Rich Fulcher

Following an extremely popular appearance on The Mighty Boosh, Eleanor has been taking to the stage, and will be appearing at the Edinburgh festival from 21st–30th August.

We sat down for a chat with Eleanor's creator, Rich Fulcher.

Heeeeeelllllooooooooooooooooooooooo...
sorry, does everyone start interviews like that?

Not the ones that live. No, go right ahead, I'm on sedatives.

That's a great catch-phrase though. Where did it come from?

Thank you. I was thinking of a way to enter Howard and Vince's shoppe and it just came out naturally in rehearsal like a Chinese burp.

Is your business card as good as Eleanor's?

My business card simply says, 'I will cry for food' so I guess that's a no.

Eleanor first appeared in Mighty Boosh series 3, did you come up with her and pitch her to the Boosh boys?

No pitching required. The Boosh boyz (notice how street I am) were fully aware of Eleanor's powerful scent and suggested the ideer (see how country I am).

Is Eleanor as fun to play as she is to watch?

Yes. Eleanor is fun because she elicits so many great reactions from people. Also, her main affectation is drinking red wine so that's fun, unless vomit is involved. Wait, especially when vomit is involved.

Men dressing up as women is an honoured comedy tradition. Do you have any favourites?

I am not aware of this tradition. Has anyone done this before?

Eleanor, Dame Edna and Tootsie: who'd win in a fight?

It totally depends on the weapons: Eleanor would win in a fistfight; Tootsie, nunchucks; and Dame Edna, oven mitts.

So you're now doing a tour as Eleanor. What was it about this particular supporting character you'd created that made you realise she could have her own show?

Eleanor has legs. What I mean by that is the character has so many facets and funny traits to write and play with.....and she has legs.

What are you planning to do with Eleanor next?

I would like to do a show where I interview various musicians, comics, and celebrities....then drink their blood.

On Eleanor's YouTube page, several people have commented that you look rather good as a woman. Any thoughts on this?

I am both flattered and depressed because no one compliments me on looking good as a man, unless you count Prunella, who works at a Café Nero on top of a man's scrotum.

Has playing Eleanor helped you understand women better?

Absolutely. I no longer go up to women and say, 'may I touch these?'

How long does the make-up process take and at what point do you feel yourself ‘become' Eleanor?

It used to take an hour but now it's a crisp 37.4 minutes. I definitely feel like Eleanor when I put on the wig:

See An Evening with Eleanor, the Tour Whore at the E4 Udderbelly in Edinburgh from 21st–30th August. Rich promises 'songs, dance and confessional monologues that would make even the most hardened groupie blush.'