Melbourne Fringe Festival started this week and we sat down with Roisin McAlinden ahead of her festival return. After selling out at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and receiving rave reviews, Roisin reveals the inspiration behind the show and what you can expect from the show.
Your upcoming show is called “Fairytale: Ending”, what’s your favourite fairytale character?
I loved Snow White growing up. I think she was more savvy than people give her credit for. Shacking up with 7 diamond miners sounds like a great life plan in this economy.
What celebrity would love this show?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, because it’s just the right mix of dark humour, vulnerability and filth.
How would you describe your style of comedy/performance to someone who’s never seen you before
Cheeky and confessional with a touch of darkness. I love comedy that makes us laugh while helping us to understand something better about our shared human experience.
What was the initial inspiration to create this show?
I had just come out of an awful, coercive relationship. Anyone who has experienced emotional abuse will know that the feeling it leaves you with is confusion. I didn’t know what was real anymore. Writing started as a way to regain some grip on reality. As I wrote about falling for someone who appeared to be my rescuer only to find myself increasingly dependent on them, a narrative appeared. I wanted to explore how this myth of the knight in shining armour can leave women vulnerable, because we are waiting to find happiness from someone outside of ourselves.
How do you want audiences to feel after seeing your show?
I hope they leave feeling enlightened, ready to reflect on the stories that shape our ideas of love and how these show up in our adult relationships. And also some catharsis, having laughed and connected over the messiness of it all.
If you could perform this show anywhere, where would it be?
Maybe on a tropical island while someone brings me piña coladas? Or Edinburgh Fringe, I would love to mame it over there.
Do you have any pre-show rituals? If so, what are they?
I like to do some stretching and tapping on accupressure points to get into my body. Then just deep breathing and reminding myself that it’s all about having fun! If I am having fun I know the audience will too.
Don’t miss out on seeing Roisin McAlinden’s Fairytale: Ending at Bard’s Apothecary this Fringe. Tickets are on sale here. And make sure to follow Roisin on insta to keep up to date.
