Comedian Of The Month

May Comedian of the Month #47, Sophie Willan

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This month’s Comedian of the Month is Sophie Willan, who, having begun her career with cabaret and live art theatre performances, is a performer who is clearly comfortable on stage. And this seems to be a widespread opinion, as earlier this year Sophie received the first BBC Caroline Aherne Bursary, which gives her the opportunity to go on to create more comedic projects, such as a sitcom.

Having grown up in foster care, Willan is very involved with organisations that support young people in foster care and supported living. And it seems that this background has become the basis for her comedic message; her motive is to incite social change. This comic’s stand up is structured as a means of challenging societal assumptions regarding certain people and circumstances, it combats negative prejudices against mental health and social services, and this surely has to be commended.

As a viewer, I trust in Sophie’s message and motives, because why shouldn’t I? One of the unquestionably best ways to challenge societal assumptions is to speak about such issues from personal experience. And it’s quite clear Willan knows what she is talking about; she has practical yet forceful and driven ambitions, and the most refreshing positive attitude towards it all.

© Sophie Willan

During an interview with Stuart Goldsmith on the Comedian’s Comedian Podcast, Sophie tentatively describes her comedy as ‘darkly optimistic’, and it seems she has hit the nail on the head. Her comic voice is unlike any other, not least because her angle is so personal and specific to her own unique experiences, but also due to her down-to-earth, no-nonsense delivery.

There are exciting things ahead for Sophie Willan, and to get a flavour of what her comedy is about, I’d recommend you listen to her recent interviews on the Comedian’s Comedian Podcast and Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast.

For more information, follow Sophie Willan on Twitter, or visit her website. You can also access Stories of Care’s website here.

COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

April Comedian of the Month #46, Desiree Burch

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Desiree Burch has burst onto British television screens in recent months, having moved from New York to London for love a few years ago. She won the Funny Women awards in 2015 and has since appeared on Have I Got News For You, Chris Ramsey’s Stand Up Central and Live at the Apollo.

It’s clear that Desiree is a skilled storyteller; she understands structure and knows how to develop a mood within a room. And the stories she shares, as well as having that trademark Desiree cheek, are admirably personal and honest. Opening yourself up to Burch’s comedy is effortless because she so willingly opens herself up to us.

© Desiree Burch

Almost performance poetry, this comic’s words come easy. Her position on stage seems only natural seeing as she’s so confident on it, knowing undeniably who she is, what she’s doing and how to get a laugh out of the room. While her material always has relatable aspects, Burch offers up unheard, specific observations along the way, with her sharp and snappy humour always keeping things punchy and new.

Desiree Burch is a truly beautiful performer; a valuable addition to Britain’s stand up comedy scene and one I hope to see much more of in the coming months.

For more information, follow Desiree Burch on Twitter, or visit her website.

COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

March Comedian of the Month #45, Bo Burnham

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It feels a rare thing to find a musical comedian who combines both integral elements with equal skill; in this case I’ve come across someone with a vocal range that matches their talented piano hands, teamed with a cheeky, ironic sense of humour. Bo Burnham is, unsurprisingly, a very popular US comedian. At the time of writing, Burnham has 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube and his stand up hour Make Happy was released on Netflix in 2016. So why haven’t I watched it until now? There’s no excuse.

Make Happy was recorded at the Capitol Theatre in New York and is a show that explores the harshness and downright unfunny-ness of this world in a loud, theatrical but non-egotistical fashion. Bo is an artistically progressive performer and it’s clear that he has a deep understanding of comedy and its place in today’s world. He’s self critical, and this means that he is constantly challenging himself (‘Original does not mean good. Anyone can do anything.’).

© Andy Hollingworth

Bo is 27; he has a young face but his audiences seem to easily to get on board and relate to him. This unquestioning trust might very well be down to how confidently he shows he understands his audience in relation to himself. He’s appealing to punters because he doesn’t seem to take himself, or his comedy, particularly seriously. He’s the butt of the jokes but he’s the king of the show.

It’s no wonder Bo Burnham has such a big turnout for his live shows; the whole thing is a theatrical performance. This is high energy, enthusiastic and all-encompassing entertainment, and I thoroughly recommend it if you need a pick-me-up.

For more information, follow Bo Burnham on Twitter, or visit his website.

COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

February Comedian of the Month #44, Rachel Parris

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Rachel Parris is a comedian, musician, actor and improviser, and performs as part of the Jane Austen-inspired comedy improv group, Austentatious. I’ve known her name for the last few years, but this month marked the first time I saw anything from her on television.

Parris is a regular face on the satirical sketch, faux-news show The Mash Report on BBC Two, which returned for its second series at the end of January and stars the likes of Nish Kumar and Ellie Taylor. Though at times I find this show a little testing to watch (I’ve never been able to get on with the man-in-suit-mocking-the-news format, it seems contrived and occasionally plain irritating), Parris is the reason I keep tuning back in.

