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Riki Lindhome talks fertility in debut stand up show Dead Inside
Emmy-nominated actress, comedian, songwriter Riki Lindhome makes her Edinburgh debut with one-woman musical comedy Dead Inside. Exploring themes of motherhood, adoption and infertility through true stories and silly songs, the Big Bang Theory and Wednesday star offers a fresh perspective on a still taboo topic.
We caught up with the new mum to talk all things musical comedy, balancing poignant with silly, and being back in the UK.
Is this your first time performing in the UK? What are you most looking forward to about Britain, and British crowds?
European audiences are amazing. I played a comedy festival in Dublin in 2011 with my band, Garfunkel and Oates, and it was a blast. The crowd seemed excited, up for anything, and also would catch on to even the most subtle joke. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to play for Scottish audiences in Edinburgh.
What was the most challenging aspect of developing Dead Inside?
The most challenging aspect of writing my show was balancing the sensitive nature of infertility with the need to create an engaging and entertaining musical. Infertility is a deeply personal and often painful subject, and I wanted to ensure that the show handled it with the respect and sensitivity it deserves. At the same time, I needed to find ways to infuse humour into the narrative to make it enjoyable and relatable for the audience. Striking that balance between seriousness and light-heartedness, and ensuring the story remained authentic and heartfelt, was definitely a challenging but ultimately rewarding process.
How do you hope Dead Inside will impact those currently experiencing infertility or who have gone through similar journeys?
I hope my musical can offer a sense of solidarity and understanding to those who have gone through similar journeys. It's important for people to see their experiences represented in the arts, but infertility is a subject that is still taboo, misunderstood and highly secretive. I also hope people can just laugh and have fun.
Who are your biggest influences in comedy?
Weird Al Yankovich, the comedy troupe The State and Stephen Sondheim. And when I saw the dance scene from Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, I was like, that is my tone. I can’t quite define it, but almost everything I make is in the tone of that scene. I also love Emma Chambers, especially her performance in The Vicar of Dibley.
Given your extensive career in both comedy and music, how do you think audiences will react to this more personal and intimate show?
I hope they’ll see it as a natural evolution. As people grow and change, so does their material. And while this musical is a departure from my typical stuff, I hope audiences will welcome the honesty and vulnerability that comes with such a personal show. And I hope they’ll find it relatable, even if they haven't experienced infertility themselves. Comedy has always been a way for me to connect with people, and this project allows me to explore that connection in a whole new way.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and how does it compare to working on screen?
What I love about performing live is the immediate connection with the audience. There's an incredible energy in the room when you're on stage, and the interaction with the crowd creates a unique experience every night. The feedback is instant, and you can really feel the audience's reactions, which fuels your performance and makes each show special. Performing on screen is really fun (and honestly, easier) and you get to create a lasting piece of work.
However, you don't get that same rush of energy. Even though stage work is much more challenging for me, there’s something truly magical about the immediacy and intimacy of live performance.
Riki Lindhome – Dead Inside will be performed at 5pm at the Pleasance Courtyard (Beneath) from 31st July – 25th August (not 14th)
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