The Hour

The teachers at school always used to say that Sarah Millican talked too much. She always had good grades but her report cards complained about her constant talking.

Now, she is putting her chatty nature to good use by starring in her own show at the Edinburgh Festival fringe.

She explains, ‘I had never thought about getting into comedy. Then I got divorced and all of a sudden I could do anything I liked so I got on a stage and told all my personal stuff to strangers. My ex didn’t love me but the crowd did!’

The show deals with her admission that Not very good at being a woman. I mean, I’ve got all the right bits but I don’t think I’m a real woman. I read magazines. I see how I'm supposed to be, wearing make-up that lasts all day and being able to change a day outfit into a night one with some well chosen high-waisted city shorts and the flick of a neutral clasp bag. In this respect, and the following, I really am a rubbish woman.’

Her debut Edinburgh Festival Fringe show Sarah Millican's Not Nice, based around her divorce, won the ‘if’ comedy award for Best Newcomer in 2008. In Spring 2009 she began previewing her second Edinburgh show (Typical Woman), attracting enthusiastic reviews for her material on the differences between men and women. Many reviewers commented on her 'blue' material. ‘Typical Woman’ ran at the Pleasance throughout August 2009, also attracting positive reviews.

Now she returns to the scene of her past triumph with her highly rated new show Chatterbox.

‘Being a woman is all about time really, isn't it? Who has the time to learn 'eyeliner' with deadlines to meet? And isn't it more important to get more sleep than spend 20 mins preparing your face before bed. Of course, I'll probably regret this when my face falls off at 40. Either that or it was all a lie and I'd be better spending my toner time eating cakes.’

Chatterbox runs from August 6-29 at The Stand comedy club in Edinburgh