Her skit about the harassment of women in the first episode of this series is a piece of comedy gold. Not only is it well-delivered, cheeky and surprising, but I think it also achieves what it initially set out to do: paint a clearer picture of the day to day harassment and casual sexism that women all over the world face.

© BBC

Nish’s ill-judged (perhaps scripted) comments about feeling uncomfortable after receiving an unusually long hug from Rachel evolves into one of the best moments of the sketch: ‘Don’t look at the script, Nish. It’ll be fine, Nish. Of course we wouldn’t do anything to make you feel uncomfortable!’ Parris replies within a split second, a cheery smile on her face and a glint in her eye: ‘Welcome to womanhood!’

Parris’ character is composed, patronising and she makes her points eloquently. She owns this show, and I’d certainly like to see more from her off the back of this success.

For more information, follow Rachel Parris on Twitter, or visit her website.

COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

January Comedian of the Month #43, Kerry Howard

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Kerry Howard is a comedy actress from Somerset who first came to my attention when she starred as Becky’s irritating sister Laura in Him & Her (which I, for some reason, only watched last year). Laura is a very annoying character, even bordering on detestable at times, but this is all part of her brilliance. Because she has genuinely vulnerable moments in parts, and her relationship with Becky (Sarah Solemani) is one of friendship as well as turbulent sisterhood dramatics.

As Solemani said herself in an article for The Guardian in 2013: ‘Often nothing happens in Him & Her, yet people really feel for the characters’. It’s obvious that in order to nurture a sitcom with characters that carry their own individual weight, not only do you need a brilliant writer (Stefan Golaszewski, of course, is the power behind Him & Her), but a skilful, experienced cast is surely required.

Witless: Kerry Howard (left) and Zoë Boyle (right)

More recently, Kerry has starred in BBC3’s Witless; a comedy about two fraught friends who get forced into participating in a witness protection programme when they witness a gang crime and their identities get leaked to said gang. Howard (playing loveable fool Leanne) stars alongside Zoë Boyle, who plays Rhona, an undeniably more jittery recipient to the new lifestyle the two are forced to adopt than the naïve Leanne. The show is now onto its third series, and as the episodes have progressed, Howard has increased the depth of the characters she plays, expertly tiptoeing along the line between being endearing and unbearably frustrating.

Him & Her, if you haven’t yet seen it, is available on Netflix, and the full boxset of Witless is on BBC iPlayer.

For more information, follow Kerry Howard on Twitter.

COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

October Comedian of the Month #42, Celia Pacquola

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© Andy Hollingworth Archive

Celia Pacquola is a stand up comedian and actress with a definite spark to her onstage presence. Pacquola has been big on the Australian comedy scene for quite a while now. She plays Nat in Australian television comedy series Utopia, wrote and starred in Rosehaven alongside Luke McGregor. She has also been making appearances on British television in recent years, including Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Live at the Apollo.

Her comedy spans from relationship woes (‘I’m single but I’m fine!’) to a criticism of jeggings, to an attack on supermodels publishing self-esteem books. But something tells me that regardless of the content of where her material takes, Pacquola will always be an engaging comic. She could talk about floor tiles and I would still engage. Audiences can easily relate to her subject matter, but there is an interesting twist to each narrative, whether that be alluding to wishing severe allergic reactions on ex-partners or a little bit of light-hearted murder humour. Pacquola’s delivery is easy, free-flowing and her attitude light-hearted but still substantial.

A playful attitude towards darker themes paired with a likeable personality that can seemingly win over any crowd, Celia Pacquola is onto a winner.

For more information, follow Celia Pacquola on Twitter or visit her website.

AUGUST COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH: IAIN LEE

August Comedian of the Month #41, Iain Lee

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Despite beginning his career as a stand up comedian, Iain Lee is best known as a radio and television presenter, and particularly for presenting Late Nights With Iain Lee on Talk Radio between 10pm-1am Monday to Friday each week.

Having been through tough times himself, Iain Lee is a sympathetic ear for those who might need someone to listen. And that’s why a lot of people call in to the show during the early hours of the morning. That said, he can be absolutely brutal; painfully so when he loses his patience with late-night drunk callers who are rude. But his undisguised frustrations are a source of guilty pleasure for many listeners – Lee is sometimes harsh but what he says is truth. And besides, the drunks never seem to mind.

Iain Lee

Iain’s natural funny bones shine through in his hosting. He communicates effortlessly with callers and always puts the other speaker in the limelight, often setting them up to get the laughs, rather than taking them all for himself. Repeat callers serve as callbacks to past conversations and give the show much needed structure. And each three-hour show is conveniently whittled down to a thirty-minute-long podcast for those who aren’t awake during broadcast, making for punchy shows packed full to the brim with original ideas and hilarious conversation.

