Comedian Of The Month

May: Comedian Of The Month #28, Tez Ilyas

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

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

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

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.

© Spencer Jones

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

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

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

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

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

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

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

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

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

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

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

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

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.

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© Jessie Cave

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

October: Comedian Of The Month #21, Luke Toulson

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

If there was ever a man who could make stand up comedy look easy, effortless even, then Luke Toulson is that man. His casual, relaxed stage personality is surely the subject of many a stand up comedian’s professional envy, but Toulson is an immediately likeable comic, so it can be assumed that he will be forgiven.

Toulson may be slick but he certainly doesn’t come across as false or vacuous, in fact, quite the opposite; Chortle have in the past described him a “gimmick-free”. Of course, it is impossible to decipher true anecdotes from amended or altered ones. His material openly references his children and their mother and their mother’s new partner, amongst other things, and perhaps elements of these narratives are constructed for comedic effect. However, it is indisputable that the core beliefs behind anecdotes are genuine, or at least hold a nugget of truth, because they come from such a self-depreciating place, therefore giving Toulson’s comedy an endearing quality that is crucial for forming a long-lasting audience relationship.

LT1Complaints and insecurities regarding fatherhood are common themes for male stand up comedians to tackle and when it takes an interesting, or perhaps darker, slant, the blend of emotional material and unpredictable writing can make for excellent comedy. This is a particular strength of Luke’s: a large portion of his material seems to talk about family, but it never becomes self-involved or overly indulgent on the behalf of the performer. There are enough sharp, cutting and sinister throwaway lines to allow him to get away with it.

Luke Toulson is arguably a performer before he is a writer (a compliment to his stage presence rather than insult to his material), by which I mean his movement around the stage and communication with, as well as consideration of, audiences makes him stand out against the majority of comics. He’s a natural story-teller and a very relatable one at that.

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

SEPTEMBER COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

September: Comedian Of The Month #20, Sarah Kendall

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

Australian stand up Sarah Kendall, one of the nominees for this year’s Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award, is the epitome of a child trapped in the body of an adult, in the most entertaining of ways. Bringing a lack of self-consciousness and an upbeat demeanour to the stage, Sarah’s words often seem to ring true, even if they are absolutely ridiculous throwaway comments. This is a result of her charming confidence that assures audiences that the slight possibility of derailment is in fact totally controlled, but the possibility that it might not be is enthralling.

Not all stand up comedy in this world is completely enjoyable to watch; comedians are constantly working hard to challenge audiences in terms of their material and general performance features, because that is what makes comedy successful, innovative and exciting. However, what is even more exciting, for me at least, is to find a comic who ticks all of those boxes in terms of creating original, intelligent material, but who is also continuously fun. Sarah Kendall’s energy rarely dips and her enthusiasm on stage is truly enjoyable to see.

Footage from Sarah’s performance on Russell Howard’s Good News in 2009 could easily be mistaken for content from a recent series. Her material feels timeless in a way similar to that of absurdist stand up Paul Foot: topical cultural references are not necessary here and it seems that Kendall might be making a conscious effort to avoid them. This comedian strikes a chord with audiences due to the blend of a sweet and relatable personality with a certain subverted weirdness that works under the surface, shining more brightly when she plays up to surreal scenarios. Sarah Kendall is rapidly becoming a big name in the UK as well as in Australia.

Read more about Sarah Kendall here and follow her on Twitter.

August: Comedian Of The Month #19, Eleanor Tiernan

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Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

This month’s Comedian Of The Month is the ever articulate and artistically mature Eleanor Tiernan, a comic who is particularly recognisable on the stand up circuit as a result of her time spent supporting acts such as Tommy Tiernan, Stewart Lee, Reginald D Hunter, Ardal O’Hanlon and Jason Byrne. Irish comedian Eleanor Tiernan first began performing stand up in 2004; she starred in a play at the Edinburgh Festival in 2007 as well as performing solo stand up shows in later years, beginning with Irish American where she performed on a bill alongside American comic John F. O’Donnell.

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Tiernan’s comedy is insightful and educational, and each performance has a rather sophisticated feel, reflected in the subject matter of the material: past shows have explored ideas such as feminism and national identity. Timing is clearly an important aspect of Eleanor Tiernan’s creative process and the swiftness of her material benefits as a result, with the comedian showing a successful balance of slightly awkward silences with a delightful, chatty demeanour.

Upon visiting her website I came across a very thoughtfully written FAQ page which is proof enough of this comedian’s refined writing skill and natural ability regarding the posing of insightful existential questions in relation to religion, comedy and general life-living, without appearing pretentious or presumptuous in her answers. Modesty is a virtue in this day and age, and it is refreshing to come across it in such an unassuming, endearing performer.

Eleanor has been performing her latest hour Don’t Cry For Me Eleanor Tiernan at the Edinburgh Festival and is continuing to travel around Ireland and the UK with her stand up.

For more information, visit Eleanor Tiernan’s website and follow her on Twitter.