Where the Magic Happens
Jessie Cave is returning to stand-up this month at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, but the actress and writer who made her name in Harry Potter says to expect the unexpected.
Interviewing Jessie Cave
Interviewing Jessie Cave is a rather strange experience. For starters, it’s difficult to know what angle we should begin with – acting, writing, artist, or comedian? Jessie’s response is none of the above.
“Today, and more recently, I’m a full-time mother who does shows,” she says simply. Knocking Absolutely slightly off course, we gather our senses and focus on the show aspect, especially considering this month marks her return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
An Ecstatic Display
An Ecstatic Display will see Jessie talk about her life and why she’s more than happy it isn’t what people would describe as traditional. It’s also not straightforward enough to call it stand-up.
“I would say it’s not stand-up comedy, and it’s not character comedy, and it’s not a puppet show – but it does contain puppets,” she laughs. “It is funny, but it is sad. It is a little messy, but it’s been carefully planned. It’s a show about the beauty and joy, chaos and despair of motherhood and long-term romantic relationships.”
Motherhood Takes Center Stage
Why did she want motherhood to take centre stage?
“I write about my life, and sharing the more positive aspects of the motherhood journey is quite rare at the moment. I feel like, in general, it’s negatively displayed right now on social media, and I believe motherhood is a privilege and a worthy, magical sacrifice,” she says. “I’ve been working and adapting and tweaking the show for over a year with delightful audiences. Some shows have been mad, some have been quiet, some have been ecstatic.”
Tragedy and Return to Comedy
It all suggests An Ecstatic Display will be one to watch when it opens on 31 July. Reading a recent round-up of the must-see shows in Edinburgh, Jessie was a part of that list, so the buzz is building. But for Jessie, the return to Edinburgh is tinged with tragedy.
“I did my last show in 2019, which was the year my younger brother Ben died,” she says. “I didn’t feel like doing comedy for a while, as it felt like that part of my life was over. I did more serious things, like writing a novel and podcasts. It feels like the right time for me to express myself again comedically and to remind myself that there is still joy to be had, even when things are still sad.”
Developing a Writing Career
The loss of Ben was the catalyst to develop another part of Jessie’s career. A successful show had already been transferred to book format with Sunrise, but Sunset was Jessie’s debut novel, and it became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller.
“I was very grateful that people read it. Even if a few people had read it, I would have been thrilled,” she reflects on that fact. “It’s important to read more stories about the reality of grief. It’s not linear. Each loss is different. The book has struck a nerve because it’s messy and raw, and there is not much literature out there (that I could find) about sibling loss.”
Sunset: A Compelling Story
It’s a compelling story. Ruth and Hannah are sisters. Bonded by love and friendship, they are perplexingly different characters. Hannah is radiant, organised and hard working. Ruth is forever single and totally aimless, but together they are invincible. Every summer, they go on a budget holiday together where they bicker, laugh, fight, and make up. But this time is different. Something bad happens – and now everything is changed forever.
This bittersweet love story is about needing someone else as much as they need you. It is an ode to our most powerful bonds, how they build us and break us, and how, when all seems lost, we can find joy in the most unexpected places. It showcased just what a powerful writer Jessie is.
Artistic Side: Lovesick
Before the above, however, was Lovesick, where we got to see the artistic side of Jessie Cave. Published in 2015, it was a book of doodles about love, rejection and pining – and developed such a fanbase that she now sells her prints.
“I followed a boy to art school. He didn’t like me back, but I’m glad I started doodling my way through rejection,” she says, before describing her work as: “Honest. Full of love. Unrefined. DIY.”
From Hogwarts to Screen Work
We have gone through quite a lot, and Harry Potter hasn’t come up once. You sense Jessie is quite happy about that as her life and career have moved on in great strides since she starred as Lavender Brown in the major series that was filmed in Hertfordshire. Ask her about her acting highlight, and she responds:
“My favourite role recently was in a period drama called Miss Scarlett and the Duke. I liked wearing a corset, even though I was quite pregnant.”
Diverse Roles and Projects
We have also seen her in the likes of Black Mirror, Trollied and Pride, and recently she starred in ITV2 sitcom Buffering. The screen work has evolved, too – her presenting debut was helming CBBC’s Britain’s Best Young Artist.
Podcasts and Future Projects
Even though we have no idea where she finds the time, she has also entered the world of podcasts, which includes the mothering-focused Whenever It Kicks, and We Can’t Talk About That Right Now with her sister Bebe Cave.
“I have just started making a podcast with the father of my children,” she adds, “which I’ve been trying to get started for years. I love it as we get to talk about topics we don’t get to reach when getting our four kids to eat or sleep.”
Her next novel is in progress too, but for now, Edinburgh is calling. Jessie has probably been the most eclectic interviewee we have had in Absolutely for some time, but it makes perfect sense when you see her on stage.
What’s Next?
If you can’t make it to Edinburgh, never fear. Asked what’s next, Jessie says:
“A little break, a reset, and then I will tour it next year whilst working out what I would like to write next.” Whatever happens, expect something a little different.
Jessie Cave: An Ecstatic Display will be on at Assembly Roxy – Upstairs, 31 July-25 August. See more on X @jessiecave and Instagram: @jessiecave, and at jessiedoodles.com.
