Legendary comedian, Ruby Wax, returns to Frome next month with her new show ‘How To Be Human’.
Based on her bestselling book, ‘How to Be Human: The Manual’, Ruby’s new show promises to answer every question you’ve ever had about evolution, thoughts, emotions, the body, addictions, relationships, sex, children, the future and compassion!
In the second-half of the show, Ruby welcomes special guests Gelong Thubten, a monk who explains how the mind works, and neuroscientist Ash Ranpura who explains where everything that makes us ‘us’ can be found in the brain.
Ahead of her appearances at the Cheese and Grain on Thursday 3rd October and Friday 4th October (sold out)., Ruby took the time to talk to Frome Times about her love of Frome, mindfulness, and what it takes to ‘be human’.
You were in Frome last year in May for two sell-out shows at the Cheese & Grain. What did you think of Frome?
“I love Frome. In fact the neuroscientist, Ash Runpura, is from Frome – so I visit all the time. Frome is ‘England’ – that’s what I think of when I fantasize about what England looks like. I love the restaurants – I’m looking forward to visiting Castello. You’ve got some fancy restaurants there!”
What can people expect from the show?
“A – comedy. It’s the funniest show that I have ever done.
“And B – you’ll come away thinking, “I didn’t realise that about myself!” I’m always fascinated by who writes the scripts for our thoughts. Why we choose the people that we choose. And I try to answer questions like these, and many others through comedy – a bit like Bill Bryson, I like the idea of taking something interesting and flipping it, making it funny.
“I don’t want the show to be like Chinese food – where you instantly forget what you have eaten. I want people to come away from the show having learnt something about themselves, and feel better about themselves.”
During the show you invite neuroscientist Ash Ranpura and monk Gelong Thubten to join you on stage. Tell us a bit more about them.
“Gelong is very funny – he talks a lot about compassion in the show. He tours most of the time and he works with people like the United Nations and Google. He loves what he does.
“Ash, who lives in Frome, I met through a girlfriend of mine – we’ve been working together for maybe four years now. I joke that we met on Tinder…we didn’t!
“They are both like the icing on the cake for the show – it’s a real roller coaster ride of a show!”
So how does someone ‘be human’?
“Well we are human – but there are bits of us that are still savage. Our stone age brains have evolved over time – but some parts are more evolved than others, whilst others are still savage.
“The evolved parts of our brain are like an ‘add-on’, and we don’t fully understand how to use it. To ‘be human’ is to understand this – to know that part of us is still savage, make peace with that, and know not to act on that savage instinct.”
You are an active champion for mindfulness and its benefits – for those that don’t know, what is it?
“It’s exercise for the brain. Rather than living life, sending out emails, trying to top the competition – because that’s what life is now – try to be aware and understand how your mind works, and not beat yourself up about it. It’s about tuning in to what’s going on in your brain, focussing your attention. We don’t pay attention enough, so mindfulness is like a gym for the brain, it helps you to focus on something for more than just a ‘blip’.”
And what would be your tip for someone wanting to get started?
“Listen to Headspace – an app for your phone – you can carry it everywhere with you and turn it on when you need to focus to avoid burnout. Or, you can buy my book, ‘A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled’, that’s a great way to get started!”
Tickets are sold out for your 4th October show, and tickets are selling out fast for your 3rd October show – why should someone snap up the remaining tickets?
“You’ll get a double-whammy at the show – you’ll figure out who you are, and you will laugh.”
Ruby brings her show ‘How To Be Human’ to the Cheese & Grain on Thursday 3rd October and Friday 4th October (sold out). Tickets for the 3rd October show are available from www.cheeseandgrain.com or the box office: 01373 455420.
