Comedians

Seven Questions With… Luke Heggie

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Luke Heggie is an Australian stand up comedian who speaks with a hilarious blend of passive rage and cynicism. Heggie’s comedy reflects the various elements of life that he has to juggle, being a husband and father as well as a builder by trade and a comic by night. So it’s understandable that there are countless people that get on his nerves, and he isn’t afraid to tell us about them.
To learn more about Luke, I asked him these seven questions…

1) How does your day job affect your writing?

I work on building sites, so there’s no shortage of dickheads to write about. It’s a job I can walk around thinking about other things, muttering to myself, and generally working in my own head. It hinders me because I’m buggered by the time I get home, and have to force myself to stay awake to either go to a gig or write a bit.

2) What worries you? 

Death by violence. I don’t too much care about anything else. If I manage to stay alive, I can feed my family, and I live in a country where it would be somewhat of an achievement to starve to death.

© Danny Aarons

© Danny Aarons

3) Are you open to change?

No. I don’t like change, unless it directly benefits me and no one else.

4) What do you wish people would stop doing?

Cross-breeding poodles just to create a cutesy name for dogs. Crunching passionfruit in their teeth. Wearing those shoes with the stupid separate toes. Putting on hats that ride low on the skull so they can tuck their ears in. Despite being an adult, getting offended (usually on someone else’s behalf) at someone like me swearing. I come from swearing. Serving up tomatoes at a dinner party with the corks still in, and expecting me to eat them. Searching vigorously for a cause to align themselves with in order to self-promote, riding mobility scooters at peak shopping times, using tissue box covers, putting a cutlery caddy on the table – what’s in your top drawer cockhead? Making a noise when they yawn. Putting one hand up on the wall at the urinal. and telling me what I can and can’t fucking say.

5) Is having children selfless or selfish?

Neither. Depends on the motive. If you preach that the world needs a new leader (like your child will be one day) to guide it through the future, then you’re probably a deluded pikey. If you’re one of those who preach that the world needs less people, then you’re probably infertile, and/or no one wants to be near you, let alone start a family with you.

6) Do you have a guilty conscience?

No I don’t. If I ever did anything wrong I might; I’m not an idiot. But it’s yet to happen that I have done something to feel guilty about. 

7) Does anger ever hinder your comedy or writing?

If I’m angry at someone, I usually just go around and egg their house or car, and the issue is solved. I go for a quick run, and head home to write with a clear head. As a performer, I don’t bang the mic stand indignantly at social injustices, or get angry in general. By the time I get to a stage to say what someone has done to annoy me, I’ve usually settled the vendetta and let it go. I don’t care much for bottling anger. I’m a grown up.

VISIT LUKE HEGGIE’S WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

November: Comedian Of The Month #34, Rose Matafeo

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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.

New Zealand comedian and actor Rose Matafeo was first brought to my attention upon her appearance as a panellist on the latest series of Have I Got News For You. I imagine this is the same for many watchers of primarily British comedy, unless you happened to catch her at 2016’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival performing her highly acclaimed show Rose Matafeo is Finally Dead.

Rose’s comedy is fun, youthful and well-crafted. She effortlessly reels people in with her quietly confident charm, bringing an air of excitement to stage alongside an assurance that this performer knows what she is doing. Her occasional droll remarks allude to a darker, sarcastic side, which makes for an interesting balancing act between silliness and astute personal reflection.

Rose Matafeo

Rose Matafeo

It seems that Matafeo is somewhat of an internet sensation in New Zealand, with many peculiar YouTube videos (such as her series Feline Fine) and her ‘speed dating’ interviews with some of the biggest names in American comedy such as Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer, Trainwreck) and Saturday Night Live‘s Bill Hader. Rose also spent over two years as a presenter on U Live on New Zealand TV.

With a bright and exciting energy, Rose Matafeo is an artist I look forward to seeing more of as her influence on the British comedy scene increases, which I have no doubt it will.

For more information, follow Rose Matafeo on Twitter.

OCTOBER COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

Review: Rhys James – Forgives and Adam Hess – Feathers

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Rhys James and Adam Hess have been touring the country with their latest Edinburgh shows, bringing them eventually to the studio room at Birmingham’s Glee Club. The audience gathered is small but the atmosphere is good; improved certainly by the obvious strong friendship between the two comics performing. They live together, enjoy annoying each other and frequently refer to each other in their sets. Adam can even be seen sat on the floor in the corner of the room during Rhys’s performance.

