Lindsey Santoro is set to bring her trademark wit and vulnerability back to the Edinburgh Fringe, but she's not here to sugarcoat the harsh realities of life as a stand-up comedian. With a career that's seen its fair share of highs and lows – including a notorious gig at a motorway service station hotel where she had to battle for attention amidst the sounds of dinner being served and people eating with their backs to her – Santoro knows what it takes to succeed in this unforgiving industry.
That infamous five-minute set on a flat disco stage, complete with round tables facing away from her and a DJ setting up behind her, was a baptism by fire. And yet, despite the chaos, Santoro emerged with a valuable lesson: that some gigs are just plain tough, but it's how you respond to them that matters.
Her new show, 'It Was Like That When I Got Here', promises to be a raw and unvarnished exploration of her personality – and she's not afraid to own up to the problems she's caused. As she puts it, "These are my issues, because I've made them for myself." It's a refreshingly self-aware approach that will resonate deeply with fans who know her direct and humorous style all too well.
Despite her rising profile – including a nomination for best Edinburgh newcomer in 2023 and winning NextUp’s biggest award in comedy – Santoro admits to feeling the weight of expectation ahead of her Fringe run. It's like replaying a computer game, knowing where the 'hidden bits' are, but still feeling the pressure to be the 'prize pig'. Even her nan, who's not exactly a fan of her career choice, has chimed in – suggesting that Santoro should give up comedy and take up hairdressing instead. Talk about tough love!
Santoro also shared some of her pre-show rituals, which include chomping on a banana and doing squats to get herself pumped up for her energetic performances. And yes, she's started explaining these antics to her audience – after initial confusion from onlookers who thought she was about to break into some sort of bizarre comedy warm-up dance. Her candour extends to her pet peeves within the comedy world, particularly when people offer fake praise after a clearly bad gig.
Her admiration for fellow comedian Lee Evans, with his electrifying physical stage presence, is clear – and Santoro's own desire for dynamic performances is matched only by her awareness that her body doesn't always cooperate. It's a delicate balancing act, navigating the highs and lows of life on the comedy circuit while staying true to herself and her art.