Iain Lee is inclusive with his humour and his attitude towards listeners. With his sharp tongue, however, Late Nights With Iain Lee does not make for a particularly cushy night in. For conversations that’ll make you laugh out loud and something to fill insomniac nights or if you’re just up late, then look no further than Iain Lee on Talk Radio.

For more information, follow Iain Lee on Twitter and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube

MAY COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH: GUZ KHAN

May Comedian of the Month #40, Guz Khan

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Guz Khan is a Brummie comedian (well he’s from Coventry, at least), so maybe that’s why I feel a personal connection to his comedy, and to him. After all, I first came across Khan at a fundraising event for Crisis at Birmingham Glee Club. But while this fun night of charity promoting and laughter is how I came to know of Guz, many others have become aware of him through his YouTube videos, as this video urging people to boycott Jurassic World went viral:

Khan quit his teaching job in 2015 to pursue a comedy career full time, after landing himself a radio role presenting the Saturday Breakfast Show on BBC Asian Network. He has since written a comedy pilot for BBC Three, called Man Like Mobeen, about a reformed gangster who becomes a man of faith and is landed with the responsibility of looking after his younger sisters.

And if his viral YouTube videos somehow passed you by, surely you can’t have missed Guz Khan’s cheeky humour on your Facebook timeline this week. Guz has been exploring the perception of British Muslims in 2017. This is a sensitive topic and Khan has recognised that he has a powerful voice within this area, because he is part of the group receiving prejudice that is worsening as terrorist attacks in the UK are increasing and ignorance has created a bigoted blame game. Guz’s message, and therefore his comic voice, is particularly important right now. And it helps that he is geting his message across in his effortlessly charismatic, droll way.

For more information, follow Guz Khan on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

APRIL COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH: CARIAD LLOYD

April: Comedian Of The Month #39, Cariad Lloyd

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Cariad Lloyd is a regular face on television these days. She  has become a frequent guest on QI during the past few years as well as starring in the likes of Peep Show, Murder in Successville, Crackanory and Crims.

But this comic and writer has many strings to her bow. With an aptitude for improvisation, Cariad is animated and engaging, able to endear herself to audiences with ease. She is a member of the highly acclaimed Jane Austen-inspired improvised sketch group Austentatious: The Improvised Novel (fellow cast member Jospeh Morpurgo has been MoodyComedy’s Comedian of the Month in the past).

© Richard Davenport

The area of Cariad’s work that I have most recently enjoyed, however, is her relatively new podcast: The Grief Cast. As you might guess from the title, it is a series about dealing with losing a loved one. Cariad, who has personally suffered from such a loss, invites comedians and writers to talk within a lighthearted yet honest and sometimes quite frank discussion about their experiences.

Lloyd is empathetic and clearly very emotionally mature, and she supports her fellow comics as they share stories from the most painful parts of their lives. Though, at the same time, The Grief Cast is factual and both interviewer and interviewees don’t muck around when it comes to being blunt yet fair regarding the realities of death and grief. Cariad as a story elicitor is honest but never judgemental. This podcast is quite honestly a pleasure to listen to. You can listen to it here.

For more information, follow Cariad Lloyd on Twitter or visit her website.

Book tickets for Austentatious: The Improvised Novel’s nationwide tour here.

MARCH COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH: LOU CONRAN

Seven Questions With… Lou Conran

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Lou Conran is a very popular voice on the stand up circuit, which is why she was named MoodyComedy’s Comedian of the Month in March. Perhaps known best for her excellent MC skills and for her work writing for Standard Issue, Lou is a comic that most will find hard to dislike. She is uncompromising and unafraid of judgement, yet friendly, open and real. And on top of all this, Lou is endeavouring to raise £50,000 for the Saying Goodbye charity that supports parents suffering the loss of a baby, in birth or infancy. There is more information about how you can help Lou make a difference here.
I asked Lou these seven questions to find out more about her…

1) How do you like your eggs in the morning?

Boiled. Eggs are a serious business. I once ate 24 in two weeks and had to have colonic irrigation to clear the blockage.

2) How do you propose we solve the issue of global warming?

Take your jumper off silly.

© Andy Hollingworth

3) How would you fare in a zombie apocalypse?

I like the element of risk, but I’d definitely be first to be eaten.

4) Do your family find you funny?

Disturbed I think rather than funny.

5) If you could say one sentence to Donald Trump, what would it be?

Doesn’t that Velcro fringe itch?

6) What should we all do at least once in our lives?

Contrary to what a previous boyfriend suggested I should do at least once, I’d say the thing that you fear doing, do it. What’s the worst that could happen? (Apart from death but then at least you’d not have bills to pay, and you’d lose weight….)

7) Do you prefer being an MC or performing straight stand up?

I love MCing, which is what I do most of. But on the rare occasion I get to do a set I get stupidly nervous, but find it a bit more exhilarating, but either or really. I just love doing it.

Support Lou Conran’s fundraising challenge here.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…