Interview: Joe Kirkwood talks “A Guide to Therapy for Terrible People”

July 2023

Joe Kirkwood, shortlisted earlier this year for Brighton Fringe’s Best Newcomer Award, is bringing “A Guide to Therapy for Terrible People” to the Camden Fringe. This one-man stand up show will play at Aces and Eights on August 2nd, so I caught up with Joe ahead of the London gig to talk all things “Therapy for Terrible People”…

Let’s start at the start: tell me a little bit about the show.

A Guide to Therapy for Terrible People is a stand up comedy solo show about a mental breakdown I had last year. I’m using the show to convince my therapist that I’m too terrible for therapy to work on me, and therefore I shouldn’t have to go.

What’s the most important thing you want people to know about this show and its intentions?

It’s actually more positive than it sounds on paper! It seems like a very heavy subject, but there is loads of surrealism and silliness to it to balance that out! 

As a comedy, A Guide to Therapy for Terrible People has big laughs to deliver. How would you characterise the brand or style of the comedy in your show?

I would say a mixture of storytelling and surrealism. I love a good story it’s what got me started in comedy but I’m also a sucker for anything out of left field, especially if it makes sense…eventually. 

Can audiences expect light and dark?

There is definitely dark parts, but I think it’s all necessary, nothing gratuitous. I can’t just do jokes, there has to be a point to it all, so that’s where the light and dark comes from. 

Is there a specific USP that you think audiences will love when it comes to your A Guide to Therapy for Terrible People?

My show has a visit from Guinea Pig Jesus.

Sounds…promising! Quick-fire now then. You’re offering audiences big laughs with this show, so tell me: who makes you laugh most?

We are all funny in our own ways, we learn comedy with the people around us so I don’t think I’ve ever laughed more than with my family, they’re the best and will always be funnier than me. 

And the best show you’ve seen this year?

At Brighton Fringe I saw Dave Bibby’s Baby Dinosaur, which is a solo show about Jurassic Park and it’s outstanding. Innovative, hilarious and best of all Dave is a great guy. Really blessed to have met him. 

Dream role or venue to play?

The Bill Murray is pretty high up there, I think somewhere like The Comedy Store maybe? But I think I’d rather be on a podcast. Off Menu would be the dream, I have strong feelings about sparkling water.

And who wouldn’t want to hear that? So. The one thing you’d like the power to improve in the industry?

I think the industry can be so brutal, so I just want everyone to get along and not see it as a competition. If youre doing material thats unique to you, we’re all different, so there isnt a clash.

Also, making sure that comedy is a safe space for women, or every space for that matter but we haven’t got time to open that one today!

And finally, why should audiences come along to see A Guide to Therapy for Terrible People this August?

You will laugh, you may cry, and you might even forgive yourself. 

So there you have it! You can catch Joe Kirkwood’s “A Guide to Therapy for Terrible People” at Aces and Eights on August 2nd 2023 as part of the Camden Fringe – more information and tickets can be found here.