Comedians

Seven Questions With… Matt Winning

Leave a Comment

Matt Winning is a very interesting Scottish stand up comic who incorporates one-liner jokes with surreal concepts and witty observations. He is a co-creator of the Bearpit Podcast Podcast and also regularly performs character-improvisations at shows in London and Glasgow. Matt brings his debut solo hour Mugabe and Me (3D) to the Edinburgh Festival next month.
To find out more about Matt, I asked him these seven questions…

1) Do you like Winning?

I once read about a father who, as an experiment, named his two sons Winner and Loser. Winner ended up being a criminal and a waste of space while Lou (Loser) rose to a prominent position in the New York police force and everybody liked him. Therefore I am destined to be a failure.

Also, I do not like Charlie Sheen. He has ruined my good name. I did in Hot Shots but not anymore.

2) What is the value of one-liner jokes to you?

I like one-liners. I try to expand on the concept of them a bit further and write set-pieces and routines based around their concept. On their own they can sometimes be quite concisely beautiful but most people just leave it there. I drag their premise out until people beg me to stop.

3) How long would it take for you to go crazy if you were alone on a desert island?

Well I am quite good friends with the son of the guy who played Wilson in Castaway. He is half-volleyball, half-Welsh. Don’t see him so much anymore as we fell out over a girl. Anyway, I think I’d be well equipped as I spent the majority of my childhood being friends with sports equipment.

4) What makes time pass more quickly for you?

Daylight savings time.

5) What is your pre-show routine?

I like to tie my shoe-laces as many times as possible. I may start just wearing socks on stage to change it up. I’ll do a couple of stretches and lunges if nobody is watching. Probably go to the toilet about 8 times. And 9 holes of crazy golf.

6) Should humans be the dominant species?

It is a shame that we are. I’m not sure though that it would be a much better world if we weren’t. I guess tigers or something would probably be the dominant species, and while there would be considerably less pollution there would be a lot more deer killings and no courts or doughnuts. I’d personally enjoy living in a world where the olden day horses are the dominant species. You know, the ones that are still in black and white. Zebras. I like those guys.

7) Whose approval do you seek?

My father’s.

MATT WINNING WILL PERFORM HIS SHOW ‘MUGABE AND ME (3D)’ AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FROM 8TH-29TH AUGUST

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

Seven Questions With… Harry Enfield

Leave a Comment
One half of infamous sketch duo Harry and Paul, Harry Enfield has been satirising popular culture for decades. His cheeky charm and uncanny impersonations have made him a firm family favourite, and that doesn’t look set to change any time soon. Enfield, along with fellow comic Paul Whitehouse, recently announced his first ever tour for Autumn 2015, off the back of their successes with Harry and Paul’s Story of the 2s last year, which won multiple awards including two Royal Television Society awards.
To learn more about this comedy legend, I asked him these seven questions…

1) What is your favourite thing about being in a double act?

My favourite part of being in a double act is making Paul Whitehouse laugh. He has the most infectious laugh I have ever heard. Usually I make him laugh about things that are so bad we could never dream of doing them on telly. They are just for us. Sometimes I think we are truly evil people.

harry_and_paul_2380640b

© Harry and Paul

2) Are you a healthy eater?

I am not a particularly healthy eater. I tried to eat lettuce and crap but I don’t really like it. So I have to go to the gym a lot to try and get rid of all the pies and chips and pizzas and chocolates and rats.

3) Are you any good with technology?

Technology is great in terms of computers that correct your spelling and stuff. Email is annoying Twitter is bollocks Facebook is a recipe for time wasting. Ditto Instagram. My kids do all this but I do not have it except the email which I hate.

4) Are you a cool dad?

I am about the least cool dad there is. I am obsessed by things being tidy and as I have three teenage children this is a source of enormous irritation for them. They hate me.

5) How did you begin your comedy career?

