Incoming: Leads & Stern on their 'comedy phase'

Sketch credentials ahoy: they present regular sketch night Feeling Sketchy up in Camden, and their Edinburgh offering this August is being directed by Lee Griffiths out of proud genital owners Late Night Gimp Fight.

 

Before we get down to interviewing, let's have a clip: 

 

 

And now, some questions:

 

Leads: My friends, Toby and Chris made me do it. I blame them. Although they can't take all the credit. Deep down I think I've always wanted to do comedy, ever since I was a baby. Before, even.

 

Stern: I’ve always been pretty much obsessed with comedy – or more precisely, laughing. I made various vain attempts to get into it over the years by writing lots and trying out stand up, but never really believed it could happen. Things just came together when I met Leads.

 

L: A double act of girls.

 

S: Erm (don’t count that): silly, surreal, fast-paced sketches.

 

S: Probably people laughing. That helps!

 

L: Someone I went to school with laughed her tits off when she heard I was doing comedy. Apparently I wasn't funny at school.

 

L: I'd say my mum, but she thinks its 'just a phase'. One year, in Edinburgh, I wore a Star Trek costume in the poster for the stand-up show I was doing. One man in the audience enjoyed that. I don't think anyone else noticed.

 

S: Yep, pathetically I would genuinely say my mum and dad!

 

L: That the audience will tell you if a joke is funny or not. Even if you really love it, if more than three audiences give it a chance and don't laugh at it, it has to go.

 

S: That it’s all about confidence.  And if you lack that, however good your material is, you’re screwed!

 

S: Go home, you’re drunk.

 

L: Never run with a knee injury.

 

S: I just Googled myself and I was a member of the French resistance and married to a very wealthy sugar manufacturer.

 

L: There is a singer called Gemma Ray and her album is called 'The Leader'. She comes up a lot if you Google me. 

 

S: I actually always rather liked the widely-slated Thin Blue Line. Mainly because I love Rowan Atkinson.  And I love Friends.  It’s actually brilliant!

 

L: You've Been Framed.

 

S: Ed Eales-White. And I really like Allnutt and Simpson.

 

L: Ed Eales-White, Sheeps, Leisa Rea, Jen Brister.

 

S: I’m an animation producer for commercials. Imagine an animated cereal ad and it’s probably got my name on it!

 

L: I work at the Soho Theatre. Come and see me, if you're ever in that part of town!

 

 

Actually we're not sure if that last answer was just for our benefit or an open invite for everyone. Probably the second? Hopefully the second. See you there, everybody!

 

You can see Leads and Stern at the Underbelly Cowgate from 2-26 August at 17:00, which you can find more out about over here.