Over-30s are not damaged goods, says Muswell Hill star

A trip to the hairdressers inspired the latest show by Muswell Hill comedian Tiffany Stevenson, which will find her stirring up some laughs and thoughts about the process of ageing.

The show, entitled Uncomfortably Numb, is on at the Soho Theatre this month.

“I’m really excited to have a show in Soho and I’m also really excited just because I love the show,” says Stevenson.

“I talk about the theme of getting older and want to challenge the assumption that, once you’re over 30, you’re somehow damaged goods.”

Her stand-up career began in 2006 after TV appearances with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry and she has been enjoying rising popularity ever since.

“I’ve had young girls around the age of 17 tell me after my show that they felt happy to be a woman and it’s nice to know that younger people find the show inspiring.”

“Last night, I had a group of fans who had come specifically to see me, which was really great.”

Stevenson is currently appearing on John Bishop’s Only Joking on Sky 1 in addition to her upcoming show which, she says, will be more than simply a good laugh. “Speaking out against the instant gratification of culture is one of my goals, as well as dealing with issues like racism, politics and class differences.”

Award winner

Even as the winner of the prestigious 2012 Spirit of the Fringe Award, Stevenson still sees herself as an average, working-class tradesperson enjoying the amenities of north London.

“North London is really quite an artistic community and we actually call Muswell Hill ‘clown town’ because there’s so many comics that live there.

“I guess Muswell Hill brings out the working class in me. Though they have added a Poundland since I’ve been here – so maybe I’m bringing down the neighbourhood.”

Stevenson loves the open spaces and quiet nature of the area as well as the inspirational nature of places like Highgate Cemetery.

And it is that inspiration that has taken her back to the stage, where she hopes to tackle, through laughter, the real problems of our culture.

Comedy is a tool that Stevenson uses to comment on larger issues, like those in Uncomfortably Numb, and believes the flexibility and immediacy of the medium is its greatest strength.

“The beauty of comedy is being able to have an idea at lunchtime and perform it that evening,” she says. “It’s so instant, that it can be very topical, very political, it’s a very engaging artform.”

n Uncomfortably Numb is at the Soho Theatre from April 17 to 20.