Austentatious

February Comedian of the Month #44, Rachel Parris

Leave a Comment

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

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

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

© BBC

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

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

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

COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

April: Comedian Of The Month #39, Cariad Lloyd

2 Comments

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

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

© Richard Davenport

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

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

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

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

MARCH COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH: LOU CONRAN

February: Comedian Of The Month #25, Joseph Morpurgo

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

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