I began in comedy when I was at university over 33 years ago. There were not many comedians around then, so I was lucky to get a television break purely by being a comedian. It’s much harder these days as there are loads more, and they are much funnier than we were.

Harry_Enfield_and_Chums

6) If you were an animal, what would you be?

I think I’d be a duck. They’re pretty chilled out, and it’s easy to get away from predators simply by sitting on a lake. As long as the lake doesn’t have some weird Jurassic monster in it with a taste for ducks.

7) Are you religious?

Yes. I believe in Tarvuism.

Look it up on the Internet and you will see it is the one true religion. My daughter is actually a High Priestmunty of Tarvuism. To all Tarvuists out there I say “Hebbo”.

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR HARRY AND PAUL’S ‘LEGENDS!’ TOUR

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

TV Review: Man Down, Series 2

1 Comment

One of the silliest, most ludicrous new sitcoms from the last few years is finally back on our screens; Greg Davies writes and stars in the highly anticipated second series of Man Down.

Davies and his costars Roisin Conaty and Mike Wozniak make a perfect comedy trio, with Dan’s hopeless communication skills, Jo’s fearlessness and general ineptitude and Brian’s constant moaning and criticisms creating a diverse and integrated unit. I don’t think anyone is sure why these three are friends, but the consequential dramas are priceless. Roisin Conaty’s character of Jo in particular is a favourite of mine. She’s brash, idiotic and absolutely hilarious; always plotting schemes which often involve her pursuit to get a decent job, or any job for that matter, which she is hopeless at. Man Down is a glorious combination of a group of painfully ordinary people, in their truest sense, with the strangest of circumstances.

Young actors Madeleine Harris (Paddington) and Alfie Davis are fantastic in their roles as ‘know-it-all’ and ‘angry kid’ respectively, and are consistently given a platform by Greg Davies to be the stars of the scene, which shows considerate comedy writing and reflects Davies’ compassionate character. The presence of the kids allows Greg’s childish side to come to the forefront, therefore accentuating the brilliant ridiculousness of each episode’s plot, and ridiculousness is always guaranteed with this manic comedy presence.

A new character has also joined the group: Dan’s over-involved Aunt Nesta (Stephanie Cole). This new arrival seems to provide company for Dan’s widowed mother (Gwyneth Powell) but that doesn’t mean she feels the need to stop doing his washing for him, or generally interfering in every aspect of his life. The onscreen relationship between Daniel and his mum is hilarious, partly due to the height difference, but also the fact that Davies often refers to her as “old woman”.

Many worried that the death of comedy royalty Rik Mayall, who played Dan’s father in series one, in June last year would signal the demise of Man Down, because perhaps no ‘replacement’ as such for Rik could ever be sufficient. Filming was set to begin in August and it looked unclear to viewers where the programme was set to go from here. But with a writing crew and cast as skilled as this, it soon became clear that not only was Man Down still going to continue, but the spirit of Rik Mayall was to live on in the show also. Greg Davies’ comedy, much like Mayall’s, is known for being silly and widely accessible, so it is impossible not to be reminded of Rik while seeing Greg mincing up and down the exam hall, playing a game of ‘Snorkel Parka’ or buying Flumps in a supermarket.

Dan may be absolutely hopeless, but I’d have loved for Greg Davies to be my teacher, even if it was just for the chance to go bike riding down dangerously steep hills rather than doing any work.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH ROISIN CONATY

June: Comedian Of The Month #17, Ellie Taylor

3 Comments
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.

The latest person I have chosen as my Comedian of the Month is the multi-talented Ellie Taylor, who recently performed stand up on The John Bishop Show as well as hosting two series of BBC3’s Snog Marry Avoid in the past. Having previously worked as a model, as well as in marketing and PR and presenting, this comic certainly has a diverse list of past experiences to draw material from.

