Firebrand

On stage is the safest place

Julie-Anne Barnes Ex- Scottish Socialist MSP Rosie Kane says her former career as a politician was the perfect training for her new one as a stand-up comic.

Rosie, who is back on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this month, said: “Being a parliamentarian gave me the bottle to do it.

“One helped the other and helped me as a person. I was a typical class clown.

“In school, f itting in was easier if you were funny because I wasn’t very strong. So I was funny and gallus. But becoming a pol itician happened by accident. You need to have comedy and a sense of humour for direct action.

“So I think my style was refined during that time.”

Rosie first per f o rmed on stage as she fought back f rom depression. She joined a women’s theatre group and comedy helped her through her anxiety.

She said: “I’m a hell of a storyteller and if I have an audience, I’m an out-and-out show-off.

“We did a fundraiser for the group and I did a full 90 minutes in the Tron theatre.

“Del ivering a pol it ical message from a stage to a captive audience via humour is the best method I’ve found so far. My entire show is a journey through politics by stealth.”

Rosie attracted a full house and decided she wanted to pursue comedy.

She said: “I went to pubs and did charity gigs. My brother suggested I throw in a few songs. Before I knew it, people asked me to come and do a slot.

“It’s great to be performing at the festival. I have some other dates pencilled in at the Yes Cafe

I was a real class clown. In school, fitting in was easy if you were funny