Rhys James’s comedy is sillier than I anticipated it being. The impression I have always had of him is a rather cutting, almost condescending one, and his presence on stage comes as a surprise. With strange idiosyncrasies like the abbreviation of “high presh sitch,” as well as the flippant “soz”, James’s comedy is energetic, playful and enthusiastic. Amongst the impression of careful craft in terms of joke and narrative structure, Rhys has charming elements of impulsivity, referring to the four empty seats on the front row: “They come to all my gigs.”

An indicator of Rhys’s understanding of the craft is his own comment on his comedy. He seems to be very self aware and reflective, casting opinions on his actions within the narratives as well as the reactions his jokes receive in the room. This comedian is able to develop a believable narrative that encompasses detailed and obscure observations he has made without leaving the show disjointed; in fact, it is rather seamless. Rhys James’s latest hour is excellently written. He is cynical and analytical, whilst remaining endearing, with the show even getting quite emotional towards the end as the comic considers his next fifteen years of life.

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Now, it’s not difficult to believe that Adam Hess was the naughty kid at school. Hess seems to have retained this strange blend of pride and shame, paired with an innate sense of mischief that makes him a really likeable performer. The comic tumbles onto stage with a somewhat frantic energy that builds as the show progresses, his material getting stranger and stranger as he delves further into rather odd experiences from both his childhood and adulthood.

It seems as though Hess has had a tough year. His extravagant tale of recent efforts to make a banana split alone on Valentine’s Day at 2am is rather depressing. But his flailing desperation isn’t dampening of the mood, but rather bordering on hysterical. Adam knows he’s an object of pity according to this narrative, and plays it to his advantage. And if you let your mind wander for as little as one minute, you will jolt back to attention having missed a multitude of ideas that fly at his audience with impressive pace. His joke economy reflects his attention span, perhaps, and watching Adam perform has moments that are exhilarating.

It is interesting to consider the effect of social media presence on the stand up style of these two performers. Both shows are well-formed, with space for spur-of-the-moment audience interaction and callbacks where each comic rebounded off the enthusiasm the audience were already reflecting back. There are concise jokes and multi-layered scenarios, perfect for the Twitter generation and incredibly handy for keeping the energy up within live performance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT RHYS JAMES AND ADAM HESS’S WEBSITES

October: Comedian Of The Month #33, Eddy Brimson

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Eddy Brimson

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.

October’s Comedian of the Month is actor, writer and stand up comedian Eddy Brimson, who appeared on a bill alongside Andre Vincent, Funmbi Omotayo and Ben Norris (the latter, being a recognisable face on MoodyComedy) at Glee Club Cardiff last month.

Gliding on to stage, Eddy Brimson has a stern but surprisingly warm and genuine demeanour. He acknowledges the fact that he is an intimidating presence at first impression with the assertive recognition, “I’m very aware of my face”. He also controls a rowdy Saturday night comedy audience with efficiency, beginning with ruder material but later evolving his set into something much more personal. While Brimson is clearly able to please a crowd, he can also focus in on much smaller details of scenarios and conversations, providing unexpectedly idiosyncratic observations as he does so.

Eddy certainly has a soft side, and this comes to light in his slightly more whimsical material, such as that about his concern for the panda species. He is also unafraid of opening himself up emotionally in front of an audience, speaking briefly about his recent divorce, for instance, and this counteracts any disconnection allowed to form through the use of crowd work and informalities.

Eddy Brimson’s comedy is well-crafted and uncomplicated; his voice confident and cutting. He is certainly a performer to watch out for on the weekend comedy circuit.

For more information, visit Eddy Brimson’s website.

SEPTEMBER COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

Seven Questions With… Dan Finnerty

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Dan Finnerty is an American comic and musician, who is also the face of THE DAN BAND. Touring internationally, Finnerty is a face and voice you may recognise from The Hangover and Old School. The band have released two comedy albums and are currently working on a third. They will be performing at The Garage in London this evening and there is still time to buy a ticket.
I asked Dan these seven questions to find out more…

1) What makes an audience memorable for you?

