Comedian Of The Month

August: Comedian Of The Month #31, Jayde Adams

September 7, 2016 by Becca Moody 1 Comment

As the winner of 2014’s Funny Women Award and nominee for Best Newcomer at this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Jayde Adams is a name and a voice you will certainly be hearing a lot more of in the coming months.

Bristol-born stand up comic Jayde Adams is boisterous, bright and bossy. She sets an agenda early on; there are things to do and simply no time for mucking around: “I haven’t got time for your insecurities,” she barks at an audience member who reluctantly joins her on stage. Here we have a performer who is incredibly easy for me to write about; she is loud and provocative, with colourful costume, dance and props making her sets visually interesting, as well as a powerful singing voice and abundance of musical tracks to diversify her sets.

Her 2016 Edinburgh show is entitled 31 (and may I point out here that it is a complete, yet undeniably satisfying, coincidence that Adams is MoodyComedy’s 31st Comedian of the Month) and is a vibrant tribute to the singer Adele. And many comparisons can be drawn between the two performers, both refreshingly honest, uncomplicated and effortlessly funny. But beneath the colour and noise, Adams’ latest show is concerned with the fragility of confidence, whether that be onstage or within oneself.

Best Newcomer nominees at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2016 © Edinburgh Comedy Awards

And there are layers, parts of this comedian that we have to wait patiently to learn, and though there is a limited availability of these moments to view online, one only has to read an interview with Jayde to witness her willing vulnerability in opening up about her personal life. Her openness is what makes her likeable, whilst earlier behaviours may lead an audience to assume that this comedian does not feel the need to be liked. At the end of the day, Jayde Adams knows what she is good at, and ultimately that is making people laugh.

For more information, visit Jayde Adams’ website and follow her on Twitter.

JULY COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

July: Comedian Of The Month #30, Luke Heggie

August 20, 2016 by Becca Moody 1 Comment

In March of this year, I spoke briefly with comedian and podcaster Stuart Goldsmith (the brain behind potentially the king of all comedy podcasts, The Comedian’s Comedian). I asked Goldsmith if there were any episodes of his podcast that he wished more people would listen to; any particular comedians he had interviewed who he thinks deserve a listen from every comedy fan. The name he instantly put forward was that of Luke Heggie, and now, just four months later, it is my turn to recommend Heggie to you, just as Stu recommended him to me.

Heggie is a no-nonsense Aussie performer. A builder by day as well as being a husband and father, he’s a busy man and he clearly doesn’t spare much time for messing around. Perhaps this is the reason for his word and joke economy being so high, then, with his punchy, fast-paced delivery and an almost aggressive, subversive attitude making for an impassioned stand up experience.

Openly embracing cynicism, Luke has an angry energy about him, and this energy is consistent throughout each set, whether that be expressed through snappy one liners or longer-form anecdotes, which the comic himself confesses can “border on ranty sarcasm but I don’t really give a shit.” He has a powerful voice, and he refers to issues that, although specific and detailed, can be related to by audiences as we can each draw different things from his narratives.

And even though Heggie holds so much resentment for so many idiots he encounters in his own life, we can’t help but pray that we don’t fit the descriptions of the resented, because this comedian has a strange ability to make his audience wish he would accept us, rather than us accepting him. Luke Heggie has been working on the circuit for around six years now, but one could be forgiven for assuming he has many more years under his belt, with his slating character assassinations and acerbic stage presence effortlessly asserting him as the most powerful presence in a room. You can listen to Luke Heggie’s interview with Stuart Goldsmith here.

For more information, visit Luke Heggie’s website and follow him on Twitter.

JUNE COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

June: Comedian Of The Month #29, Tom Lucy

July 6, 2016 by Becca Moody 1 Comment

Tom Lucy

Guildford-born stand up comedian Tom Lucy is only nineteen years old and has already supported the likes of Harry Hill, Simon Amstell and Russell Howard on tour. Upon walking on stage, Lucy has expressed that the first thing on his agenda is often to address his young age: “It’s almost like having a physical disability or something; you have to mention it as soon as you get on stage, or it makes people nervous.” He’s not apologetic for being so young, though, and at no point does Tom make any attempt to spout advice to those who have lived longer than him; there is, somewhat refreshingly, no sense of self-entitlement to be seen.

It’s worth questioning, then, whether being young in the comedy industry is something that serves to benefit a performer (this draws a neat parallel with MoodyComedy, with the site first coming into existence when I was fifteen; it is very much a case of trial and error, and learning as we go along). It seems that Tom has been able to use his apparent innocence to his advantage, with his cool-headed demeanour on stage giving the impression of experience way beyond his years. Any nerves are cleverly concealed, masked by an array of quirky mannerisms that he may not even be aware that he is doing. His material is honest and relatable, often covering issues relating to puberty and relationships, though Lucy still manages to appeal to an older audience as well. Unsurprising, then, that he has recently been crowned Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year.

For more information, visit Tom Lucy’s website and follow him on Twitter.

MAY COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

May: Comedian Of The Month #28, Tez Ilyas

June 5, 2016 by Becca Moody 1 Comment

An interesting performer featured on the BBC’s recent online stand up showcase, Live From The BBC, is Tez Ilyas, a 33-year-old comedian who has been working as a stand up for around six years.

