INTERVIEW: No Worries If Not

At roughly the same time, about three years ago, four females started bringing their jokes to the stage; they quickly became friends and created a group chat discussing the trials and tribulations of being female stand ups. All have grown massively since and are now gearing up for a performance at the Newcastle Fringe. I spoke to the collective, which goes by the name of No Worries If Not, about their past, present and future plans.

“We are Alex Redman, Kelly Rickard, Kelly Edgar and Kerris Gibson, four ladies of wit, modest means, and considerable timing. Together, we are No Worries If Not; a comedy assemblage of vivacity. Picture a girl band formed not to sing, but to speak through the means of humour. We wear too much lipstick, speak far too plainly, and shall not be discouraged from doing so,” explains Kerris.

Having come together through a mutual wish to share a stage together at the Newcastle Fringe Festival, the four linked arms and instead of waiting for an offer, built a stage themselves. “No Worries If Not is both an act of artistic rebellion and a reunion of great minds. We adore each other’s work not only out of friendship (though we do adore one another), but out of profound admiration. Our goal is simple: to bring forth joyful, shameless and finely-crafted stand-up.”

Alex, Kelly, Kelly, and Kerris create from different perspectives, having lived different lives, but share in sensibility and will only partly live up to the expectation many have of female comedians; there will be jokes about periods, but there will be so much more than that. “We have each lived different lives, weathered distinct storms, and developed voices as varied as our hairstyles. What binds us is our belief that comedy is not merely amusement, but communion. To us, laughter is a language of survival.” They aim to bring their audience together and have everyone feel seen and understood.

When talking about the way they came together and formed the collective, they emphasised the importance of women entering the stage: “When onewoman stands on stage and dares to be wholly herself, she leaves the door open behind her. When we gather together it sends a message louder than any heckle: we deserve to be here.” No Worries If Not highlights not just the importance of hilarious women sharing passion and laughter, but also the importance of taking care of each other (“We fix each other’s make-up before a gig”) but also taking the stage not just for themselves, but for those that will follow after them. The title No Worries If Not came from a simple and taught politeness, yet their stage presence is less polite, and very much a contradiction. “The delightful and disobedient duality of being deeply apologetic while also daring to stand out. We adore the noble art of being a bit too much. Expect mischief. Expect sparkle. Expect four women so polite we may spend the full hour insisting the others go first…” They are bold and utterly magnetic, fitting right in within the North East comedy scene.

No Worries If Not perform at The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle on Wednesday 23rd July as part of Newcastle Fringe Festival.