Pepper&Salt talks to Ruby Carr about her new show, Bite Me, taking us through her writing process, the universal adulting process and the worrier designation process.
How would you summarise your show?
It’s the dental mental crossover the people have been crying out for. It is about obsession and perfection. I wanted to do a show that talked about my experience of getting treatment for OCD. I just so happen to be getting dental treatment at the same time, there shouldn’t be any overlap… right?
This show has been described as a very personal hour, what was it like to write something like that?
Normally, I’m not a very open book. People think I’m an open book, but actually they’ve got a curated pamphlet and I’m hiding the book. I love writing the jokes for my show, it’s been so fun playing with the silly crossover I’ve set up. The challenge has been inserting the honesty and the personal side, without sacrificing my boundaries and protection to make sure I can perform this personal show every day. The process of making the show has been finding the sweet point between my silliness, the truth and most importantly, not triggering myself.
If there was one thing you would want audiences to take away with them from this show?
Self improvement can be indulgent and very necessary. Sometimes, people think if they are coping, then it’s fine, and they don’t need to create a hassle. If you think your quality of life can be improved, then it is extremely necessary. Coping does not equal thriving. We have one opportunity for life, if someone else can help you thrive, you can go to them.
How did it feel writing the ‘tricky second hour?
I felt very excited for my second hour. Traditionally, debut hours are an introduction to the comic. My first hour was about my love of the auction website ebay. So I felt like I had barely scratched the surface of “me”.
How do you think your writing or comedy has developed between writing your fringe debut and writing this show?
This is not so much about writing, but one of the things I really took for the shows I saw last year was intentional props. I loved seeing how props had been made, styled and decorated to add extra detail to shows. It’s such a small thing but, to me, those extra little flourishes showed an attention to detail that I really respected. I am not the most crafty person, but I have to think about every element of my show and how I can enhance every moment, with everything in my arsenal.
“It’s such a small thing but, to me, those extra little flourishes showed an attention to detail that I really respected. I am not the most crafty person, but I have to think about every element of my show and how I can enhance every moment, with everything in my arsenal.”
How would you describe your approach to comedy?
I would say my approach is very analytical compared to how wimpsy I come across on stage.Topic/theme – anecdotes – information. I start from a topic or theme I want to talk about, whatever feels exciting to me. Next I find all my anecdotes that are relevant, check they are on theme, and communicate the point I want to get across. Now I look for all the information the audience is missing. Any question the audience might have – the who, what, when, where, why, how of it all. And any new bit of information shared, gets a joke written for it. And then it’s a lot of refinement.
What are you looking forward to about the Edinburgh Fringe?
There’s something exciting about getting to perform my show every day and seeing how it develops with each audience. Also, the fact that once a year I have the highest concentration of my friends in one city, and can turn a corner and bump into pals, magical. Plus, what an amazing opportunity to see shows you’re excited about and shows that help expand your horizons!
Assuming one can learn to adult, In your opinion, how many weeks does it take to fully learn how to do that?
10 million. I don’t think anyone ever feels like they are a complete adult. I think if we are honest, we are all guessing. And I spend a lot of time trying to be ok with that. The hardest bit is that you only truly learn how to be an adult through your mistakes, and how you deal with the shit parts.
What are hypothetically some of the problems that someone can expect to encounter with every self-improvement attempt?
The journey is not perfect. There are ups and downs. You might move a tooth to its perfect position, but now an area of it that wasn’t exposed before is really sensitive. And now you have to deal with that. Progress is not a liner line.
If you don’t mind sharing or giving out spoilers, what do you believe are some of the actionable steps in this show that audiences can take away with them?
Senodyne is brilliant for sensitive teeth. Follow all of your dentist instructions. And you need to floss for more than the week before your next appointment.
If you once more don’t mind sharing, what is a joke/ moment/ topic that you didn’t end up including in the final version of this show?
I used to nominate a “Designated Worrier” for the audience. One person who was in charge of being concerned about my wellbeing so everyone else can relax and enjoy the show. They were allowed to stop the show whenever they felt worried. This was really fun, and every show was different for when the DW would pause the show. I removed it from the show because as much as I love it, I am now so pleased with the shape and pacing of my show… I don’t want it to be interrupted anymore. So farewell the “Designated Worrier”, you were all brilliant.
By Katerina Partolina Schwartz
Photo credit: Kirsty Dimond
Pepper & Salt 
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