HAVING an audience is always a good start. We did a random show last year for a promoter who we later found out was tripping on acid for a month straight or something and he forgot to “promote” the show. So somewhere in the middle of Kentucky, we performed to about 11 people. But it actually ended up being one of our favorite shows ever, because I guess at that point the bar was so low for all of us – audience included – that it was only uphill from there.

2) What is the key to comedic creativity?

A gentle mix of instincts, listening and vodka.

3) Are you a good judge of character?

I can tell if someone is a good person or not by how much they laugh during my show.

© Mike Carano

© Mike Carano

dan2

4) Are you stubborn?

I don’t feel like answering that question.

5) What is your favourite memory from your work as an actor so far?

My favorite (I just had a fight with myself over whether to add the U or just do the American spelling. I know it’s your language we’re speaking over here, but I felt like an impostour douing it, so I had to bail). What was the question? The honest answer is it was doing the movie “The Terminal”, directed by Steven Spielberg. He had come to see my show when it first was getting popular in LA and afterwards he gave me a part in the movie. Besides constantly laughing that doing drunk karaoke had ultimately lead me to a Spielberg movie, the most memorable part was my first day on the set. I’d gone in for a wardrobe fitting and they suddenly decided I should be in the big dramatic scene where Tom Hanks’ character finds out he can finally go back to his country. They rushed me over and placed me next to Catherine Zeta-Jones and called “Action”. Just as Tom Hanks began to muster up some of his best Tom Hanks Oscar emotions, the theme to “Sanford & Son” started blasting out of my pocket from the cell phone I forgot to turn off. They cut and screamed“Who the HELL has a cell phone?!?”, as I clutched my pants pocket and just stared at the Zeta-Jones like “Be cool, lady.”

6) Do you prefer cats or dogs?

Dogs. There’s no comparison. To a cat, YOU are the pet.

7) What is the best thing about traveling?

Waiting in line to get your airline ticket. And then waiting to check your luggage. And then waiting in the security line. And then waiting in the line to get on the plane. And then waiting in line to get off the plane. And then waiting in line to get a taxi. I should’ve said queue. Let me start over…

TICKETS TO SEE THE DAN BAND AT THE GARAGE IN LONDON ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

Seven Questions With… Lauren Pattison

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© Andy Hollingworth

Lauren Pattison is one of the youngest comedians to have been featured on MoodyComedy, having being named September’s Comedian of the Month, though watching her perform does not leave an impression of inexperience or immaturity. Lauren is a bright and exciting performer who grows in popularity with each passing year, becoming associated with bigger names in the world of comedy as she does so.
I asked Lauren these seven questions to find out more about her…

1) What lead you to stand up comedy at such a young age?

I don’t know, it’s really weird. I wasn’t even an attention seeker or anything, I was dead shy! I just got a bit obsessed with making people laugh. I’ve always enjoyed making people laugh and it’s an addictive little habit to fall into. Less addictive than crack but just as moreish. I think it helps I’ve been brought up on good comedy by my dad! One of my earliest memories is being off sick from school and we watched the Jolly Boys Outing episode of Only Fools & Horses together. So blame him if you don’t like my style, it is all his fault and nothing at all to do with me. I had my first go of stand up when I was 15 because the Youth Theatre I went to every week for drama lessons ran a comedy course for us. I bloody loved it. It was just a bit of a fun but I knew I’d found something I absolutely adored. I felt too young to really do anything else with it other than a couple of performances at my drama group, cause I was too young to get into any clubs or pubs so I decided I’d do something about it when I turned 18. I spent the next couple of years just absolutely devouring comedy, while most girls my age were spending their money on make up and cider I was spending mine on tickets to see comedy. And cider. Sure enough when I turned 18, I tried to get into it, just as a hobby and it’s safe to say it snowballed just a tad.

2) What are you grateful for?

The Boots Meal Deal is a saviour and I am grateful to the Gods that it exists.

But seriously, I’m grateful for having lots of lovely supportive and understanding people around me! For my mam and dad who didn’t kick off when their youngest offspring was like ‘HIYA I WANT TO EMBARK ON A VERY FINANCIALLY UNSTABLE CAREER CHOICE AND I’M ALSO GONNA DROP THE C BOMB IN FRONT OF LOTS OF STRANGERS ON A REGULAR BASIS’ and who come see loads of my gigs and don’t tell me off for swearing and still laugh even though they’ve heard it a million times before and it’s almost definitely not funny anymore.

