Rachel Fairburn, co-host of the award winning comedy podcast All Killa No Filla, heads to Blackpool on the 19th of October to film her stand up show, Showgirl.
Ensuring that video won’t kill this radio star, Fairburn is set to perform her sharp observational comedy in style, adorned in the sequinned costume that inspired the show. Fairburn’s outfit is reflective of the stereotypical vision of Blackpool but, much like the town itself, audiences shouldn’t be fooled into thinking this showgirl is to be taken at face value.
Fairburn’s work is complex and multi-layered. She is able to discuss far-spanning topics with sharp precision, whether that is serial killers, air fryers or the UK’s social divide. But her working-class background and Mancunian accent has sometimes meant that Fairburn’s observations have occasionally been overlooked.
“The problem when you are working class and have a working-class accent people assume that you’re stupid. So it’s a bit of a shock for them to learn that you’re not and then they need to get over that prejudice they’ve had,” she said in an interview for Broadway World.
But after featuring on shows such as Live At The Apollo (BBC), Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (Dave), Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC) and Russell Howard Hour Life Lesson (Sky) she is building up a presence that cannot be ignored.
Reaching out to Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust to donate a poster of her show, it’s clear that Rachel is well aware of Blackpool’s own multitudes too. Her poster, which features the iconic Blackpool Tower on a cold and blustery day, rather than on one of those rare, picture perfect spells of sunshine, is a familiar vantage to locals and frequent visitors.
People say Blackpool is the Las Vegas of the North but I’ve been to Vegas… You can’t get rude shaped rock and chips and gravy.
When asked about her connection to Blackpool Fairburn said: “I’ve been going to Blackpool almost every year since childhood. It’s so much excitement in one place. To me, it’s fun and down to earth glamour. People say Blackpool is the Las Vegas of the North but I’ve been to Vegas and I’d say Vegas is almost the Blackpool of America. You can’t get rude shaped rock and chips and gravy in Vegas.”
Hoping to soak up a little of Blackpool’s performance history before engaging with its residents and tourists, Fairburn also plans to walk amongst the glamorous costumes of yesteryear displayed in Showtown while here.
Throughout her performance of Showgirl she will cast her acerbic eye over everything from your children to her pretentious new alcohol-free life. She is worried that she has mellowed a bit – she carries a lucky crystal now. Catch her on North Pier before she disappears to the countryside with only joss sticks and taxidermy for company.
Get your tickets for Rachel Fairburn – Showgirl at the Joe Longthorne Studio on 19th October here.
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