In their fourth year at The Fringe, violently funny trio The Boom Jennies – consisting of Lizzie Bates, Anna Emerson and Catriona Knox – prove they have mastered the art of boisterous comedy. The politically confused all-female collective from London are probably the most popular women in Edinburgh at the moment. Not that they’d know it – they’re too busy observing the world so they can show us just how silly we are. Their thigh-slapping monthly sketch-show at the Canal Café Theatre combines boundless physical energy with a charm so offbeat you want to chase it down the road…

Dazed Digital: What are The Boom Jennies all about?
Anna Emerson: We’re about fun, original quirky comedy, squirrels and horses talking about the Olympics: that kind of thing.
Lizzy Bates: Awkwardness is a big thing for us. Boyfriends breaking up with you, among other sticky social situations.

DD:
 Who or what will be the next big thing to come out of Edinburgh?

Lizzy Bates: Without a doubt it will be Colin Hoult. He does absurdist character comedy and is definitely going places. Also Nick Mohammed who does a character called Mr Swallow: a silly man who tours the country giving conferences on how to improve your memory.
Anna Emerson: It could be us. We’ve got a show that we’re really proud of and it showcases the best of our writing and performing. This year the audience has loved every minute.

DD: What is the most satisfying thing about being an all female sketch group?

Lizzy Bates: Lots of people ask us, ‘Did you write that?’ and it feels good to say yes. People don’t expect girls to be funny, so it’s nice when you get some recognition for it.

DD: What’s the best piece of advice you've ever heard?

Anna Emerson: Be true to what you think is funny and if you commit to it, it will work.
Lizzy Bates: Our director said to us last year – you need to sell your show every minute you’re on stage. We enjoy it so much and piss ourselves all the time so we must be selling it.
Anna Emerson: Actually that was much better advice, yes: put that down.

DD: What’s the most important thing for a group of female comediennes to remember?

Lizzy Bates: Don’t write comedy about being girls. It should be funny because it’s funny, not because you’re girls. Don’t try and look fit – make a dick of yourself.
Anna Emerson: We don’t just focus on girl things we try to include things that we think are funny for everyone. Let the gender thing speak for itself.

DD: What’s the most inspiring thing you've ever seen?

Lizzy Bates: We Are Klang. They’re ridiculous.
Anna Emerson: Definitely and willing to make fools of themselves in such a joyous way. They’re having so much fun.

DD: What’s the stupidest thing you've ever done?

Anna Emerson: The Riverdance sketch. We came on one at a time, forming a Riverdance line. I came on drinking a litre of yoghurt. There was a bit we had to clap and, well, it went everywhere. We were told that we could never do the sketch again.
Lizzy Bates: The theatre changed all their contracts after that.

DD: What’s the next big thing for the Boom Jennies?
Lizzy Bates: After Edinburgh, we’ll be back in London, developing a script for radio and doing larger shows around London.
Anna Emerson: Earlier this year, we were developing a sitcom idea and had to put it on hold but we’re going to return to that.

DD: What’s the point?

Lizzy Bates: Getting lots of sleep and making my dad laugh. He thinks I’m bloody funny.
Anna Emerson: Having good relationships with people you care about.


The Boom Jennies will be playing the Pleasance Courtyard (60 Pleasance, EH8 9TJ) until 30th of August