And to my comedian friends who get messages from me at like stupid o clock in the early hours of the morning like ‘hello I am not good at comedy aren’t I tell me the truth am I wasting my time’ and every time they tell me I am being a nugget and try their best to talk some sense into their favourite little mess of a human. Corry Shaw, Matt Reed, Adam Rowe, Si Beckwith are always good at cheering me up and Sam Gore and Rob Mulholland were my favourite alcohol angels in Edinburgh that kept my spirits metaphorically and literally (aka gin) topped up at all times.

I’m also so grateful for some of the opportunities I’ve had through comedy, literally couldn’t have even dreamed I’d get to do some of the things I’ve done! This all started as just a hobby, a bit of fun, I never would have expected to be on stage in front of 2500 people at Latitude or a theatre full of people doing tour support for Katherine Ryan. I’ll never take anything I get for granted, I’ll always feel so grateful for every cool thing I get to do cause I know how lucky I am to be able to do that for a night instead of working a 12 hour shift on minimum wage!

3) Who would you most like to see right now?

My nephew! He’s ace. I love him to bits. He’s only 5 but I think we are right on each other’s wave length. He tells me I am ‘the best joker’ and that is the highest praise I could want from the only critic who’s opinion I truly care about. He got really upset when I told him I was moving to London and went upstairs to pack a bag then got even more upset and told me he only had ‘3 moneys’ for the train and would someone be able to lend him ‘just 2 more moneys’ so he could come on the train with me and my little heart just BROKE INTO A MILLION TINY PIECES. I miss him loads. And I miss having a little human to take to the cinema to see kids films and eat his sweets when he’s not looking. Now I have to go on my own and look weird and steal other kids sweets.

4) What keeps you awake at night?

EVERYTHING! Mainly worry and comedy and worrying about comedy. I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights since I moved to London! Most people know I’m a massive worrier and I don’t have a whole load of self confidence (if anyone knows where I can get me some of that please email me) and my brain tends to really like to remind me of these things just as I’m snuggly in bed ready to go to sleep.

Recently I haven’t been able to sleep cause – I’m worried moving to London was the wrong thing to do, I’m worried that I’m never going to be able to be in a position financially to leave my day job and just be a comedian, I’m worried I’m going to sleep in, I’m worried that I’m not good enough to be a comic, I’m worried I worry too much, I’m worried where I’m going to get the money from to pay the rent, I’m worried I don’t eat enough vegetables and won’t grow big and strong, I’m worried that I haven’t got enough gigs booked in and I’m going to have to move back home or up my day job hours to full time, I’m worried that I’ll have to give up on my dreams, I’m worried that me with comedy is like when you watch someone really bad audition for X Factor and you wonder who on earth told them they were any good, and everyone is like ‘oh god why is Lauren even bothering to chase comedy when she’s shit at it, that’s so embarrassing.’ My brain is really kind to me at 1am as you can see.

© BBC

© BBC

5) What would you like to do tomorrow?

Sleep! And watch trashy telly. I’m so tired. I think I’ve been burning the candle at both ends since I moved to London, working a day job, gigging almost every night, finishing my Masters, travelling here, there and everywhere and then over the weekend I just got hit like a bus by this illness which has completely taken it out of me, just in time for to go back up North for a busy week of gigs. Good timing Lauren’s immune system, thanks for that. I don’t feel like I’ve had a full day to myself to do nothing in ages so I’d love nothing more than to just wrap myself in my duvet like a little burrito and watch RuPaul’s Drag Race all day with a mountain of snacks. And have a proper princess bath with loads of Snow Fairy from Lush in it so I can smell like candy floss

6) Which comedians inspire you if you ever feel like you’re beginning to lose your love for comedy?

