Interview: Comedy Legend Fatiha El-Ghorri talks to us ahead of her next London shows
We caught up with Taskmaster goddess Fatiha El-Ghorri to talk about her upcoming stand up comedy tour Cockney Stacking Doll.
Fatiha El-Ghorri | Leicester Square Theatre – 23 May (sold out) / Hackney Empire – 10 September | £19
Tell us about your new tour Cockney Stacking Doll. What can audiences expect from your full length shows after seeing snippets of your hilarity on shows like Taskmaster?
It’s about me, an intro to me where I talk about the different parts of my life and the experiences in my life.
What inspires you to make comedy about your Hackney muslim hijabi roots?
Because there aren’t many people who look like me on stage, people want to know more about me, about my accent, my hijab, my name so I’m just giving them what they want.
Tell us about your new dating themed radio pilot ‘A Match Made Inshallah‘ following it’s Valentine’s Day release on BBC Sounds?
Everyone wants love, including me but dating is really hard so I wanted to make a show about dating and I did it by going on an actually date with a guy, recording it and then doing standup about it… with his knowledge and consent of course!
What advice would you give those starting out in comedy or trying to increase their confidence?
Maybe do a course, I did one and it helps you to build confidence, build a comedy network and learn about how the comedy circuit works. I did a course and found it very useful and helpful.
Who are your comedy and life heroes?
I don’t really watch that much comedy but growing up I really liked French & Saunders, Desmond’s and the Real McCoy. I like Neil Brennan, an American comic.
My real life hero is my maternal grandmother. She was a very strong woman, a machine. She worked really hard to provide for her family during really difficult times.
What are your favourite London haunts? (to eat, to see shows, to relax)
To be honest, I love my flat, I love being at home. You travel a lot in the profession so aren’t at home a lot so when I do get to be at home, I really enjoy it. I love to get cosy on the sofa with a Nandos (sorry I know that’s boring) and a reality show like Love is Blind or Married at First Sight.
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
