Charly Clive: "I’m a cheeky little risk taker. I’m also deathly afraid of almost everything"

Like many of us, Charly Clive found her schooldays difficult. However the support of a good teacher would change her life.  

"I didn’t have a very easy time in school," Clive tells Square Mile. "One teacher in particular, Miss Watt, basically saved the whole experience for me by making the drama department my second home and encouraging me to write plays which led to me meeting my best friend which led to us writing comedy which led to all the rest."

'All the rest' includes a major role in Sky thriller The Lazarus Project and returning to Edinburgh this summer to perform her comedy double act. 

It's fair to say that Miss Watt deserves a gold star.  

Life 

What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about? 

I’m very excited for The Lazarus Project to come out! It comes out on Thursday 16th June and I’m really proud to be in it, it’s and brilliant. I remember reading the script and thinking ‘how the hell are they going to pull this off?’ and they have. It’s very cool.

I’m part of a comedy double act, with Ellen Robertson, named Britney and we are finally going back to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year after being stopped by the pandemic. We have a brand new show called Friends and Nothing More and we’re working on it now and previewing it. So far it’s been so much fun, I really think it might be our best show yet.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment? 

That I get to do comedy and it’s my job. I’ve loved comedy since I can remember. My Dad and I would watch old sketch shows and then I’d act them all out for him (he’s a very patient man).

I am proud that I grew up to do professionally what I loved so much as a kid and I love that my Dad still comes to all my shows but now they’re in theatres or on TV and not in the living room.

If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be? 

Nah, can’t think like this or my head will explode! What I will say is writers should get paid better. From my personal experience with writing it’s quite tricky to get paid when you’re starting out and people do expect you to do a lot of work for free.

Also dressing rooms, they always smell and I’d love that to change.

What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?

I think I would be a fantastic host for a travel show because I love travelling and I’m a cheeky little risk taker but I’m also deathly afraid of almost everything. We’d call it Scared Woman Who Loves Showing Off.

Also, I wish I was in a band. I’d like to start one with my friend David so if this goes to print I’ll send him a link.

Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?

I’m very lucky that I have had some teachers in my life who I consider instrumental in making me who I am today.

I didn’t have a very easy time in school and one teacher in particular, Miss Watt, basically saved the whole experience for me by making the drama department my second home and encouraging me to write plays which led to me meeting my best friend which led to us writing comedy which led to all the rest.

Also, Steve Martin. He is my comedy hero and the coolest guy on earth.

Tell us something nobody knows about you…

I cannot spell the word neseccary...

Style

What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?

I have a great coat that I wear all the time and feels like my signature piece. It’s second hand from Benneton and it’s glorious. I’ve had it for years and I feel so myself in it.

Favourite accessory – watch / jewellery / etc – and why is it special to you?

I don’t wear jewellery at all really so I guess scrunchies… hair scrunchies are a pretty reliable accessory for me. And belts.

What items do you take on holiday and why? 

Suncream. I’m a real SPF nag actually, I think I ruin beach experiences for my friends by chasing them around with Factor 50 but you gotta be safe!

And clothes! I take more clothes than one person would ever need for a short stay. Packing light is for cowards.

Is there an item you threw away – or lost – that you really miss?

I don’t really throw away clothes because I really love all my clothes so much but I’ve lost loads of good pieces by being a bit careless with things.

I also once swapped a priceless ACDC concert T-Shirt of my Mum’s for a Marks and Spencer jumper because I fancied the boy in the jumper and that’s still hard to live with.

What’s next on your shopping list? 

I’ve got my eye on some boots from Camper which I’ve wanted for a while. And comfortable shorts, I’m always on the hunt for shorts that I don’t regret

What would you buy if money was no object?

A circus.

The Lazarus Project is on Sky Max and Now from 16 June. Britney return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2022 with their brand-new show Friends And Nothing More, playing at the Pleasance Courtyard, Below this August from Wednesday 3rd until Monday 28th at 5:45pm (not 15th). Get your tickets here