JOSIE LONG is touring her award-nominated Edinburgh Fringe Festival comedy show, Be Honourable, to Harrogate Comedy Festival, Darlington, Scarborough and York. The 28-year-old began performing stand-up comedy at 14 and has written for C4’s teen drama Skins. TV appearances include Never Mind The Buzzcocks, You Have Been Watching, 8 Out of 10 Cats and BBC2 show The Bubble. She talks to Viv Hardwick.

I love the idea of a show which starts with Breakfast and is described as “a ramshackle call to arms”. Where does your inspiration come from? Itry and write shows about what I’ve been most interested in and excited by and I basically vampirise my whole life when I’m writing a show. Anything I see or enjoy or talk about gets in there in the end. This show also definitely came out of feeling increasingly worried that I wasn’t acting on things I believed and feeling very frustrated that the Tories had managed to get into power. I feel like I hadn’t done enough to stop it.

Do you really want to provoke people into changing the world, surely you’d have a lot less observational humour as a result?

Yes definitely. I don’t mind if this means I’ll end up impoverished – if I had my way the most impoverished people would be properly looked after and given good opportunities – so it’s a win win. I remember before the coalition got in people were saying “at least people’ll have something to fight against”, but it’s nicer not to have to fight. I’d rather just have a nice time of it.

You’re managing to contribute humour through a number of mediums at present, is appearing live your favourite and what’s the appeal?

I love stand up, it’s such a brilliant way to express yourself. It’s totally direct; if you think of something that morning or even onstage, you can say it with nobody else editing or directing you. I love the creative freedom that gives you and the fact that anything could happen. That having been said, at the moment my favourite source of humour is writing “I will kill again” in the condensation of hotel bathroom mirrors on tour.

Many comics seem to be aiming for the arena-style approach to touring. What are your feelings about the current trend?

It’s not really a dilemma I have to worry about at the moment. Nobody is queuing up to book me for such things. I think it’s exciting that there are so many people who want to go out and see live comedy, although my favourite kinds of gigs are smaller ones where I feel like I can properly connect with and get to know the crowd.

Is Edinburgh still the best place for fringe comedy or is there a danger of this festival becoming over-crowded... could the coalition government help with a few cuts!

Well they are definitely cutting arts funding – the BFI, the film council, you name it, they are ripping it to bits!

I don’t think it’s over-crowded. I think that’s marvellously exciting, it shows how much enthusiasm there is and talent in this country. Too much is not a problem.

We’re seeing you appear more on TV, both as a writer and performer. Do you want to do more and, if so, which areas offer the best challenge?

I’d like to do more acting, but I find it a big challenge.

It’s hard because you can’t break the fourth wall like you can with stand up, and you have to concentrate so hard.

I’m impressed with any comic taking the risk of the Nye Bevan related humour for The Bubble.

Can you reveal the story behind your wardrobe choice and did you choose the wording yourself.

Yes, I made it myself. It says Nye Bevan (hearts) Jennie Lee, because he did. They are my favourite political power couple. He helped build the NHS and she set up the Open University. What a brilliant pair. I’ve recently read Nye Bevan’s book In Place of Fear and a biography of Jennie Lee. They were both so formidable and outspoken about their beliefs and ideals.

Your Confuse The Teacher feature (on Radio Switch) is another fine piece of conspiratorial humour. What words did you come up with and did you get any feedback on the results?

There have been so many but my favourite was one that they didn’t put out, which was: “I have been abducted. These are not my real parents. Help me Miss.”

Does all this make you one of the defenders of upper class humour in a dumbed down world?

Upper class? absolutely not. Sod them.

What’s next and how do you find time to juggle so many projects?

I’m writing a book which is going to be an imaginative guide to living in England, and also a real life treasure hunt as well. I’m tremendously excited.

I am always a bit too frazzled and busy but I like my life that way very much.

■ Tour dates: Tuesday, Harrogate Theatre, Box Office: 01423-502-116; Wednesday, Darlington Arts Centre, 01325-486-555; Nov 6, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, 01723-370541; Nov 28, York City Screen, 01904-541144