This bright-eyed comic is smart, self-assured and unperturbed. Ilyas has a cheeky chappy demeanour about him, particularly with regard to his material stemming from his religious background and Pakistani heritage. This is somewhat similar to that of Imran Yusef, with both performers having free reign over their subjects in such as way that other comedians would have difficulty accessing. This ability to break through any potential discomfort when approaching ‘taboo’ topics such as racism or terrorism and gives Tez Ilyas a subtly powerful stance in the room.

Much of his material that is available online stems from a few of this comedian’s core values, with this emotional accessibility making Tez an immediately likeable performer. The laughter often comes from a desire to be onside with Ilyas, with his approachable demeanour breaking down taboo topics into more accessible elements. Tez Ilyas brings his latest show Made in Britain to this year’s Edinburgh Festival.

For more information, visit Tez Ilyas’ website and follow him on Twitter.

APRIL COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

April: Comedian Of The Month #27, Spencer Jones

May 4, 2016 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

Spencer Jones is certainly a performer that takes some getting used to. Appearing as his character The Herbert, a strange and spritely figure with bright clothes and hunched shoulders, Jones approaches the medium of stand up comedy in a way I haven’t quite seen before, throwing out customary communication norms with little regard for them.

In a recent interview with Stuart Goldsmith for The Comedian’s Comedian, Spencer states that it is important to “Let people know you’re under pressure but really happy about it,” and this mantra sums up his style of comedy effectively. The comic gives frequent non-verbal signals to audiences that he cannot quite understand how he is getting away with this; the look on his face suggests a query of, ‘Why am I here, and why are the laughing?’. Often it seems as though he has little control over his own actions on stage, though closer inspection can determine that his act is incredibly closely crafted with the chaos that Jones alludes to serving only as dramatic illusion.

It all seems very innocent; Spencer utilises music, costume and props that all have an air of the home-made about them. His facial expressions are often reminiscent of Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean and it does seem that The Herbert would make a fantastic children’s television character. In the meantime, though, Spencer Jones’ recent performance on Live From The BBC is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

For more information, visit Spencer Jones’ website and follow him on Twitter.

MARCH COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

March: Comedian Of The Month #26, John Moloney

April 2, 2016 by Becca Moody 1 Comment

john-moloney-2010-june March’s Comedian of the Month is a well-experienced performer on the stand up comedy circuit, an act who brings with him a peculiar veil of calm suggesting the reassurance of experience.

London-born stand up John Moloney speaks in a markedly droll, downbeat tone, often reacting as though he cannot comprehend why audiences find him amusing. A front, of course, because with a back-catalogue of strong one-liners, this comedian is certainly confident in his material and taking his time with the delivery allows the impact of each to hit harder. With a skill for multi-layered observation, Moloney’s comedy caters to a wide range of audiences, entertaining those who are content with an arguably more simplistic joke-writing formation whilst also pleasing those with an eye for detail. This shows a self-assuredness to his performance, demonstrating an ability to put audiences at ease.

It is no surprise, then, that he was included in Channel 4’s list of ‘100 Greatest Stand Ups’ back in 2006, but this makes it all the more frustrating to note that this comic is not a regular face on television. Moloney, it can be argued, fits within a strange sub-category of acts in the comedy industry, as a comedian with very accessible material, yet who isn’t given the platform to reach the full extent of that potential audience.

There is no shame in being a crowd-pleaser and a new face on the television circuit is always welcomed by the majority of us, particularly as I feel increasingly bored to see the same faces on every panel show and variety show out there. There are enough acts to choose from, surely we can afford to change it up a little bit by now?

For more information, visit John Moloney’s website and follow him on Twitter.

FEBRUARY COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

February: Comedian Of The Month #25, Joseph Morpurgo

March 4, 2016 by Becca Moody 2 Comments

It can often be found that the success of a stand up comic originates from an ability to manipulate language in order to convey incredibly specific meaning. This skill is particularly evident in the sketches of this month’s Comedian of the Month, Joseph Morpurgo. Morpurgo is articulate and expressive in his storytelling in such a way that characters are given a great sense of depth. Pair that with a knack for physical dramatism and extravagance and you get what could be deemed a multi-layered, new style of slapstick comedy.

While researching this intriguing performer, it was a delight to discover an improvisational comedy group named Austentatious, of which Morpurgo is a co-creator and member. This discovery led me to become more excited about a comedy group than I ever have before; if you search for their trailer online you will see why. In fact, a lot of Joseph Morpurgo’s professional credits come with an element of improvisation, with him working with other comedy groups as well as teaching improv all over the country.

Joseph Morpurgo

Is it any surprise that Joseph Morpurgo leads this year’s group of Chortle nominees? Probably not. With nominations for Breakthrough Act, Best Show (for his 2015 Edinburgh show Soothing Sounds For Baby) and the Award For Innovation (also for Soothing Sounds For Baby), this name will soon be a very recognisable one. If my point needed proving at all, simply note the fact Morpurgo is nominated for an award for innovation in comedy. I think that speaks volumes, as it implies a great respect and genuine passion for the craft to an extent that new and exciting things are being created, and that is what keeps comedy alive.

