Rising NYC star Mary Beth Barone to perform her new standup show in Bristol

In her only UK date before the much-anticipated Edinburgh Fringe run of her new standup show Silly Little Girl, New York comic Mary Beth Barone will be headlining the biweekly standup night Comedy Loft at The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer on July 29.

By all accounts, Barone is a face to be reckoned with. Named in Time Out New York’s Women of The Year, she has a show on Comedy Central, has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, featured in Vulture and The Cut, and has a growing podcast audience for her show Obsessed, which she presents with her fellow comic and best friend Benito Skinner.

Her upcoming work-in-progress show will be her first in Bristol, promising to share “her checkered journey as an aspiring young starlet through to the present day, covering a range of topics like growing up in the 90s, her dating history, and of course, The Cold War”.

Poster for Mary Beth Barone – poster: Comedy Loft

For Comedy Loft organisers Martin Talbot, Lyle Kay and Chris Green, it’s a significant, and very exciting booking. The night will also feature support from Chelsea Birkby, Charlie Bowers and Millie Haswell.

Barone answered some quickfire questions for Bristol24/7, to learn a little more about what audiences can expect:

Can you sum up your own journey in standup to date?

“Chaotic good.”

What subjects are you currently most drawn to talking about on stage?

“My British boyfriend, bikini waxes, society.”

Mary Beth Barone, Silly Little Girl – photo: courtesy of Mary Beth Barone

Are you a confessional comic?

“Yes, I am definitely a confessional comic, which is both liberating and at times perhaps concerning. I find it much easier to talk about my personal life in excruciating detail on a stage in front of a room of strangers than anywhere else. Probably due to intimacy issues if I had to guess.”

Who are your peers within the US comedy landscape and beyond?

“I have so many amazing peers in comedy who I am lucky enough to call dear friends. Benito Skinner, Sydnee Washington, Phoebe Walsh, Meg Stalter, Julia Shiplett and Grace Kuhlenschmidt are some of my favourites.”

Can you describe your show Silly Little Girl? Was it cathartic to write?

“It is truly a look inside the mind of a young woman who will stop at nothing to become a star (that is until she gives up entirely at age 15). It’s a very revealing hour of comedy where I share things from my childhood I had never shown anyone before.

“It feels good to be able to give that silly little girl her moment in the spotlight. I think young Mary Beth would be obsessed with who she’s grown into.”

What expectations do you have for your debut Edinburgh Fringe?

“I’ve spoken to other American comics who have done the Fringe and describe it as equal parts overwhelming and exciting. I’m really looking forward to experiencing both! And wearing cute outfits.”

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Mary Beth Barone headlines Comedy Loft at The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer on July 29. Tickets are available at http://hdfst.uk/E74884. Her show Silly Little Girl is at the Edinburgh Fringe from August 3-15, and 17-28; tickets from www.tickets.edfringe.com.

Main photo: Jordan Ashleigh

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