Comedy

NEW FEATURE: Today’s Featured Comedian – INTERVIEW – Heli Pärna

 

Tell us about: 

Your latest stand up show:

Just finished Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the first time and on my way to Tallinn Fringe for 3 nights! 

Your favourite joke you have created:

The one I call “The Seal” 

Your favourite venue to perform at:

Heldeke in Tallinn. If you know, you know

The joke that was the longest to write and why?

Honestly, I don’t really know, I feel like all my jokes and sets have grown quite organically and I think that it is a continuous process of adjusting. But I will say that having now been doing my solo show for 1 year, I was surprised that it just now feels like it is “complete”.

Obviously I had a great show already and I was really proud of it, but during the Edinburgh Fringe, being surrounded by so many artists and getting inspired by amazing show, there was just a new level that I reached. 

Comedy hero:

Danny Bhoy! There was not much stand up around when I was younger and from what I remember, I always felt like stand up was just puns. Thanks to YouTube I started watching his clips and discovering a whole new form of storytelling. 

Dream venue to play at:

Apollo? I have just watched a lot of Live at The Apollo. But it’s more about the audience than the venue

Describe the feeling you get when you walk on stage to do a show:

Confident, excited, at peace and I suppose it is a feeling that comes closest to what we might describe as being authentic. Having said that though, there are some preparations that I need to make in order to get into that headspace. I can always tell when I miss those preparations. 

The hardest joke to perform and why:

Hmm… Depends. On a technical level, probably the one where I try to imitate a character from The Lord of the Rings and that is always a bit scary just because I am never sure if I am pulling it off and imitation is not my strongest talent. But also, my work comes from a personal place, so it can feel really vulnerable at times talking about specific elements of my life. It’s really raw and you are exposing yourself to a room of strangers. 

Essential items you always take on tour with you?

A notebook! I take one with me everywhere, to be honest! Comfortable clothes and a good mood?

Describe your fans in three words:

My mom, friends and family

What we can look forward to from you this year:

Good question! Last couple of years have honestly been insane in both the best and the worst way, so I am not thinking too much ahead.

I have a mini tour in the Netherlands in September and will be coming back to the UK to perform in Manchester in October. Other than that, I am looking forward to reigniting the Funny Women Brussels shows and doing some writing at the end of this year.

2025 is still a bit of a question mark, but I am looking forward to what new exciting adventures might be around the corner and any new opportunities to perform The Adventures of the White Unicorn.


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