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13 November 2019
TV comedian Rachel Parris dropped in on a Brighton school this week to give some stirring advice to young girls about their future.
The Mash Report star told pupils, parents and staff at Roedean’s Speech Day on Saturday that young people should be wary about pinning themselves down to one ambition as they often don’t fit any more as life progresses.
The Oxford graduate, musician and actress told the audience: “Don’t hold on to your dreams too hard because they might not be right for you as you get older. I didn’t plan on being a comedian – and my mum certainly doesn’t think I should be one as ‘it’s dangerous, its not secure financially and my brother’s funnier anyway’ – but it’s what I turned out to like doing after years of being an appalling cocktail waitress and working in arts administration.
“You have got to veer off the path sometimes and try stuff you wouldn’t normally do – even if it’s nothing to do with what you plan to do with your life – because you always learn something about yourself. My hero Julie Walters was a nurse first and – terrifyingly – Harry Hill was a neurosurgeon and still has a licence to practice – so they all veered from their paths to find what they truly loved.”
“Keep your options open, say yes to things you might not think you’d do naturally. You can do more than one thing with your lives and there is nothing more powerful than educated women – don’t have blinkers on because there is so much out there for you to do.”
The words of wisdom went down well – Roedean pupils gave the comedian a riotous standing ovations.
Headmaster Oliver Blond added: “What Rachel said really resonated with the pupils and also the leavers who have gone off to university but are still at the very beginning of their journey. I hope the girls left speech day remembering that life is long and full of opportunities and the more you can say yes to, the greater your chances of discovering what you love.”
Rachel has appeared on panel shows such as Mock The Week, QI and Would I Lie To You as well as starring in Live At The Apollo, Plebs, Murder in Successful and Radio 4’s The Now Show. She is also part of the incredibly successful Edinburgh Fringe Show Austentatious, which has toured nationally to sold-out theatres.
