Susan Calman: Embracing Eccentricity in Comedy and Life
Born in Glasgow in 1974, Susan Calman transitioned from a corporate lawyer to a celebrated standup comedian, winning a Scottish Bafta in 2007 for the Channel 4 sketch show Blowout. She has since become a fixture on TV and radio panel shows, hosts podcasts like Mrs Brightside and Carry On Up, and authored books such as Cheer Up Love and Sunny Side Up: A Story of Kindness and Joy. Residing in Glasgow with her wife, Lee, Calman is set to tour her first show in a decade, Tall Tales, across the UK from September 11 to November 20.
Early Years and Identity Struggles
Reflecting on a childhood photo from 1978, Calman describes herself as "absolutely adorable" with a blond bowl cut and a 1970s jumpsuit, a special purchase from Harrods. As the youngest of three, she was a tomboy with scabbed knees and a strong-willed nature, evident when she turned down the role of Mary in a nativity play to avoid kissing a boy. "Even from a young age I knew what I wanted and what I didn't," she recalls.
Depression first surfaced in her teens, fueled by isolation and loneliness. Attending a private school in Glasgow, she felt out of place, preferring Greta Garbo films over typical teenage pursuits. "I'm slightly strange and eccentric," she admits, highlighting the lack of LGBTQ+ visibility in 1980s and 1990s Glasgow. She came out at 20 after her grandmother's death, finding acceptance from her parents despite initial fears.
From Law to Comedy: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Calman studied law as a "normal world for an abnormal person," initially aspiring to humanitarian work with the United Nations. Instead, she became a corporate lawyer, feeling mismatched and criticized for her attire, like Tank Girl boots. A pivotal experience came during a law study trip to North Carolina, where she worked on death row cases, expanding her worldview. "It was a bit of a shock to the system," she says, followed by a transformative visit to a gay resort in Provincetown that exposed her to a vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
Encouraged by friends, she tried standup at a Glasgow comedy club's Red Raw event, introduced as "Sarah Calamari." Despite a nervous debut that ended with her being sick, she was hooked. "Comedy is an industry full of weirdos – people who aren't quite right in some way. Finally, I found my people," she explains. It took six years to hone her craft, with a failed 2008 show leading to a three-year hiatus before she found her voice in long, storytelling comedy.
Lessons Learned and Embracing the Present
Calman emphasizes two key career lessons: learning to say no and avoiding social media feedback. "I don't need live feedback of how my Edinburgh run is going," she states, preferring to ignore online chatter. Now 51, she faces perimenopause with brain fog but manages it through HRT, sobriety, gym workouts, and a four-stone weight loss. "I have done everything I can to stay focused," she asserts.
Despite challenges, Calman declares this her happiest era. "I lived most of my life as a slightly odd woman, not being in the right place at the right time," she reflects. With confidence gained over the years, she feels everything has fallen into place. "My teens, 20s and 30s were miserable; life got better in my 40s. But 50s? Hello, here we go!" she exclaims, embracing her true self at last.
