comedy has become my therapy so now I find inspiration from my own life. I love talking about my heritage, my ongoing identity crisis, bad dates, body hair and my thoughts on super stylish babies.
How do you deal with hecklers or a tough audience?
After my first heckle I was so personally wounded I listened to sad music and cried on the tube home leaning my head against the window dramatically. I'm not a fast-thinker so I usually fluff the reply and think about cool comebacks later in the shower.
What is the funniest or most memorable moment you've had on stage?
My comedy idol came to one of my WIP half hour shows last year at Fringe in Edinburgh. I'd only sold 8 tickets so the room was super quiet and empty and the laughter was lukewarm at best. It was the longest half hour of my life listening to the gentle polite laughter whilst thinking of all the ways I wanted to die. Then I cried to mum on the phone. Yikes, comedy makes me cry a lot eh? I promise I do enjoy it!
What's been the highlight of your career as a stand-up comedian so far?
Being runner-up in the Funny Women Awards in 2021. I was on the verge of quitting comedy completely and being able to perform in such a big room to such a responsive audience made all the shitty gigs and work up until that point feel worth it and validating. I was like, oh, maybe I'm OK at this!
Do you already have an impression of Switzerland and the Swiss, if so what is it?
I had a connecting flight through Switzerland when I was 18 on my way home to Rome. All I remember is paying 18 euros for a bag of Haribo bears and being too poor to buy water. I'm hoping to create some new and better memories but the bar is very low!
If you had to choose a favourite city, Zurich or Basel?
I just remembered that a few years ago I went to Bad Zurzach for work and stayed in a spa hotel where the average age of guests was 78. I loved it. So that's my first favourite city. Let me see which city has the nice audience in Zurich or Basel and I'll get back to you.
How do you see more of Bronwyn?
Come see her open our premier show "The Big Comedy Kiss" on the 27th April in Basel and the 28th April in Zurich.
Can't make it?
Check her out here on youtube or find further shows by following her on Instagram.