Shrew, Camden Comedy Club
We continue our Camden Fringe 2025 interview series with Frances Keyton, chatting about her Work-in-progress show Shrew, all about embracing sexual appetite – even if it’s your parents!
We’re aiming for 100 interviews to highlight the range of shows available at this year’s festival. You can find all the Camden Fringe interviews currently published here. We will be publishing new ones every day until 31 July.
An alumnus of Soho Comedy Labs Plus 2023, Frances was a finalist in Reading New Act of the Year 2024 (3rd), West End New Act of the Year 2022, Max Turner Prize 2022, SYTYF 2022, Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2022, and shortlisted for Funny Women Awards 2021 & BBC New Comedy Awards 2021. So she brings plenty of experience to Camden Comedy Club, where the show will play on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August (5pm both days, tickets here).
What can audiences expect from the show?
Frances used to be a nice Catholic girl who got straight As, played the violin and knew nothing about sex. But upon discovering that her dad writes erotica, her world became much more interesting… A work-in-progress for Frances’ debut hour, this is a show about embracing sexual appetite – even if it’s your parents!
‘Frances weaves between confident humour and openness with ease. There is space to not only laugh with her, but to laugh at some of the sexual encounters that we’ve all tumbled through in our twenties.’ (Broadway World)
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
I’ve performed Shrew at Machynlleth Comedy Festival, Aberystwyth Comedy Festival, The Museum of Comedy, and as part of MINGE FRINGE at the Vagina Museum !!! The show was sold out at the recent Machynlleth Comedy Festival which was very cool! I did Camden Fringe back in 2013 with my Uni Drama Society. I was playing a mime artist in an absurdist play. It will be great to return 12 years later with my first stand-up hour show!
What was your inspiration behind the show?
My own awkward experiences and hilarious turns of events.
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
Well, originally the show was a feminist exploration of identity and sexism, touching on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. But like with many great feminist works of art, the show is now mainly about sex and my dad. It is what it is. We move.
How important is audience interaction to you?
I’d say the show (and my fragile ego) DEPENDS on audience interaction, specifically: laughter. That would genuinely be the ideal scenario.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run– for you or the show?
Maybe Edinburgh Fringe next year if I become a millionaire overnight.
Who would play you in the Hollywood adaptation of your future autobiography?
Pedro Pascal
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be, and why?
(comedy) Gold
If you had to describe your show as a meal what would it be, and why?
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca – because the show is a story about my life. And just like this dish, my life is messy, spicy and a little bit slutty.
If your show had a soundtrack, what songs would definitely be on it, and why?
Guide me O, Thy Great Redeemer, because I grew up in Wales as a Catholic. Fire by Arthur Brown because of my dad’s erotic novel. And finally Spicy by Nas because the stories are HOT & SPICY MAMA.
If you could perform this show anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Mauritius because that’s where my boyfriend lives. (It’s complicated)
What’s the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show, and how did it come to be part of the production?
My dad’s erotic novel. It is the centrepiece of the show, and one of the reasons I started doing stand-up comedy.
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
A giant clitoris.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
If you enjoy yourself on stage, everyone else will enjoy themselves too.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
Go for it, what have you got to lose?
Many thanks to Frnces for her time to chat about Shrew. The show plays at Camden Comedy Club on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August.