With a natural ability to make friends with pretty much any audience, Ellie is an immediately likeable performer and her natural charm exudes in her stand up. She only began her stand up comedy career in 2010 and has already managed to build an impressive list of television credits as well as making it to the final of Funny Women in 2011. Even watching snippets of her interview on Sunday Brunch is enough to be assured that Ellie is a natural performer; she admits it herself, as though its a bad thing.

ellie-taylor-2-lst147391-2

She also seems to be incredibly wise for her young years, with an understanding of why she’s gone down the career path she has on top of having a general integrity as a performer: the Ellie Taylor that audiences see seems very much to be the same Ellie Taylor you might see if you bumped into her at the supermarket. Not only this, but it also appears that she just gets what makes a comedian too: “I wanted to feel some value in my life. How can I get value? Ah, showing off!”.

Ellie Taylor is a charismatic, bright and breezy breath of fresh air, and this won’t be the first or last time you’ll hear her name on the comedy scene.

For more information, visit Ellie Taylor’s website and follow her on Twitter.

MAY COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

Seven Questions With… Joel Dommett

Leave a Comment
Stand up comic and Impractical Joker Joel Dommett is returning to the Edinburgh Festival this year with a new hour of comedy in his show Conquer. Having appeared on Sweat The Small Stuff and Russell Howard’s Good News in recent times as well as working as a presenter for MTV and team captain on Reality Bites, Joel is now an instantly recognisable face on the entertainment circuit.
I asked Joel these seven questions to learn more…

1) Who would make you most nervous if they were in your audience at a gig?

Good comedians in my audience frighten me. Last year at Altitude comedy festival in the Alps I did a gala gig and on the balcony watching with kind judging eyes were Tommy Tiernan, Al Murray, John Bishop, Daniel Sloss and lots of other sweet laughter creators. I was petrified until the moment I heard Al’s excellently distinguishable chuckle, then I relaxed into it and did utterly above average. 

2) Are you easily embarrassed?

I used to be but comedy tends to squeeze your shame into a tiny corner of your brain and you only get it out on very rare occasions. 

© Idil Sukan

© Idil Sukan

3) Is there a celebrity that you like, yet everyone else seems to hate?

Loads. I like people, films and music that everyone hates. One Direction covers all those bases. 

4) What is your favourite type of weather?

Probably sunny times. Unless I happen to be in a paddling pool on top of a hill, in that case it’s thunder and lightening. Exhilarating.

5) Did you enjoy school?

Yes. For the most part. Once a guy threatened me and said that tomorrow he was going to fight me. I went home, made a 24 minute video of me doing nunchucks in my garden, put it on VHS then sent it through his letter box. On the front in black marker pen it said “this is what I’m capable of”. It didn’t work. 

6) Which sitcom (old or new) would you most like to star in?

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia… It’s the bestest. 

7) What would you never recommend?

Spending hours making a video of you doing a dance based weapon martial art in your garden and sending it to a bully. The bullying will only increase.

JOEL DOMMETT BRINGS HIS SHOW ‘CONQUER’ TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL THIS AUGUST

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

Seven Questions With… Aisling Bea

2 Comments
Aisling Bea is a popular face on the comedy scene these days, with her most notable recent television appearances including her role in The Delivery Man and performing stand up at last month’s Channel Four Comedy Gala. With gorgeous Irish charm and a sharp wit, Aisling is fast becoming one of one of the nation’s (and my own) most loved comics, both on television and the live comedy circuit.
I asked Aisling these seven questions to find out more about her…
Lisa Thompson

© Lisa Thompson

1) What stops you from being bored?

Having a nap in the middle of the day and not having to hang out with myself. I find being with myself an utter bore sometimes. Naps are one of the purest joys I know. 

2) Are comedians cool?

Only the ones who don’t think about being cool. Being cool is like not thinking, once you start thinking about not thinking, you are not not thinking. (Cool answer by me there).

3) Do you have any phobias? 

Pigeons, or “sky rats” as I call them and also rats, or “land pigeons” as I call them. They serve no purpose but sadness and destruction and they are not afraid of us and I’m convinced I will die owing to an ambush from a gang of pigeon-rats. 

