The Cat magazine, Winter 2010

1. celebrityinterview
Katherine Parkinson
The IT Crowd’s Katherine Parkinson talks to to have children! I find it touching when they really seem to
communicate – they definitely know us as opposed to other
Amy Rutter about cats and comedy humans. It’s confusing because one minute you think ‘they’re
cats, of course they don’t think or understand things’ and
QUESTION Can you tell me a little about your cats? then they prove you wrong.
ANSWER I have two cats called Karen and Barbra – I’ve only
realised recently that, as I’m a fan of Barbra Streisand and QUESTION The IT Crowd is filmed in front of a studio
Karen Carpenter, that might have influenced it! We’ve got audience – have there been any really embarrassing mistakes
a tradition in our family of giving cats human names... I find made?
it endlessly funny! When my husband came back from the ANSWER Oh yes, but while your instinct tells you not to make
adoption centre, I expected him to bring back these really any mistakes, it’s fine because that’s what the studio audience
sweet little cats and, very nobly of him, he went for the least are there for, that’s what they get to see that they wouldn’t
pretty ones he could! They’re often the ones that are snapped at home. It’s not like the theatre where you can’t muck up,
up less quickly. They’ve really flourished; they were quite ill everyone would be really embarrassed for you – that would
when they arrived and I’ve been amazed at how well they’ve be a career low! In a studio, when you get it right they’re on
done. They’ve become beautiful cats. side and they’ll laugh when you muck it up.
QUESTION Which was your first career choice: comedy QUESTION What makes a cat a good pet?
or acting? ANSWER It’s great when they’re responsive. I’ve always
ANSWER I would say acting but I never really make the been a cat person rather than a dog person – there’s no
distinction – when doing something in front of a studio competition. They’re very glamorous, they’re intelligent,
audience it’s like being a comedian rather than an actor. But sly, funny and elegant – well, I say elegant, my cats aren’t
there are so many actors who would never call themselves elegant… but I just find them endlessly fascinating. I know
comedians that are bringing down the house every night dogs are lovely too but if you’ve grown up in a house of cats
because they’re playing a funny part truthfully. Stand-ups you couldn’t ever really be without them.
don’t do what they call ‘straight acting’ but there aren’t many
plays – apart from great tragedies – without comedy in them. QUESTION You’ve been in what seems to be nearly every
I don’t think it’s a distinction that actors make, I think it’s a recent successful comedy show and won best TV comedy
distinction that happens more when you get into the world of actress last year but what is your proudest achievement
comedy. so far?
ANSWER It’s a bit naff to say it, but I was against the odds
QUESTION Did you grow up with animals? to get my degree. I didn’t do any work; I just did acting,
ANSWER My parents have been getting adopted cats over which in hindsight wasn’t a waste of time. I definitely still feel
the years; I remember them arriving as a child and being quite proud of my degree because I never thought I’d be somebody
horrified at their conditions, but it’s just the bad situation that would get one! That’s not to say I’m not really enjoying
in which they’ve found themselves. It’s great that it can be acting, but it’s always a work in progress and it’s difficult to
rectified despite any trauma experienced early on. My most be proud. I think I’ve always felt quite like I can get away with
difficult years were when I was a student and I had the stress things – in acting, in a sense you always feel like a fraud and
of exams and stuff. It was the only time in my life I have lived like you’re just bluffing your way through. You can’t bluff a
in a house without cats and I think that it really affected my degree and I think that’s why it gave me confidence at the
stress levels. end because I thought
‘well actually, I
QUESTION I think you’re probably best known for playing must have learned
comedy roles in both The IT Crowd and Doc Martin, do you something!’
have any plans to stray away from comedy?
ANSWER Yes but I’ll have to see what comes along. Probably
the clever choice would be to try and do something with less
comedy in a dramatic role. That said, I wouldn’t want to cut
my nose off to spite my face, if it’s a funny script then I’d get
as excited as I would if I read a really good dramatic script.
QUESTION What’s the funniest thing your cats have ever
got up to?
ANSWER Barbra is just very funny and I find it very
entertaining overhearing my husband talking to her when he
doesn’t know I’m there – he does the baby talk and holds her
like a baby. It’s then that I realise it’s probably time for me
14 The Cat Winter 2010