Essex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-2-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="Esther Manito" class="wp-image-22518" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-2-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-2-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-2-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-2-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-esther-tell-us-about-your-essex-roots">Esther, tell us about your Essex roots.</h2>



<p>I was born in Saffron Walden and went to Saffron Walden County High. We even had a Year 11 &#8216;Mr and Mrs Essex&#8217; award. Did I win? Nope – I got &#8216;Class Clown&#8217; instead. I still live in Essex with my husband, my old man, two kids, two rabbits and a hamster. It&#8217;s where I got inspiration from my new show <em>Slagbomb</em>, an observational tale of those awkward sandwich years looking after kids and parents and how unglamorous it all is. I look at these yummy mummies on social media and then look around at my chaos and think; &#8216;Why does this fall on the woman’s shoulders?&#8217; followed by; &#8216;I need a drink&#8217;.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-else-can-you-tell-us-about-the-tour">What else can you tell us about the tour?</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s embracing my lack of dignity! Everyone has those years where parents, kids, nieces, nephews and friends all need more, plus we have our own shit to deal with, and there&#8217;s the endless pressure to be picture perfect while juggling it all. Cheers Instagram. I&#8217;m here to say it’s OK to don the Crocs, tell the family &#8216;in a minute&#8217; and be a right messy Slagbomb.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-come-to-be-a-comedian">How did you come to be a comedian?</h2>



<p>I was on maternity leave and started doing a stand-up course with a mate just to do something different. Well, actually I was on maternity with two under twos and my friend convinced me to do the course, which I thought would get me out the house and give me some headspace for two hours a week. I hadn&#8217;t thought it would lead me to this career, but I&#8217;m glad I took the risk.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-9-1000x667.jpg" alt="Esther Manito 2025 tour " class="wp-image-22558" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/Untitled-design-9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-about-the-highs-and-lows">Tell us about the highs and lows.</h2>



<p>Making people laugh and being a tit on stage for a living&#8217;s brilliant. I sometimes can’t believe I get paid for this. I used to be a teacher and as a result I never let myself get complacent. I also travel a lot and meet loads of brilliant people, both comics and audiences. I do try not to stay away too long from the kids, and like to get home no matter how late it is so I can be there in the morning. That does mean I look like &#8216;Stig of the Dumps Mum&#8217; on the school run.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-worst-heckle-you-ve-ever-received">What&#8217;s the worst heckle you&#8217;ve ever received?</h2>



<p>Rather than a heckle was a fella who slept through my show because he worked nights and his Mrs had dragged him along. I offered to send him a recording of my special just to help him nap between shifts! I have had the usual immediate sigh as soon as a woman steps on stage; the folded arms, or the classic &#8216;prove me wrong eyebrows raise&#8217;. I did a gig once in an EDL pub and was heckled with &#8216;Jahadi Jane&#8217;. I was very new to the scene so just ploughed on as if it wasn&#8217;t happening. I&#8217;ve now got the nickname &#8216;The Plough&#8217; on the circuit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-back-to-essex-you-need-a-drink-where-do-you-head">Back to Essex. You need a drink – where do you head?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-11-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Victoria Tavern Loughton Esther Manito" class="wp-image-22521" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/2-11.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Definitely <a href="https://thevictoriatavern.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Victoria Tavern</a> in Loughton. It&#8217;s got a lovely atmosphere and is close to home. It&#8217;s also great for a mums&#8217; night out, has a nice range of gin and loads of places to eat nearby so you can really make a night of it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-eating-out">What about eating out?</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.arkfishrestaurant.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ark in South Woodford</a>.  I love seafood and have had many a family meal and loads of celebrations here, from birthdays to anniversaries. The scallops are amazing and it&#8217;s also a walking distance from the tube.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-grabbing-food-for-home">And grabbing food for home?</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.ashlynsfarmshop.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashlyn&#8217;s Farm Shop</a> in Epping. The kids and I have always loved this place. As well as having birthday parties and play dates there, the butchers are also brilliant for meats. And I love the fact that it&#8217;s all locally produced.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-for-pampering-any-favourites">Time for pampering. Any favourites?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-11-1000x667.jpg" alt="Greenwoods Hotel &amp; Spa" class="wp-image-22522" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-11.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kokoswoodford?igsh=aWYyc2JuZHEyaWZq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kokos Beauty Salon</a> – they&#8217;re all super-friendly and I get my BIAB nails done there. <a href="https://www.greenwoodshotel.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenwoods Hotel &amp; Spa</a> in Stock&#8217;s also brilliant for a getaway with mum mates. It&#8217;s not too far to get to and feels like a proper relaxing holiday.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-keeping-fit">What about keeping fit?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/PAUL-STARR-Photographer-1000x667.jpg" alt="Weal Country Park" class="wp-image-22525" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/PAUL-STARR-Photographer-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/PAUL-STARR-Photographer-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/PAUL-STARR-Photographer-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/PAUL-STARR-Photographer.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I&#8217;ve actually started training for my next marathon with <a href="https://www.eastlondonrunners.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East London Runners</a>. They&#8217;re really inclusive and supportive and it&#8217;s a great network. <a href="https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/weald-country-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weald Country Park</a>&#8216;s another great space for getting out and about. It’s stunning. We&#8217;ve been sledging there, taken plenty of summer walks, you can see the deer plus there&#8217;s a café and beautiful lake.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-date-night-where-do-you-go">It&#8217;s date night. Where do you go?</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.littlesmashcomedy.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Smash Comedy</a> over in Shoeburyness. It&#8217;s a great cocktail bar with live comedy and drinks in a dinky venue. Or there&#8217;s The Hobo Club in Loughton and their <a href="https://www.hoboclub.co.uk/cinema-opening-soon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cool independent cinema</a>. They show a lot of classic films and it&#8217;s got a wonderful atmosphere.</p>



<p><em>Esther Manito’s 2025 Slagbomb tour is at Southend&#8217;s Dixon Studio in Southend on 30 September – <a href="https://esthermanito.seetickets.com/event/esther-manito-slagbomb/dixon-studio/3381913" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">book tickets here</a>.</em></p>



<p><strong>Interview: Claire Muffett-Reece</strong></p>


My fave Essex places: Comedian Esther Manito

You may also like