I really look up to Katherine Ryan. I should have included her in the grateful answer – she took a huge chance on me letting me do her tour support. She saw me do 5 minutes in the Funny Women Final and about 7 months later sent me a message like ‘dude how much material you got, wanna open for me in Middlesbrough and Kendal?’ I’d never done a set that long, or anything in front of that many people and it was the best experience. I must have done OK cause she asked me back for some stuff on her next tour too! I feel like things started going good for me from then, so I probably owe a lot to Katherine. If she’s reading this ‘THANK YOU you are incredible and I have the utmost love and respect for you bae.’ She inspires me a lot, like just look at her career! She’s worked hard, she’s a bloody grafter and she’s reaped the rewards. I remember reading in an interview somewhere she was faced with either going back to work full time, or going for comedy and making sure it worked. It was either be poor and hungry or become successful and I think we know which one happened! I can very much resonate with that at the minute, I am definitely poorer and hungrier than I was when I was a bloody student so I have no choice but to become successful or I will probably become a street urchin.

And Chris Ramsey too. I went to see him about 6 years ago in a tiny theatre in Newcastle, the one where I did my drama lessons at. I’d never seen or heard of him before, I was actually there to see Alun Cochrane (soz Chris!) and he totally blew me away, I came out of the gig telling everyone he was gonna be massive. Should have put money on it! I’ve watched him play bigger and bigger venues and really break through and I think cause I’ve watched his career progress he’s a good person for me to look at for inspiration if I’m feeling a bit shitty about comedy cause I’ve watched him work hard and climb the ranks. He’s someone who always just looks like he’s having so much fun and thoroughly enjoying what he’s doing and I find that really lovely and motivating and other nice words that I can’t think of right now cause I’ve just sneezed 6 times in a row and am worried I am about to combust.

7) Do you have any set goals for your future?

I desperately want to go full time with comedy. I’m finding having a day job harder and harder, both for juggling and managing my time, and also just cause the more progress I make with comedy and the cooler gigs I get to do, the harder it is to go back to serving burgers the following day. Customers at my day job never laugh at my jokes as much as they should and that both frustrates and upsets me. I did a lovely gig in London the other week and it went so well and I felt all lovely and tingly which could have been the response from the crowd or the 3 large glasses of rosé I had but either way I felt like a champ, then I got home and set an alarm for the morning to get up and go to normal person work and I could have cried. Again, could have been the burning desperation of wanting to be a comedian and nothing else, or it could have been the 3 large glasses of rosé. I’d love to do that by next summer, ideally before Edinburgh and I think that’s realistic enough!

FOLLOW LAUREN PATTISON ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST NEWS REGARDING LIVE GIGS

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

BBC Sitcom Season: The Pilots

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Some of comedy’s hottest names have been busy working on new sitcom pilots for BBC iPlayer, airing in September, with the hope of these creative projects later being picked up for a television series.

First up is The Coopers Vs The Rest, a depiction of the turmoils of adopting within a modern day family, with its difficulties involving fitting in with other families, or getting along with other parents. This young family in particular has a very interesting dynamic, with mum Tess (played by Tanya Franks) and Frankie (Erin Kellyman) partaking in consistently sarcastic back and forth that has the warmness of love still beneath it. The dialogue is quick and often unexpected, with each character giving as good as they get, even little eleven-year-old Alisha.

Other pilots include Chris Fewtrell and Simon Crowther’s Home From Home, which follows the Hackett family as they move to their new lodge at Lake View Holiday Park. With Johnny Vegas playing the lead (father, Neil Hackett), supported by Joanna Page as wife, Fiona, this narrative is one of unspoken judgements and stupid faux pas, making for fraught and funny viewing. Next up is Julie Thacker Scully’s latest writing project, Our Ex Wife, which features Robert Webb’s trademark cutting and sarcastic narration throughout. Although a completely different concept to Peep Show, Webb’s idiosyncratic style of self-commentary still really works within the sitcom format, with the tensions between Jack (Webb), fiancé Sara (Melanie Lynskey) and Jack’s ex wife Hillary (Victoria Hamilton) providing relief from the gruesome slasher elements that punctuate the episode.

© BBC

Motherland

Co-written by Helen Linehan, Graham Linehan, Sharon Horgan and Holly Walsh, Motherland is a sitcom that is arguably concerned with the politics of parenthood rather than the essence of childcare itself. Every now and then there is something undeniably funny to be found from shocking or unexpected self-centeredness in human beings, and this feeling is epitomised in this pilot episode about ego-fuelled mothers who, understandably, want to rid themselves of responsibility whenever possible (and this is, of course, hardly ever possible at all).

