We recently chatted to comedian Oro Rose following their first trip to the Edinburgh Fringe where they reached the final of the So You Think You’re Funny? competition.
First off, thanks so much for speaking to us. Let’s start with a classic, what made you want to be a comedian?
Not at all – thanks for the invite!
Stand-up has always seemed like wizardry to me. In my teens and early 20’s, comedians were my rock-stars. I’m quite shy irl and I’ve always been in awe of anyone up there, effortlessly getting laughs (obviously I now know that it is so effort-full!) I’d never entertained the idea that I could actually be that guy. But as I’ve got older and a bit bolder, I did think – why not me? I still lose all my words meeting anyone new whose comedy is like magic though.
You graduated from the Jill Edwards comedy course here at Komedia in summer of 2023, what led you to doing the course and what did it teach you?
I had heard comics mention Jill’s course on podcasts and thought, worst case scenario, it would be a cool experience and I would get a glimpse at the hidden mechanics of standup. Fortunately, it turned out to be the best case because here we are! Honestly, it took me ages to take the plunge. Jill doesn’t know this – but I found an email where I was offered a place from the waiting list in 2019.
Jill is a legend. I’ve heard people say that writing comedy is like building a house. We all have the bricks, some of us have the will, but the first time is much easier with advice and direction from an honest and experienced contractor. Without Jill, I’d probs be spinning in the cement mixer…
Where was your first gig? How did it go?
My first gig in the wild was at ‘Free For All’ comedy in Hove, run by comedian Tony Coleman. I got a message at work asking if I wanted a last-minute spot that night, and got full-body cold sweats.
But, entering my big brave boy era, I said ‘yes please’ – and quite right because it was so fun! ‘Free For All’ doesn’t run anymore, but I recently bumped into lovely Tony at an afterparty on my last night in Edinburgh, which was a lush full-circle moment.
What has been your favourite gig in your career so far?
There are several that stand out, but it has to be my first ‘Comic Boom’ earlier this year.
I was born and raised in Brighton and have been coming to Komedia since I was a kid. Just this weekend my dad was doing impressions of Julian Barratt from a Mighty Boosh gig he went to there in the 90’s! It was a big deal for me, like playing at home. Not only that, but I was on a bill with absolute legends including Barry Ferns and Dan Tiernan!
Comic Boom is a brilliant and super fun night, and such an important tent-pole in Brighton’s comedy marquee! There’s nothing like the first time you make that room laugh as a newer act.
I’m back at Komedia for Boom on the 25th of September with a longer set, and I’m so buzzing to do it all again!
How would you describe your style of comedy, to someone who hasn’t seen you before?
Honestly, it’s still early days and I’m figuring out my style. I like to write from a place of mischievous curiosity; and I really admire acts like Josie Long, Julia Masli, and Rob Auton, who balance this with silliness and sincerity to connect with people and create shows that challenge optimistically.
I also live for watching clowning and precision nonsense of acts like John Luke Roberts, Joe Kent-Walters, and Lachlan Werner. And, of course, I’m standing on the shoulders of every queer/trans stand up I’ve ever seen – amazing comedians like Alok Vaid-Menon, Chloe Petts, Jordan Gray, Mae Martin…
At the moment, I’m enjoying playing lightly with my experience as a queer + trans person against my understanding of The Straights. This way I can draw out observations and questions that are funny to both demographics, while not ceding status for people like me (correct – we are the best, sorry about it).
You created ‘Alpha Petals’, a showcase of Brighton’s newest queer (gay) and queer (weird) stand-up comics, for Brighton Fringe this past May. How did it come about? And how was your experience of the Fringe?
The showcase was the brain-egg of myself and my comedy BFFL Craig Donaghy. We’re both gay weirdos with too many feelings and quietly strong convictions, and the goal was to create a show which celebrated that and platformed brand new queer/weird/worried comedy ‘petals’ in Brighton.
We led the charge, but Alpha Petals became a community project. Every petal contributed their skills and lots of energy, from editing reels to badge-making and causing havoc in the local garden centre…it’s still my favourite group chat tbh.
Congratulations on reaching the final of the So You Think You’re Funny? competition. How does it feel to make it to the final – especially considering there were over 400 applicants this year?
Thank you so much! I’m 100% still convincing myself it’s real-life. SYTYF at the Gilded Balloon is an absolute institution of UK comedy. I was very grateful that Julia Chamberlain gave me the opportunity to perform in the semi-finals in their amazing venue.
I was SO stunned when they announced that I’d won my heat in Edinburgh – I did have a little cry. I couldn’t believe I was a finalist! It mostly meant so much that Julia and Katy and Karen Koren enjoyed my stuff. I have so much respect for them all round. If anyone knows their onions in comedy, it’s these guys.
I’m really proud of my performance at the SYTF Final. I’ll remember the whole night forever as the most surreal, and most fun time!
I was also really moved by the support from my peers and pals from the comedy scene in Brighton. This is a great place to start out in comedy.
You were up at the Edinburgh Fringe for the SYTYF final, was this your first time at the Fringe? And how did you find it?
You know the scene in the original ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ film, where the kids walk into the room that’s all made of sweets with the chocolate river, and they all look like Christmas morning? That was me and Theo Litson (Alpha Petals), giddy as geese, sitting in the fizzing Pleasance Courtyard on day one. I’d never seen anything like it.
Edinburgh Fringe is a comedy nerd’s Disneyland. Every day I was a bit sleepy and overwhelmed, and walked tens of thousands of steps, but also I would like to live there forever plz ty.
What are your plans for the future?
I’ve never felt a visceral ambition like I do at the moment for stand up. Firstly, my plans are to lean into that, keep writing hard, and keep getting that stage time under my belt. Being a SYTYF finalist is a brilliant opportunity. I’m keen to use that momentum to set my stall out as a comedian, and play exciting new rooms across the UK!
