Shappi Khorsandi’s new show, ‘Mistress and Misfit’, focuses on Emma, Lady Hamilton, the mistress and misfit who lit up the life of Admiral Nelson and added to the gaiety of nations during the Georgian era - and the comedian had a ball writing it. 

One of the best-loved stand-ups in the country, Shappi affirms that, “This show has been the most fun to write. It’s about passion and tragedy. What better things are there to write comedy about?”

After an acclaimed, sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival last summer, Shappi is now about to embark on her biggest nationwide tour yet with ‘Mistress and Misfit’ - stopping off at The Elgiva in Chesham on April 14. And she can’t wait to get back on the stage.

“It’s like skydiving. The adrenaline rush is incredible. It’s probably the only time in my day when I’m utterly focused and have no responsibility to anyone else apart from the audience.”

In ‘Mistress and Misfit’, Shappi recounts the largely untold story of England’s unsung heroine, Emma, Lady Hamilton.

For too long, she has been reductively tagged as Nelson’s mistress. But Emma moved heaven and earth to drag herself from scullery maid to Lady Hamilton. 

Shappi said: “I was fascinated by Emma. She was really clever and compassionate and very hard done by. She was also a master of re-invention and a fantastically creative person.

“I initially tried to write a novel about Emma, but it was too hard, so I thought I’d do a show about it instead. That was easier and funnier. I relate Emma’s life to modern women.”

The comedian also sees many parallels between the attitudes towards women then and now. “Any woman who does anything seen as salacious is still demonised today. That’s a very modern theme. It’s not exclusive to Georgian times.”

Tickets are available at www.shappi.co.uk/live.