Lily Phillips Is Crying (But Making It Funny) at the Edinburgh Fringe

In her bold, brutally funny new show Crying, comedian Lily Phillips dives headfirst into the messy, painful, and often completely absurd realities of early motherhood. From IVF and postnatal depression to the uncensored truth about childbirth, Phillips transforms personal trauma into taboo-busting comedy. Ahead of her Edinburgh Fringe run, Hinton Magazine caught up with Lily to talk about performing through the pain, why birth isn’t magical, and how comedy can crack open conversations that too often stay hidden in silence or whispers. 

Can you tell us a bit about Crying?It’s a show about having a baby. The title gives you a hint about what kind of experience I had. I give you the uncensored version of birth and the early months of a newborn, with a bit of IVF thrown in too. It’s basically the antenatal class you didn’t ask for, but you NEED!

What made you want to turn the often-hidden parts of early motherhood into comedy?

It wasn’t really a choice — I would tell anyone that would listen (and people that wouldn’t) about my traumatic birth. I felt like I’d been sold this perfect picture, so wanted to warn other people:‘Birth isn’t magical, it’s horrific!’But it was also a way of me processing what had happened. I remember feeling so grateful I was a stand-up, as I had a way of getting this stuff out of my brain — and then I could stop telling random women in Tesco about my episiotomy.

Crying talks openly about trauma, IVF, and postnatal depression. How do you balance honesty with humour?

Because all that stuff is actually hilarious — there is comedy in everything. Although at the time I wasn’t laughing, a part of my brain was storing it into a ‘possible future joke?’ file. I’ve also had to get comfortable in the uncomfortable spaces so that I can be really honest, say what I need to say, and then let the punchline break the tension. I’ve always been drawn to slightly taboo and often dark topics — I think it’s actually my happy place in comedy.

How do you want audiences — especially mothers — to feel when they leave your show?

Seen and drunk! New mums have come to see my previews as their first night out since having a baby, so they get wasted just looking at a glass of rosé. I want mothers to feel that however they feel is OK. I’m up there saying the worst things to open the door for them.So many women (who aren’t asleep on the table) come up to me afterwards telling me their own stories, which is so great to hear — although sometimes painful, and worrying that maternity care is getting worse and worse in the UK.

Do you think comedy is becoming a more open space for these kinds of stories?

Yes and no. Essentially, people who come to comedy just want to have a good night, and when I start banging on about epidurals, you can see the disappointment in their eyes. But usually I win them over — because yes, the show is about a serious topic, but basically I’m still just doing a load of gross vagina jokes.Or I don’t win them over, and that’s fine too. Some people just can’t laugh at something they don’t relate to. But in fact, it’s the most relatable topic — we’ve all been a part of at least one birth, right?There is a woman somewhere that is baggier because you exist!!!Something I like to scream at stag dos!

As an artist, what do you hope to take away from Edinburgh this year?

I want to come away with a solid show that gives an honest account of my IVF, birth, and early motherhood — that will hopefully enable other women to be more open without fear of judgement, share their stories so that others are more informed going into it, and we can have a real dialogue about it — not all this toxic positivity bullshit.And also I’d like loads of money and awards.

Lily Philips will be performing Crying from 30^th July – 12^th August at Monkey Barrell MB2. Tickets available HERE.