4) What is your favourite Irish phrase?

“Well, you’re doing well for yourself, aren’t you?” (Said with the implication of shock).

5) Is there a comedian you wish you were more like?

Yes, Sara Pascoe. Watching her do stand up makes me feel, as an audience member, enlightened and full of laughter, but as a comic, wishing that I had what she had and could say what she says in the way that she says it. She is so clever and such a good writer and is thoroughly respected by all and sundry in the comedy world. 

6) Are you a pleasure to be around?

I am an utter delight when I’ve had a few drinks, but when I’m sober people wonder if I’m drunk or what exactly is happening here. 

7) Do you think university is important?

I think education is and staying in it for as long as possible (well unless you are avoiding growing up by doing embroidery courses that your parents pay for until you’re 43). But if you can’t afford it, I would say try to do a half and half, do a course that you love and a job you don’t care about so you can keep your options open. Work experience will always stand to you rather than just keeping your nose in books for twenty years.

I studied French and Philosophy for four years and spent most of that time in the drama society acting and writing and not going to university much. What I learned during that time stands to me still, as do the relationships and friendships I made. I think getting out and going and seeing the world and meeting people is very important and then you can find new bits of yourself from new types of people who make you feel and become things you didn’t know.

So give yourself a chance to learn and work out who you are during that time. And if you get the chance later to go back and learn something and didn’t get it the first time round, do. There is always time to give something a go. I started stand up much later than some of my peers and some of my friends have had whole other careers before giving it a go. Not everyone knows what or who they want to be at 18, give yourself time to find it. And also stay away from drugs and all fizzy canned drinks.

AISLING BEA BRINGS HER LATEST SHOW ‘PLAN BEA’ TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL IN AUGUST

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

Edinburgh Preview: Paul Kerensa – Back To The Futon Part II

Leave a Comment

In theming his show around the cult film Back To The Future and its two sequels, it was clear from the outset that Paul Kerensa’s performance at the MAC in Birmingham was going to be an interesting experience, particularly as someone with a limited recollection of the trilogy other than the obvious standout features (aka time travel and hoverboards).

This comedian has an openness which borders on vulnerability on stage, meaning that he appears to be very approachable and is immediately liked by his audiences. Kerensa used his interpersonal skills to ensure that this somewhat niche topic did not alienate any member of the audience. Over the hour, he managed to make the subject matter accessible by all, using Marty McFly’s adventures as a springboard for more relatable material.

Paul Kerensa

There was an unavoidable sense of nostalgia throughout the proceedings, with Paul clearly differentiating between his experiences at the Edinburgh Festival in 2006 performing Back To The Futon (part one) and where he finds himself now, having since married and had two children. The show itself is ambitious as Kerensa experiments with technology to create a homemade time machine, which seemed to still be in relatively early stages of production (understandable, of course, when you consider the difficulties of combining pre-recorded video with live stand up comedy).

The show was imperfect, but it was a preview after all and the flaws in the production helped maintain the friendly atmosphere that James Acaster had established an hour earlier. I have no doubt that the finished product will delight Back To The Future fans and general comedy enthusiasts in equal measures.

Paul Kerensa is currently performing preview shows across the UK and will be taking the completed show to Edinburgh in August.

MORE EDINBURGH PREVIEWS

Seven Questions With… Carl Donnelly

Leave a Comment

Stand up comedian Carl Donnelly is rapidly rising in popularity on the British comedy scene with appearances on Mock The Week and Russell Howard’s Good News. As well as this, Carl is also involved in podcasting with fellow comic Chris Martin, which has lead to the duo becoming regular Fubar Radio presenters. Carl Donnelly brings his new show Jive Ass Honky to this year’s Edinburgh Festival.
To find out more, I asked Carl these seven questions…

1) Do you enjoy social media?

