Juliette Burton: "It's all about perception"

It’s a rare find on the Fringe: a show with a heart. And not just that – this one’s got soul too. Comic, actress and journalist Juliette Burton has traipsed the yellow brick road, and has emerged from Oz with a show brimming with a sense of self and purpose, creating an original piece of docu-comedy like no other. Last year’s When I Grow Up took audiences on a harrowing autobiographical trip through her darkest times, exposing her life as both a recovering anorexic and mental illness sufferer, yet without robbing from the laughter or scrimping on the seriousness of the message. Juliette seems to have an innate knowledge of the golden ratio that leaves crowds both wowed and feeling better about life.

2014 sees the birth of Look at Me, Juliette’s second ambitious solo hour on the Fringe,.a show that considers perceptions and appearances in a way that comedy has so far failed to address. There will be music, prosthetics, hijabs, octogenarianism and nudity in an hour that will tickle you while questioning how we see others and ourselves. In the spirit of such frankness, I took the opportunity to ask Juliette about her relationship with body image, entrenched cultural stereotypes, and comedy’s role in challenging an audience.

“I was a very overweight child with goofy teeth and B.O. problems – just charming for a pre-pubescent. Then when puberty hit, 'it' hit the fan. I learned to hate my body and distance myself from it. I struggled badly with anorexia and compulsive overeating which led to me going from four stone to nineteen stone in the space of a few months. I was sectioned and in and out of hospital many times in my teens and early 20s.

“I started getting tired of being judged on my appearance – whether I was fat, thin or healthy-looking. 'How can you be struggling – you look like you’re coping so well.' And the more I spoke to friends with physical disabilities or illnesses or mental health problems, the more I realised that none of us are what we seem.

“Like any performer or Edinburgh Fringe show – it’s all about perception. How we’re perceived by other people is rarely how we perceive ourselves. We’re all putting a certain image out there – a façade. How true that image is (or not) is down to how brave we want to be. I’d like to try and play with that; tear it down a bit and get people thinking.”

At this point the interview reaches under my skin, in a way that no conversation with a comic ever has. Sure, it’s no great secret that comics often unwillingly sup from the murkiest pools of the human pysche, but the earnestness of Juliette’s confessional probes at something I’ve done my best to lock away: an almost lifelong relationship with an eating disorder and all the unpleasant mental trimmings that go with it. This resonates; and it won’t just be with me. I ask her about harmful stereotypes and how that’s shaped her life so far.

"I’ve held Miss Piggy up as a great role model" – JULIETTE BURTon

“When I was first diagnosed with mental health problems I encountered a lot of prejudice and people pandered to stereotypes – for example, in the workplace. I felt as though people assumed I couldn’t do a good job if I had these 'episodes' of depression. Or when my eating disorders were first diagnosed, some people thought it was 'just attention-seeking.' The worst thing is that this kind of attitude means you end up feeling more isolated, more alone, less likely to reach out and more uncertain that those attitudes are wrong.”

“It was only when I worked for the BBC that I was actively asked how they could help me best manage my issues; when I started being offered support even when I wasn’t aware I needed it; that was when I started to really fulfill my potential.

“And as a woman I get a lot of people treating me in a stereotyped – everyday sexism, casual misogyny – way, but I’ve got more fellow feminists who also, like me, have fun in subverting expectations people have of 'girls.' I’ve held Miss Piggy up as a great role model – feminine and feminist at the same time. I’m keen to use that same moxie to challenge people’s views of those with mental health problems, physical differences… and my own self-stigma, too.”

In a show that wears the shoes of so many often stereotyped identities, I’m keen to know if the investigative process unearthed any prejudices of her own.

“Actually, yes. It surprised me. I was extremely careful on Sexy Day (when I dressed revealingly) and Hijab Day (when I wore the hijab) and Fat Day (when I returned to my obese self) to avoid any prejudices or cheap gags. I also researched heavily into the Everday Sexism campaign and the #YesAllWomen campaign to be as informed as possible about the experiences I encountered. And on Hijab Day I wanted to be as informed as possible before dressing that way so I spoke with a Muslim Women’s Association.

"But when it came to Old Day I realised I was more than happy to pretend I was confused or make jokes about having Alzheimer's. When I realised how I was behaving I was shocked at myself. Why did I stoop to that level of assuming all older people get like that? It was probably because I’m scared of ageing, scared of becoming like that or those I love becoming like that. So joking about it, like with all scary things, kind of lessened the fear.”

Knowing the extraordinary lengths gone to to prepare the show, after extensively touring her previous one, it’s incredible to think Juliette has managed to create not only a cracking comedy hour, but one with sensitivity and genuine insight. It’s clear her journalistic bent is the backbone of what she does; so what surprised her most during her research?

“The way people treated me on some of the days truly shocked me. And it was surprising to observe the powerful effect the way people treated me had on the way I felt inside. 

“I was also surprised that at the end of each day I couldn’t wait to get back to being 'me.' My own body was the one I was so relieved to come home to.”

Research for the show involved extensive work with the facial disfigurement charity Changing Faces, body dysmorphic disorder charity B.O.D.Y., the eating disorder charity B-Eat and the Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh: organisations that do incredible work, and yet the average Jane Doe might be oblivious to. I wonder how important she feels it is to publicly discuss prejudice, and if comedy might help?

“To be able to start a dialogue about all kinds of difficult subjects is so important; for all of us to hear different points of view and become more informed. Understanding leads to acceptance.

“I’ve seen how vital it is to challenge people’s assumptions, break down stigma and seek real equality – not just for people like me with mental health problems, but for those with very different, non-regulation physical appearances, those with hidden illnesses, people of different races, backgrounds, ages.

“Comedy is the ideal tool to discuss anything difficult to deal with. If I can be entertained at the same time as being made to think then my mind can be opened to new perspectives and my perceptions can be completely changed.”

How many other shows feature thalidomide, the physically disabled, cystic fibrosis sufferers, cancer patients, obese people, girls who self-harm, models, 70 year old women, a range of ages, races and genders – but for all the right reasons, instead of piggybacking life’s dice-rolling for the sake of an easy gag? This show will speak to people far outside the sometimes parochial comedy demographic. I finish up by asking Juliette what she hopes people will take from her hour.

“I hope people think twice about first impressions. But more than anything I hope, whether they like the show or not, they leave feeling more positive and more alive – ready to face the Fringe knowing how amazing they and their bodies are.”

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More on Juliette Burton at Edinburgh Fringe Festival:

'Look at Me' Juliette Burton Fringe show review / 'When I Grow up' Juliette Burton Fringe show review / Juliette Burton: How to crowdfund a Fringe show / Juliette Burton: The Loveliest Revolution / Mace and Burton at Fringe: Rom Com Con / Fringe review of Rom Com Con by Mace and Burton