From the opening scenes it is very much like a disaster movie, with working mother Julia (Anna Maxwell-Martin) frantically rushing to get her young children to school on time, only to realise it is half term anyway and she will have to take the day, and potentially the week, off work. Motherland is an excitingly stressful and busy watch, but Diane Morgan provides important relief from the tension, with her acerbic nonchalance ironically providing much of the drama.

We The Jury

We The Jury

We The Jury is the standout piece for me from this recent batch of sitcom pilots; written by James Acaster, it is reminiscent of his 2015 show Represent, which sees the comic share the ludicrous tales of a recent jury he claims to have taken part in (fictional, undoubtedly). This gradual development of an idea gives the programme a homemade, organic feel, therefore giving an audience the impression of far more depth to the narrative and the characters within it. Acaster has smartly captured his own comic voice within the script, without the need to be physically present (all bar a few unexpected seconds anyway). Visually, We The Jury is bright and snappy, reflecting the excitable energy of the characters, which, somewhat surprisingly, doesn’t grate. There are many interesting characters that Acaster has not had time to establish within a pilot episode alone, from Sophie Thompson who plays Jen 1 to Diane Morgan’s laid back Olivia, proving that this concept could easily develop into a series without any particular risk of stagnancy.

MOTHERLAND HAS ALREADY BEEN COMMISSIONED FOR A SERIES FOR BBC2

September: Comedian Of The Month #32, Lauren Pattison

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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.

Lauren Pattison is a stand up comic and actress from Newcastle who, having began performing at the age of eighteen, is still only in her early twenties yet has made the finals of the Chortle Student award as well as being runner up in 2014’s Funny Women Awards.

With an interest for improv and drama, Pattison is natural in front of an audience in a way that is not overbearing. Perhaps I like her comedy because I feel like her voice represents my own, what with us both being young, female and having a similar founding interest in comedy from a young age; it feels as though we are at similar stages in our lives and one indicator of good comedy is comedy that is relatable but still innovative and surprising.

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Lauren Pattison

In the most endearing of ways, this comedian gives the impression that she doesn’t really give a damn. It feels genuine because although there may be nerves involved with live performance, Pattison seems genuinely comfortable in who she is and what she stands for, which is why her comedy seems to be so authentic. She speaks confidently, as though older and with far more years of experience under her belt than she actually has, and in this way Lauren is able to entice an audience in with ease. Her disastrous tales of relationship and university mishaps are unique, yet still relatable; Pattison is easy to listen to and easy to like.

This comic’s writing is of consistently high quality, no surprise perhaps, as she has worked with Katherine Ryan in recent years, supporting her nationwide tours. Down to earth, humble and open about her ambitions and influences, Lauren Pattison has all the tricks of the trade to prepare her for the nationwide success that I have no doubt will unfold over the coming years.

For more information, follow Lauren Pattison on Twitter.

AUGUST COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

Seven Questions With… Rob Rouse

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© Andy Hollingworth

© Andy Hollingworth

Rob Rouse is a Northern stand up comedian and actor who you may recognise from his recent role as Bottom in Ben Elton’s Shakespearean sitcom Upstart Crow. A gleeful performer onstage, Rouse is a comic who effortlessly exudes a positive energy, drawing audiences in with his cheeky delivery and down-to-earth attitude. Rob also produces a comedy podcast, The Rob Rouse Podcast, and this month he embarks on his latest UK tour.
To learn more about the man behind the comedy, I asked Rob these seven questions…

1) What is it like working on a Ben Elton project in Upstart Crow?

It was really exciting and slightly surreal. At the first recording Ben was talking to the audience saying that literally 30 years earlier he and Harry Enfield had recorded the first Saturday live in that very same studio. I remember watching that show as a kid and it opened up a new part of my brain and it’s a big reason why I’m doing what I’m doing now. It’s like being invited to join you favourite band.

2) Who are you wary of?

Anyone who has an absolutely unshakable certainty about anything really, or indeed reckons they’re any kind of ‘a big deal’. They tend to be a-holes.

3) Who is your favourite celebrity chef?