I tend to be spending less and less time on social media as am losing patience with people’s behaviour and general obsession with it. I tend to enjoy Twitter during major sporting or cultural events. You can be sitting at home on your own watching the TV but still be part of a group chat about whatever it is that you’re watching. The flip side is that 99% of the time, social media is just a cavalcade of ill thought out opinions stated as facts. Humans naturally have the capacity to be twats but social media gives us a medium to really let that side of us run free.  

2) What character trait do you most envy in others?

Objectivity. It’s rare you meet someone who genuinely can step outside of them-self before forming an opinion. The above answer about social media refers to the 99% of people who can’t do just that. Online is where you see the lack of this trait the most. Everyone is in such a rush to say their piece that they haven’t had enough time to form an informed opinion so what you get is a load of shit they’re spouting in the heat of the moment.  I’m getting better at being more mindful in my opinions but still have the odd blowout where I get my blinkers on and just lose it. I had an argument with a mate in a pub a few months back regarding Ched Evans (the ex-footballer now charged rapist) where I almost got kicked out of the pub because I was shouting about rape apologists. 

3) You’ve performed stand-up on a plane? How did you find it?

It would make the top five list of ‘The most nervous I’ve ever been’. I get really nervous if I do a gig where the conditions are abnormal. In a comedy club or theatre, its set up for comedy so I know what I’m getting into but on the plane, the passengers didn’t know there was going to be comedy until they were boarding and were informed. Then I basically got introduced by the cabin crew about half way through the flight and had to do my set at the front of the plane using the weird phone that they make announcements through. Everything was set up for it to be terrible but weirdly, they got excited that they were part of such a strange experience so we ended up having loads of fun. It’s lucky as if I would have had a bad gig and then had to just sit back down among them, I would probably have stabbed myself to death with a plastic fork.

4) Can you draw?

Not that well anymore. I used to do a lot of drawing/painting/sculpture during my school and college days. I was a very strange teenager in that I was a bit of a wide boy who smoked, drank and shoplifted but also had this weird love of contemporary art. I would bunk off school to hang out at the Tate (this was pre Tate Modern which is now one of my favourite hangouts). I used to go to life drawing classes as well during my late teens so was quite handy at drawing nudes but was the only person in the class who wasn’t a pensioner so just looked like a creep!

5) If you could interview a comedy hero, who would it be?

I think Norm MacDonald would be amazing to interview. He’s one of my all-time favourite comedians but he’s also so funny when he appears on chat shows (and on his podcast which I highly recommend) that I have every confidence that he’d live up to my expectation. His live album ‘Me Doing Stand-Up’ is probably my favourite comedy album.

6) Why are you a vegan?

I got to a point about three years ago where the guilt of eating and wearing animal products was no longer outweighed by the ease of doing so. I made the decision and just tapped out and have felt a million times better mentally and physically since. I was living with a constant feeling of disappointment in myself for continuing to do something I felt was wrong. I was basically making myself feel like shit through sheer laziness. I now feel good and can sit back and enjoy watching carnivores get really annoyed about veganism. 

7) Will you ever get bored of stand up?

I’d like to think I won’t but you never know. Some of my favourite comedians have taken a break at some point despite still churning out great new stuff so it’s obviously not an uncommon thing to happen. I love the process of writing a new show and previewing it etc trying to get it perfect so that cycle keeps me excited and interested. Who knows what will happen if I ever feel like I’ve run out of things to say. Maybe I’ll have to go and get a proper job!

CARL DONNELLY WILL BE PERFORMING HIS NEW SHOW ‘JIVE ASS HONKY’ AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FROM 5TH-30TH AUGUST

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

Edinburgh Preview: James Acaster – Represent

1 Comment

James AcasterJames Acaster is quite undoubtedly one of the strangest stand up comedians currently working on the circuit in a way that truly delights any audience who is accustomed to seeing a more regular stand up style. Arriving on stage at the MAC in Birmingham to the sound of To Be a Pilgrim and remaining silent for an uncomfortably long period time, Acaster immediately proved his commanding presence.

