Charlie Vero-Martin: Work-In-Progress, The Bill Murray
As July reaches its midpoint, so do we with our Camden Fringe Interviews. We’re well on our way to our target of publishing 100 different interviews to show the range and variety on offer at London’s premiere theatre festival.
Next up, we chat to Charlie Vero-Martin about her upcoming work-in-progress stand-up show that she will be bringing to the Bill Murray for one night only on Sunday August. Well, one later afternoon really, as it is a 5.30pm start.
Seen on BBC Scotland and Next Up Comedy, Charlie is an exciting rising star in the alternative comedy world. If you love comedy that’s smart, silly, and a little bit weird, this is the show for you. Catch this work-in-progress now before it’s a smash hit! You can find more information and book tickets here.
You can find all our Camden Fringe interviews here.
What can audiences expect from the show?
This is a brand-new experimental stand-up show. I have created four solo character comedy shows that I have performed across the UK including at Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre. They were full of characters, props, puppets, tech and costumes. But this show is exclusively stand-up. It’s completely stripped back and therefore a very new direction for me. There will still be lots of improvising and story telling, audience participation and some strange twists but coming from me – Scottish Comedian, Charlie Vero-Martin – and not an alter ego! This hour is a work-in-progress so I will be improvising material live and developing the show in front of your eyes.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
Yes and no… I did an hour WIP in February at the Leicester Comedy Festival and will be doing another on the 13 July at the Greater Manchester Fringe BUT with both of those shows I’m workshopping material as I go. The back wall is covered with tons of post-its each with a funny idea that I then improvise around live on stage. The show has therefore evolved and will continue to do so but I’m excited to finally be finding the shape of what this will become and try it with a fresh audience at the Bill Murray.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
After my 2023 solo show, Picnic, I took a “year off” from writing/performing. I wanted to reset. Over that time I realised that I didn’t want to do another character comedy show – partly because it’s a lot of work carrying around the props! I’ve always loved stand-up and I found that I was enjoying more than ever being myself on stage. The inspiration was therefore more of a challenge to see if I could perform for an hour as myself in a stripped back environment. It feels different and therefore more risky, which is why I’m excited to develop this show further.
How challenging has this role been for you?
It’s always a strange process working on a solo show, especially at the beginning when you’re not quite sure what it is yet. I love working with other people, bouncing ideas around and problem solving. I’m sure there will be lots of that to come!
How important is audience interaction to you?
The audience is everything. I find it bizarre – especially in comedy – when the performers aren’t sensitive to the audience. If they’re not enjoying it or at least engaged then you’d be as well talking to yourself in your bedroom! All of my work is rooted in improv and clown so the audience are a part of the show from the start. This is particularly true for a work-in-progress. The audience will ultimately have the final say as to what stays and what the show becomes.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run– for you or the show?
There’s a possibility this will become a new solo show for Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
If your show had a soundtrack, what songs would definitely be on it, and why?
Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox because I always listen to it before I go on stage.
If you could perform this show anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
New Zealand. I’d love to go to all the comedy festivals in New Zealand and Australia as I’ve never been before. Perhaps if I never do Edinburgh again and continue to pack zero props, I can afford it!
What’s the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show, and how did it come to be part of the production?
As I say, I’m trying to have no props but I do wear a T-shirt that was given to me by my best friend in 2007 which is for the 2007 Palnackie World Flounder Tramping Championships. It’s the greatest t-shirt ever.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
I recently did a workshop with Rachel Mars from Told by an Idiot and she got us to write a list of things that feel “audacious” for our shows. I’ve often been told to write lists of hopes/dreams/goals/fears but this had a totally different flavour. I found it really liberating and revealing.
Thanks to Charlie for taking time out of writing post-it notes to chat with us. He will be performing at The Bill Murray on Sunday 10 August at 5.30pm.
You can find out more about Charlie’s work on their website here.
