Standup and immigration lawyer Sikisa: ‘I’m the hardest working act on the circuit’

The comedian on online trolls, her worst gig and breaking into the comedy industry from a working-class background

How did you get into comedy and cabaret?
I used to work behind the bar at the Cavendish Arms in Stockwell, south-west London, which runs live shows. I still technically work there. Most people have walked through those doors at some point in their comedy career. My boss said to me: “You’re slightly funny, why don’t you give it a go?” So I did. I met a lot of people who were doing cabaret too and, because I used to be a dancer, I decided to incorporate cabaret into what I do.

Can you recall a gig so bad it’s now funny?
I did a gig in a basement somewhere and died on my arse. There were quite a lot of alternative acts on. One was dressed in a priest outfit and throughout his set he was rocking back and forth. I was thinking, why is he doing that? Then his trousers dropped down and his penis whipped out. No one wants to see that.

Sikisa: Words in Progress is at the Pleasance, London, on 26 April

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/gbUS1Mn