Interview: Lubna Kerr, Chatterbox

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with Lubna Kerr about her production, Chatterbox.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far

I’m actually an NHS pharmacist. One of my roles was to teach people about healthy lifestyles in order to cut the risk of heart disease. Then I had a heart attack. 

There I was, a middle aged Pakistani Scottish healthcare worker, lying in hospital realising life is short and wondering what to do with the rest of mine.

The answer was obvious – go on stage as a comedian.

So in 2013 I started writing my one-woman comedy shows, performing round the UK and even in the USA.

Later I wrote my first play Tickbox and its updated version Tickbox 2 which is currently touring the UK. Last year it received four-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe and was nominated for the Filipa Brancanga award. Tickbox 2 made its West End debut at the Seven Dials theatre this February.

Chatterbox is my second play and can be seen at the Pleasance Courtyard this August at the Fringe.

I suppose I have quite a distinctive perspective on life and the world – there weren’t many kids of my background growing up in Glasgow in the 60s and 70s – people have seemed interested in that and I’ve become a regular on Radio Scotland and have often been asked for newspaper columns. I have written several short stories, winning awards and getting published by the Scottish book Trust.

What is your show about?

It’s a look back at primary school life in Glasgow as a Pakistani girl who couldn’t speak English when she first started, who was called stupid. It was just one of the labels she was stuck with and has spent her life disproving.

What was the inspiration for Chatterbox and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

Chatterbox is one of the labels I was given at school and is the inspiration behind the title. I have written the play, worked with a dramaturge and an editor and am now working with director and musician.

What made you want to take Chatterbox to the Fringe?

I love to perform and there is no better stage than the Fringe in Edinburgh for a new show.

Apart from seeing Chatterbox what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

Wear layers of clothes – remember that in Scotland you can get all four seasons in one day. Take an umbrella. Wear comfy shoes. 

Best place to have a curry is Kebab Mahal.

Why should people book Chatterbox?

We were all children once and we all went to primary school. Chatterbox will take you right back to those days. Plus, people who queue early get ginger cake. And there’s great music from the 1970s.

When and where can people see Chatterbox?

You can see Chatterbox at Pleasance Courtyard, the Green 4.55pm. There’s a touch tour available on the 14 August for those who are partially sighted and BSL interpretation on the 15 August.