Voting has now closed for this year’s Chortle awards with the award ceremony taking place on March 22nd and Austentatious are currently touring their Improvised Jane Austen Novel around the UK.

Click here for more information about Joseph Morpurgo and follow him on Twitter.

JANUARY COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

January: Comedian Of The Month #24, Gráinne Maguire

February 4, 2016 by Becca Moody 2 Comments

grainne_new It is both refreshing and comforting to have a comedian who is politically active and outspoken but does not tell their audiences what to think or do. Irish stand up comedian and writer Gráinne Maguire is not an unfamiliar face on programmes like BBC Question Time, in fact, she appeared on the programme in January, discussing the need to lift the ban on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

Maguire may be a comedian with a passion for political debate but she certainly doesn’t fit the mould of your stereotypical ‘political comedian’. Although there is an array of skilful comics producing bleak satirical programmes shows such as Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe, Gráinne approaches from a different perspective; a pleasingly constructive one. She is yet another coherent voice in the media attempting to make political issues accessible to a wider audience, who doesn’t feel the need to make ridiculous requests such as that her followers abstain from voting in general elections.

Gráinne has even ventured into the land of forbidden material for female comics; she has spoken publicly about her menstrual cycle. Heaven forbid! Back in November 2015, Maguire made headlines when she decided to tweet the details of her period to Ireland’s prime minister, Enda Kenny, as a means of criticising the criminalisation of abortion in Ireland. She reasoned that if the Government could dictate what a woman does with her own body, she was perfectly justified in providing a little more information as to what being a woman entails.

Gráinne Maguire is brave, bold and tongue-in-cheek. She maturely tackles large social and political issues with humour, proving that comedy is an extremely valuable art form in today’s politically turbulent world.

For more information, visit Gráinne Maguire’s website and follow her on Twitter.

DECEMBER COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

December: Comedian Of The Month #23, Al Porter

January 7, 2016 by Becca Moody 1 Comment

Al Porter is surely the epitome of a comedy success story, familiar to many as a result of his recent appearance on BBC’s Live At The Apollo, during November. At only 22 years of age, this stand up comedian has been working the circuit for just a few years and has been quick to establish a name for himself in Ireland as well as across the UK, even making it to the semi-finals of So You Think You’re Funny within a mere three months of his first gig. He also performed his debut stand up hour, Al Porter Is Yours at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.

Al Porter

It’s hard not to like Al. Maybe it’s partly due to the accent, or perhaps his unyielding enthusiasm for performance, but the pivotal reason, it has to be recognised, is Porter’s sheer level of skill that he utilises to provide entertainment that is full of energy and positivity. Clearly Porter is a born showman, with a talent for building a rapport with audiences. He’s chatty and flamboyant but slick with a manner and abundance of material that has an undeniably uplifting quality, making it clear that Al is a man who appreciates and understands the role of an entertainer and works tirelessly to fill that quota.

Surely I can’t be the only person to feel as though this young man has somehow managed to harness the spirit a strange but endearing Irish grandfather in his performance persona? Dapper in his pristine suit and tie and armed with a storyteller’s stage presence, Al Porter is not only accessible and enjoyable to watch, but he gives the impression of wisdom beyond his years, making him someone who’s stories are well worth a listen.

For more information, visit Al Porter’s website and follow him on Twitter.

NOVEMBER COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

November: Comedian Of The Month #22, Jessie Cave

December 1, 2015 by Becca Moody 1 Comment

Jessie Cave is a comedian with her fingers in many pies, epitomising the spirit of a naive school girl, with a style of comedy that borders on being uncomfortably honest. Recognisable from major franchises such as Harry Potter and Glue (Channel 4), Cave is an actress, artist, blogger, stand up comedian and all-round creative with a great deal of natural talent and innovation. It only takes a brief glance at her Instagram page to determine that here we have someone who is one of a kind, and is making a great success of that fact.

Though the amount of pure stand up available on the internet is extremely limited, it is easy to see that Jessie’s stage persona is very similar to the persona she presents through various other artistic mediums, such as through her cartoon doodles and short films. Her latest stand up hour I Loved Her has been praised for its truthfulness and bitter edge, describing the woes of neurotic obsession, possessiveness and extreme loneliness.

In 2012 Jessie Cave worked as essentially a part of Simon Amstell’s publicity team, creating a series of strange YouTube interviews with the aim not only to promote Amstell’s show Numb, but also as a means of attempting to make the comic as enthusiastic about the internet as Cave is. As well as being able to portray Amstell in a way that is more realistic than that of other comedy appearances (note his time spent as controversial Never Mind The Buzzcocks host), these videos demonstrate Jessie’s ability to derive humour from standard conversations, a side effect, no doubt, of her bubbly personality.

It is hard to avoid the fact that Jessie Cave is a character, or at least an exaggeration of the performer, but this is a character that audiences feel inclined to indulge. She is like being in the school playground; she is misbehaving in class.

For more information, visit Jessie Cave’s website, follow her on Twitter and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

OCTOBER COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH