EdFringe Talk: Mel Hudson: Richard Ashcroft Revived My Libido

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“Who knows what will happen? Hopefully either a stratospheric career jump or a deep and long-lasting friendship with myself.”

WHO: Mel Hudson

WHAT: “See how Mel Hudson revived her libido, courtesy of Richard Ashcroft. In 2022 Mel thinks her love life is over. She is prepared to go to her grave as a sexually redundant cat lady. Then 3 things happen: lockdown ends, the cat dies and Mel attends a momentously revitalising musical event at Crystal Palace Park Bowl. Suddenly men are not so paused. From Alan Partridge, The Catherine Tate Show, Hudson and Pepperdine. ‘What an honest, funny show, cleverly insightful and life affirming’ (Phil Clarke, Producer of Peep Show).”

WHERE: Wee Room at Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 16:20 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No! I was here way back in 1998 and 1999 with my double-act, Hudson and Pepperdine. Our first show was called ‘Beaver Pitch’ – we had a really successful Edinburgh, despite a couple of awful moments (a reviewer for The Herald hated us and our respective childminders fell out very badly on the same day) – we got a pilot for Radio 4 from it, which grew into 4 series of The Hudson and Pepperdine Show. I was back in 2011 with a sketch group, Sketch Department, and our show Please Retain for Your Records, which grew into some very deep and long-lasting friendships. ‘Richard Ashcroft’ is my first solo show! Who knows what will happen? Hopefully either a stratospheric career jump or a deep and long-lasting friendship with myself.

I love coming as a punter – I’ve been up many times when not performing myself. As a performer it’s slightly harder work, but still liberating and exhilarating. Unique.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I think the huge thing is to do with managing doubt and fear – imposter syndrome if you like. When I did my first preview for an invited audience back in December, I couldn’t sleep the night before, and the ‘I just can’t do this/who am I kidding?/ why would anyone want to hear this?’ voice was loud in my head all day. My poor fantastic daughter (who is in the show – briefly) and my amazing director, Sam, practically had to scrape me off the floor and drag me to the Museum of Comedy (where the show was happening – not where I was being permanently housed as an exhibit. Hopefully one day.)

But as soon as I got there – something kicked in. I felt happy in the venue, I always feel happy in theatres, I remember that I know what I’m doing and it’s not really about me – it’s about the audience, and love. It went really well, and so you move on to the next one. Sam (Holland-Bunyan) always says, as older women, ‘We hold our nerve and we take our space’ – and every time the doubt creeps back in, I remember that. It’s taking me time to ‘absorb’ that lesson – maybe you never fully do – maybe you never fully SHOULD do. But I’ve done the show 11 times now and it’s always a total blast, to be honest. I love it.

Tell us about your show.

The show is called Richard Ashcroft Revived My Libido, and it’s obviously about my own experience. It’s about how, aged 56, I accidentally repeated a level on the multi-player RPG of life, one you’ve normally completed, as a heterosexual woman, by about 16 – that is, developing an adolescent infatuation with a rock star – and finding that that’s a gateway drug to men in general. In my case, I was resigned to life as a celibate cat lady – then I went to a gig at Crystal Palace Bowl, fell in love with Richard Ashcroft (ex-The Verve) and finally got my libido back, after a ten-year drought. But it’s also a sort of history of my libido from birth to now – libido in all senses, including your creativity. And it’s a paean to Richard Ashcroft. 

It’s self-penned and self-produced, with amazing help from Ripley North (my daughter) who’s just left drama school (The Bridge Theatre Training School in London) and who inspires me every day. So she has a role in the show, as herself.

Sam I’ve known for years, she’s a fantastic director, and has really been co-producer. Again back in December, I had booked the venue to do the first outing – and it occurred to me to ask for her input. The first thing she suggested I do was actually write it. I was wavering about it and thinking of cancelling the booking. She said ‘I strongly urge you to commit’. So I wrote it in ten days, sending bits to her as I went, and saying ‘does any of this work? It needs editing doesn’t it?’ – and she said ‘yep just keep vomiting it all out and we can cut it later.’ (We are still cutting it.)
As for after Edinburgh – so far we’ve got one more follow-up date booked in October (16th) at Museum of Comedy in London again – but I’d like to do more dates in different parts of the UK – so hit me up! (C/O Blue Book Artist Management).

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Do see ‘Am I Losing My Mind Or Just My Figure’ – (Playground 1 at Zoo Playground, 12.45pm, 7th-30th August) – a wonderfully moving and funny piece about a young woman navigating relationships, pregnancy and miscarriage in the modern age. They’re not on Twitter, sorry! Insta is @amilosingmymindorjustmyfigure

And Dan Tiernan (Quartz and All, 22.25pm, Monkey Barrel 1, 3-30 August) is my pick of standups for this year – so funny. Again not on Twitter.

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