Actress, comic and business woman Natasha Pearl Hansen knows how to turn a situation to her advantage. On June 15 2019 – the day she was supposed to get married, she recorded and self-produced a comedy special “I Was Supposed to Get Married Today…” The venue was the place she was supposed to get married – her audience were the people who would have been her wedding guests.
The Right Amount of Wrong, her debut Fringe show, is all about the pitfalls of relationships.
Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
My show is story-driven standup comedy about my life and personal story, and I leave no topic untouched! I love edgy subject matter, and I definitely teeter on the edge of what’s wrong and right to talk about in my personal life, hence the title. I divulge a lot of juicy information about my past relationship, ending an engagement, trying to make sense of life and love post-pandemic, the concept of bringing kids into the world, aging, my family, and a full spectrum of classily dirty modern adulthood subject matter. I keep my comedy light, fun, real and relatable. I truly have a blast on stage and love setting shows up so the audience walks away feeling like we’ve known each other forever. I also love a good post-show pub hang with audience members.
What makes you laugh?
Weird things make me laugh! Anything that feels childlike and silly, while still centering on adult subject matter. I love to see the worlds of being a big kid vs a little kid collide. On the flip side, I also enjoy thoughtfully dirty, dark or snarky humor. I’m also a sucker for seeing people trip and fall or eat bananas in public.
What three words best describe your performance style – and why?
Expressive, engaging, unrestrained. I’m really animated on stage; not to the point of being considered a “physical comedian,” but rather in my expressions. I show a huge range of emotion on stage, and even pockets where I’m getting to a punchline I can feel the audience engaged in the story and being really attentive to what I’m about to say. I also take opportunities to be present with the crowd; noticing their responses and reactions and making them a part of the story where it makes sense. There’s nothing off-topic from my own life and experiences that I’m unwilling to share!
Do you have nerves about going on stage and how do you cope with them.
I honestly don’t anymore. Being on stage is my most present part of the day, so I find it liberating and don’t go into any shows with any expectations whatsoever. I used to have nerves, and I’d cope with them with 20 minutes of chill time and a glass of whiskey pre-show… haha. I think also getting a workout in in the morning and being active outdoors has really reduced my anxiety levels in general. I often call my grandma before shows as she loves it when I talk s*** about her, and she reminds me to just have FUN.
What’s your idea of a perfect Fringe feast and where will you eat it?
I’m a big time meat eater and I LOVE grilling. Honestly any good steak house or seafood is right up my alley. I am hoping to get heaps of suggestions from locals while in Edinburgh. I also really like family-style meals or tapas – just any setting with a big, fun group where everyone’s sharing food and laughing and talking and drinking for hours – that’s my jam. I can’t even think of a food I don’t like and I’ll try anything (except pig balls or things like that, I just don’t need that in my life).
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
There is something in every piece of my hour that relates to someone’s life. My favorite thing is when, after a show, people come up to me and share an anecdote of something similar they experienced and we can laugh at the bullshit together. I also think I offer some unique perspective into healing from past trauma, and dealing with the unexpected in life. I like to think I’ll make people laugh for days after as they replay certain stories, or that it’ll open up some new conversation between them and their friends or even strangers. I also think I’ll leave people feeling a lot less negatively about themselves…
When did you first realise you were born to be on stage?
Young. I was a performer out of the gate, mainly dancing back in the day. I was also an only kid from a family without money, so I had to be creative, play outside, entertain myself, make friends, or hang out with adults if I wanted something to do. My teachers noticed early on that I had a knack for public speaking and creative writing/storytelling. I gained accolades in classes like AP Lit and public speaking, and ended up being a teacher’s assistant for public speaking because I loved speaking in front of people and presenting so much. This all came to a head entering highschool where I kept “thought books” of funny ideas and stories and would “perform” them at parties with older classmates. I still have many volumes of these early joke books in a fireproof box.
Why do you think Edinburgh Fringe is so important to performers and artists around the world?
For me, the draw was getting to put my art up the way I want to. Each performer is their own experience, and having a captive audience of art-loving people at such a huge arts event is an absolute dream. I think it’s important for artists to see the response to their work from other cultures and backgrouns, and the international aspect really gives artists a well-rounded idea of how they come across to the world. This fest draws people from all over who just love being a part of the creative process, and that’s such a gift to performers to be able to put their heart and talent on a stage in front of. There’s something for everyone, and it’s a fun discovery process as a performer to see what types of people and personalities gravitate toward your artistry.
How do you plan to relax and enjoy the city when you’re not performing.
I love to explore and be outside. I have an afternoon show, so I’ll likely spend the mornings and late afternoons outside just seeing as much as I can. I actually really enjoy walking around by myself and seeing what magic I can find, even just by striking up chats with random strangers, or stumbling upon some secluded haunted ghost tour. I think if I wasn’t a comedian I would’ve been an explorer, so thankfully this fest can satiate me on both sides. Adventure relaxes me, weirdly enough.
Who is your showbiz idol and why?
Dolly Parton has always been my number one – she’s smart, funny, loveable, talented, and she’s like 95 and smoking hot.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
I love candid laughter and conversation over meals or beers. Whether it’s with other performers or audience members, or a combination, I really look forward the most to the little nuggets of unexpected good times with new friends while off stage. I write the most and am inspired the most when I’m just living and enjoying life. I expect I’ll write a new hour at the festival just from enjoying the moments and interactions off stage!
Natasha Pearl Hansen: The Right Amount of Wrong, 14.00, Just the Tonic @ Cabaret Volatire
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/natasha-pearl-hansen-the-right-amount-of-wrong
