Words: Claire Smith

You’re telling quite the story in your show Marjolein Robertson: O

The show is about periods and about how when I was 16 I had a period that was so bad I could have died. I have something called adenomyosis which is where the womb lining stitches to the muscles. You’re embarrassed and there’s this shame about it – that’s what almost killed me.

And it’s part of a trilogy?

Yes. My first Fringe show Marj was a story about domestic abuse – it was a stand up show which also incorporated a Shetland story about a Selkie. I wanted to do three shows about the Mind, the Body and the Spirit, which would all also incorporate a folk tale. So this show is about the Body.

How has being from Shetland contributed to your style of comedy?

Because it is an island people often put on their own shows and make their own fun. I’m a
musician, I play the fiddle, and there’ll always be jokes when people introduce their songs.
So many of Shetland folk tales are just well told jokes.

So how did you get serious about stand up?

I used to do the Fringe every year doing five minutes, then doing ten – then I realised I
would never be a comedian unless I moved south to Edinburgh so I could tour the country.
There’s nothing like being on stage regularly. It’s like being a musician. You have to do it
regularly.

What does it mean to be bringing your second hour to the Fringe?

I love it. I get to be exactly who I want to be on stage. I get to be weird and unsettling.
People often say my style is surreal. Ninety per cent of what I say is true but people don’t
believe it. People used to say women aren’t funny and just talk about their periods. But I’m
going to talk about my period for an hour and it is going to be very funny.

Marjolein Robertson: O
Monkey Barrel Comedy, The Hive (1)
17:40
Jul 30-31 Aug 1-11, 13-25