The last time I saw Fiona Allen we were both trying to escape from a Fringe cocktail party.
So I find it hilarious that her new show ‘White Lies’ is all about how to get out of social situations without offending people.
Allen, who is one of the original creators of TV female sketch show ‘Smack the Pony’ started solo stand up late in life – after raising kids and working as a comic actress.
“This is only my second solo Fringe show. It’s a story, with a beginning a middle and an end. It’s got a narrative arc – it’s not just continuous punch line set up.”
The story, which a lot of us will relate to, is about being invited to a party by a neighbour and wanting to find an excuse not to go.
“It has got to do with organised fun. It’s like New Year’s Eve. You are supposed to get together, jump around, have fun.
“I’m quite good at not doing things but I think there is something about neighbours. You have got to live with these people, you bump into them when you are walking the dog.”
The story takes place across a single day, with Fiona facing a number of unexpected obstacles, while trying to come up with an irresistible white lie so she can avoid socialising and small talk.
Allen has a list of screen credits which includes Coronation Street, Poirot and Alan Partridge but is still best known for Smack the Pony – the ground -breaking female-led sketch show which ran in the noughties but which also has a huge online fan following.
Last year Allen was back at the Fringe with Sally Phillips and Doon Mackichan for a pop up Smack the Pony show in which the trio were interviewed by Kirsty Walk to celebrate 40 years of the Gilded Balloon.
Amazingly the trio, who are all immensely talented performers and writers, weren’t sure there was much demand for a reunion. But the shows sold out and created a huge Fringe buzz – and they have resolved to bring a live show to the road sometime in the near future.
“We weren’t sure how well a live show would work because so much of it was filmed on location – but we think we can do it. The show still has a following, not just in the UK but around the world. There are a lot of people that love us and we love them back – so we are working out how to do it.”
Allen has also been working on the TV series The Good Ship Murder, where she will play the Captain of a ship touring the Mediterranean. She’ll be away on location just before the Fringe but she’ll make sure she gets plenty of live spots in comedy clubs to prepare.
She didn’t start performing her solo show until after raising her three kids – but she feels completely at home in the clubs.
“Actually I have done a lot of touring since I started stand up and I love it. I feel like I’ve been to all the nooks and crannies of the UK and I’ve loved it.
“I love jokes – but the more stage time you have the more you start to feel comfortable with going beyond that. Now I can breathe and I can relax with it.”
When she was in Edinburgh last time there was an unexpected death in the family when Sir Michael Parkinson, the chat show host, who was her father-in-law, died suddenly. Fiona decided to carry on with her last few shows. “I walked around in a daze but the family said carry on and finish your shows so I did.”
It was the right decision – but it was a strange time – however she’s thrilled to be coming back for a full run…
Allen hopes people who saw her debut and who’ve enjoyed her live shows will come again – and she promises her new show will be worth your while.
“I’m not going to reveal what it is but eventually I come up with a brilliant white lie which will get you out of anything. So if you come and see the show you’ll get to find out what that is and you can use it yourself.”
Fiona Allen: White Lies, 18.00, Gilded Balloon, August 5 – 29