Delia Smith. I don’t think celebrity chefs nowadays use enough, or for that matter, appreciate mince like Delia did. In fact I’m sure she still does and still cooks with it 4 out of 7 nights of the week… The other 3 she does pork chop with boiled spuds (Tuesday), sausage and beans (Saturday – has it on her knee in front of the telly) and then cheese on toast or just leftovers (Monday). And if Gordon Ramsay came into her kitchen effin and jeffin she’d chin him, lay him out cold, one punch.

4) What did you used to want to be when you grew up?

First job I ever wanted to do, according to my mum, was a bin man. Apparently I said, “Because when I come home, you won’t tell me off for being covered in dirt.” Comforting to know that I always envisaged living at home throughout my adult life.

5) What animal is most misunderstood?

I haven’t got a clue what any of the animals are on about. So I’d have to say all of them… That’s assuming I’ve understood the question.

6) What do you do that you shouldn’t?

It would be great if we were in America, because I could just say, “Sometimes when I’m feeling really vulnerable I’m ashamed to admit I eat carbs” and that would be enough, but the truth is I don’t know how to answer that question because I have absolutely no sense of embarrassment.

7) Do you remember the first time you made someone laugh?

I was a hysterically ugly baby.

8) What is your current mood?

As I type this my dog is barking like a lunatic at some people on bikes outside. Really barking at them. He abhors people on bikes and it’s one of his life’s missions to let them know that. I used to try and make him stop, but have come to appreciate his commitment and my inability to change him, so in answer to your question – Submission.

Film Review: David Brent: Life On The Road

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It would be difficult not to notice that everyone’s favourite brown-suited office worker David Brent is back. Ricky Gervais writes, directs and performs in David Brent: Life On The Road, which follows the sales rep’s debut UK tour (a venture that’s success is surely questionable from the outset).

As Brent embarks on his rockstar escapade, he is accompanied by rapper Dom Johnson (played by Ben Bailey Smith, who is also stand up comedian Doc Brown, known by many for his recents efforts in Greg Davies and Alex Horne’s Taskmaster on Dave). Bailey Smith and Gervais’s partnership came about a few years ago now, with the unveiling of Brent’s single Equality Street for Comic Relief in 2013, and their onscreen relationship is very interesting; it epitomises two undeniably different backgrounds complimenting each other, but also often clashing.

David Brent

David Brent: Life On The Road

There is an abundance of familiar faces scattered throughout, including Man Down‘s Roisin Conaty and Ashley McGuire, and Diane Morgan, aka Philomena Cunk, who plays publicist Briony. Brent’s band also features Andy Burrows, former Razorlight drummer and half of Smith & Burrows, along with Steve Clarke and Michael Clarke. And the songs are good. The lyrics are unanimously awful, skirting on the wrong side of bad taste, and utterly hilarious. It surely isn’t ignorant to assume that the repressed guilty laughter coming from the audience I sat in is reminiscent of the reactions in every cinema auditorium across the country.

Amongst others, Mandeep Dhillon is particularly brilliant as modestly sympathetic receptionist Karen Parashar, alongside humble and ever-forgiving Pauline Gray (Jo Hartley), both of whom are left behind at the Lavichem office as Brent goes in pursuit of his rockstar dreams, although it unfolds that these are not the only friendly faces the disrespected and under-appreciated Brent will encounter. Life On The Road is ultimately a showcase of the genuine goodness and care for the welfare of others that we can hope that every person holds. This portrayal of human nature at its most fundamental allows the tensions of Brent’s disjointedness to soften and shows the sales rep in his most vulnerable, yet endearing light; of course he is defensive and guarded: he has been ridiculed and wounded by many.

David Brent

David Brent: Life On The Road

This attempt to reignite Brent’s failed ‘rock career’ shows the man to be genuinely floundering (he explains his recent breakdown whilst implying that therapy is somewhat below him); he is nostalgic for something that simply never was. And yes, Brent’s plight is a sad and often cringeworthy watch but as is often the case with Gervais’ comedy, the prevailing feeling is bittersweet, with audiences feeling a faint sense of hope that emulates the character’s own relenting enthusiasm. Ricky Gervais has recaptured the essence of The Office in an adventure that was probably not needed but is certainly not unnecessary, and I am grateful that the character of David Brent has been revived, with live dates for next year having already sold out.

DAVID BRENT: LIFE ON THE ROAD IS CURRENTLY IN CINEMAS ACROSS THE UK