This Is Spittle Rap

In a time when the world seems to be full to bursting of funny women, Alison Spittle still stands out as something special.

You could say it’s her sweetly brutal honesty, her country cunning, or you could say it’s the fact that, somehow, amidst almost nightly stand-up appearances, the Ballymore banterer produced in Nowhere Fast one of the best homegrown sitcoms of the last decade.

We’ve charted Alison’s rise and rise through the world of comedy in a previous interview – if you don’t believe us, check it out here – so, let’s just cut to the current tour. And once again, as with previous outings, the title is a gem – Alison Spittle Makes A Show Of Herself.

Sure, that’s nearly as goods as Alison Spittle: Worrier Princess. 

As the new show returns to The Whale on Saturday, February 9th, we finally managed to track down the increasingly-busy Alison for a quick chat. Having recently moved to London with boyfriend (and Nowhere Fast co-writer) Simon Mulholland, Spittle clearly has her sights set on the big lights. Also, she was mugged a total of six times whilst living in Dublin, two of those times home invasions.

Which may explain the short, sharp answers here. Always hard to concentrate on an answer when you keep checking over your shoulder…

From Chaplin to Emo Phillips, the line between comic persona and off-stage reality can be sometimes minute, sometimes massive – I get the impression the distance from Alison Spittle onstage and Alison Spittle in the pub isn’t that wide…
I guess so. I didn’t come up with a character to protect myself – I wish I did – but, I’d be lying if I said I don’t exaggerate aspects of my personality either. I try not to overthink it – you’d go mad.

Instantly recognisable is a good attribute for any artist to have – do you have to battle preconceptions very often, or are you happy to luxuriate in all things plainly Alison Spittle?
Ha ha, it depends on who’s holding the preconceptions. Everyone has to deal with that to a degree. Preconceptions can be used for humour.

When The Irish Times describes you as ‘half a knowingly hapless spirit guide, half a drawing-room raconteur’, do you relate instantly? Or scratch your head?
I thought the piece was lovely and I was taken back by the effort and care Una mullally took in the piece; it was an honour to be the subject of that. I just want to promote my tour.

There’s always a danger of removing the laughs when you analyse humour – do you get existential about your work, or do you prefer to let is surprise you too?
I’ve watched enough documentaries on comedy to know that people analysing comedy is unfunny, and also shines a light on how unimportant it is. Best off leaving some mystery.

Your name is appearing on bigger and bigger fonts in the world of comedy; all a cunning plan, or are you just bouncing along merrily, happy to be here now…?
A bit of both, but cunning would be giving me too much credit.

That move with Simon to faraway London in October – good career move, or were you just getting tired of being mugged in Dublin? 
I just give off that ‘please rob me’ air. Safe so far in London.

You were actually born in Harrow, London, moving to Ireland at the age of seven, spending most of those formative years in Ballymore, Co Westmeath. That nomadic childhood – always know that there was more to this world that Ballymore…?
Ballymore is great, but, yes.

Your pal, Kevin McGahern, reckons that mix of English and Irish breeds a certain kind of outsider-insider perspective, citing the likes of Steve Coogan and John Lydon alongside your fine self. Agree…?
Yes, he’s a very insightful man.

Those early years as a stand-up were cathartic, you’ve said – still feel like you’re primal screaming, or is life too good today for that kind of darkness…?
Trying to keep away from the primal screaming and paying for therapy.

Inspired by the mighty Maeve Higgins, you’ve so far done all your bullet points bar three – what are they…?
Keeping that to myself.

You hit the sitcom world running with Nowhere Fast, even if RTE didn’t go with a second series – keen to write and star again on more sitcoms? Dare you dream de Hollywood dream, even if it’s just the writers’ room?
To be in writers room would be an honour. I love collaborating with ambitious talented people. I’d love to go to LA, Samantha Mumba lives there.

Do you have Sharon Horgan-sized ambitions to be a one-woman chuckle factory, or are you happier without being responsible for a whole production team? Part of your disappointment for no Nowhere Fast 2 was letting down the 60 people involved in the show, right?
I’d be happy having as much creative control as I can. The number of people doesn’t interest me.

Ah, the joy of email questions. So personal, so tender, so revealing. You can check out the GG-approved Alison Spittle at The Whale on Saturday, February 9th right here.