What is most remarkable about this comic is his ability to craft a (presumably) entirely fictional story from a few disparate elements. He conceals his observations in make-believe anecdotes, such as eating fortune cookies in the cinema, which gave the show an otherworldly feel despite the events and people within the stories being regular, everyday and (predominantly) earth-based. The personalities in the stories are varied and detailed, and even the specific elements of “celebrity gossip” James includes are unusual to say the least.

He’s a very physical performer, often meaning that he doesn’t always need words at all, his gestures and facial expressions are enough to force laughter from everyone. The constant, erratic movements gave the show an unpredictable feel and James’ intentional jitteriness was reflected in his material as well; he was able to throw in spontaneous lines throughout so much so that some of the funniest moments were completely impulsive ones.

It is easy to see how well-rounded and effective this show will be when it reaches a stage nearer completion, but the amount of love in the room for James was clear and his preview was better than some completed shows I’ve seen in the past. The levels of self-depreciation were somewhat disappointing seeing as James is clearly such a capable performer, but this provided humour nonetheless.  And as an audience, of course, it was nice to be commended for being “useful”.

James Acaster is currently performing preview shows of Represent across the UK and will be taking the completed show to Edinburgh in August.

MORE EDINBURGH PREVIEWS

Seven Questions With… Felicity Ward

Leave a Comment
With recent appearances on Russell Howard’s Good News and Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, Australian comedian Felicity Ward has made quite a name for herself in the UK. She recently presented a documentary called Felicity’s Mental Mission, which explored the stigmas surrounding mental health, and will be performing her latest show What If There Is No Toilet? at this year’s Edinburgh Festival,  where she discusses her experiences with IBS and anxiety.
I asked Felicity these seven questions…

1) What are the biggest difficulties with being an Australian comic when gigging in the UK?

Trying to convince British audiences that I have something to say that might interest them. I feel a lot of them sit there when I walk on thinking, “What could you possibly have to say that will make me laugh. After all, we made you.” Occasionally I get to buck that trend.

2) Are sharks just misunderstood?

That’s a great question and I’m glad you brought that up. In short. Yes. In Long: More people die from choking than sharks, but you don’t see people going on a throat cull do you? I think Jaws did a lot of damage to the “brand”. If Free Willy was a shark instead of a whale, we might have a new generation of shark conservationists. And a lot better shark merch.

3) Do you think that worrying is ever useful?

It’s really good if your goal is to have wrinkles and stomach ulcers. Then you’ve really nailed it. Also some decisions take time to get right: you can’t just waltz up to a buffet and put any old shit on your plate. You need to deliberate. Situation: you’re looking at some buffet prawns, but you realise you’re in a landlocked area. Should you worry about food poisoning? Yes. Should you worry about missing out on discount seafood? Yes. You see? Lot to worry about. It can be very useful.

4) What personality traits make a comedian?

Poverty. Desperation. Some poor parenting seems to help. That’s really it.

5) Do you listen to movie soundtracks?

I bloody love a compilation and soundtracks are the ultimate. Footloose and Blues Brothers soundtracks were the first double sided (recorded illegally from a friend) cassette tape I ever owned. Yes, cassette. Back in the Jurassic period. Big Chill. Amazing soundtrack. Pulp Fiction. Obviously. But I don’t really do musicals.

6) What inspires you?

I’m very inspired by sleep. Sleep, cups of tea, staring out the window, buying individual tracks off a “best of” album knowing full well that Nelly never had 18 hits.

7) What would you tell your younger self?

Stay weird: It’ll give you the basis for a lot of material in later years. Oh, also, you grow into your nose and that undercut is a terrible idea.

FELICITY WARD WILL BE PERFORMING HER LATEST SHOW AT THE PLEASANCE COURTYARD THROUGHOUT AUGUST.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…