British Comedy

Seven Questions With… Ray Peacock

1 Comment
One half of stand up and podcasting duo, Peacock & Gamble, Ray Peacock is mischievous, multi-layered and an expert storyteller. He has appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News and worked as a warm up for shows including Not Going Out and The IT Crowd. He has also recently become one of the favourite presenters of Fubar Radio, regularly working with comedians Ed Gamble and Angela Barnes. Ray will be performing his latest solo stand up show Here Comes Trouble to the Soho Theatre from the 2nd-4th April.
I asked Ray these seven questions to learn a little more about him…

1) Is there too much stuff in the world?

There’s too much stuff in my house, let alone the world. I go a bit obsessive about stuff from time to time and collect things to the point of bursting. The most cathartic thing I’ve ever done was a massive eBay sale in January just gone where I got rid of sooooo much stuff. I basically made a list of stuff in my house that I could remember without seeing it and anything that didn’t make the list went on eBay- it was amazing. I’ve also gotten into a mood where anything that makes me sad is gone- so there were a fair few items purged that way too. I’d strongly advise everyone to do it- hugely freeing. Oh and I learned you can’t put animals on eBay- did you know that? Or people. 

2) What’s the best thing about being in a double act?

I don’t even know if I am any more, I’ve not seen Ed since October! I think we both found at the Fringe last year that we felt a bit lost initially after sharing the Edinburgh stresses for three years on the bounce. The first night we went and had a coffee together and then parted to go to our respective shows- that was heart-breaking- just walking slowly in different directions. We both looked back. So that, I guess, just the company of it. Some of our best shows were when we were looking at each other on stage and smirking when audiences weren’t going for it. When you’re on your own there’s nobody to smirk at when the nights are a struggle. So, yeah, the company. And the sex natch.

Ray Peacock3) Who would you most like to punch?

I get less and less inclined to punch people as I get older. I’m actually a bit more sinister than that, and at any given time I am plotting exhaustive revenge plans on plenty of folk who have crossed me. The last person I would have considered smacking was Jon Gaunt when he came onto Fubar and started attempting to chuck his weight around, but I managed to keep my cool for most of that as he got himself into a tizzie. He was demanding we were sacked (me and Ed) and all this nonsense, but it was a weird one because if he had done even a second of research on who he had picked a fight with then he would have seen that it might be a little more challenging than he anticipated. It was like he had gone into a boxing title match and not even watched a video of who he was up against. Which is always risky as you may get caught with a lethal uppercut and end up on your arse. Which is metaphorically what happened, and also a nice answer given your original question.

4) Do you worry too much?

Not any more, over the last couple of years I’ve got a proper perspective on who and what is actually important to me and it turns out that I’d had all my loyalties in the wrong places- personally and professionally- so I was always worried about how certain situations might impact on other people. When this wasn’t repaid, I got myself to a point where I will literally shrug off anything nowadays, inevitability remains inevitable whether you worry or not. I am being hilarious in this interview don’t you think? I’d definitely go and see my show…

5) What’s your opinion on reality TV?

I was literally typing that I don’t watch it and then I realised that I watch The Undateables and I guess that’s reality TV right? I like that one. I won’t watch any of the Simon Cowell ones, or anything that is a competition. I find those ones very morally ambiguous and I lay the blame for increasingly rude and appallingly behaved live audiences firmly at Cowell’s feet. He has single-handedly authorised disrespectful and prickish audience behaviour to a point of Armageddon and come the revolution he should be first against the wall.

6) What makes comedy exciting for you?

In the last twelve months I’ve had an average running time on my tour show of 2hrs 15 mins (with an interval) – all just me. That’s the most exciting thing in the world to me just now, the idea that I am touring a show where I easily fill the whole thing for that length of time – it would have been unthinkable not long back, and it feels like such a huge achievement. I can remember panicking about filling an hour, and nowadays I panic about getting it down to an hour. At the Soho theatre run I am doing the original fringe show which is 60 mins and I honestly don’t know how that’s going to be possible. Maybe some of that worry is coming back now. No banter- no matter what. I don’t care what your job is.

7) Did you see it?

No, I was busy misbehaving somewhere else. I almost certainly have the better story to tell.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS FOR RAY PEACOCK’S SOHO THEATRE RUN

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

Seven Questions With… Rod Woodward

Leave a Comment
Rod WoodwardRod Woodward is a Welsh stand up comedian with a particular interest in sport, which adds an interesting and ‘niche’ dimension to some of his material. He has supported the likes of Paddy McGuinness and Russell Brand as well having performed at the ITV1 Royal Variety Performance in 2014. Rod will be at performing his latest show The Journey Starts Here at various venues across the UK during May and June 2015.
To learn more about Rod, I asked him these seven questions…

1) Should humans be trying to live longer?

That really depends on what kind of human we’re talking about. Good people should be brightening the world for as long as possible. Badduns should really have the decency to check out at their earliest convenience. In the words of the great Ken Dodd, “I hope to live long enough to see the end of the DFS sale!”

2) Can you knit?

No. But I admire those who can. I read that the world’s longest scarf was knitted in my hometown of Cardiff and measures nearly 34 miles long. How many times would you have to wrap that around your neck?!  By the time you got it on, the winter would be over. I wonder how long the previous record holding scarf was. I have visions of some old woman calling the Guinness Book of Records and saying, “I’ve just knitted what I think could be a record breaking scarf. How long is it? Well it’s from here to Swansea!

3) Why is sport important to you?

My Dad was a sports writer before he retired so I was brought up on sport. He covered soccer and boxing. In boxing, I can never understand why they hug after the fight. Maybe if they did the hug at the start they wouldn’t feel so obliged to try and kill each other. That’s why they get in the ring in their dressing gowns- it’s cause they know they’re going to hospital after the fight. If you look in those kitbags, they’ve got Lucozade and grapes in there. My favourite sport to play is golf thanks to the handicap system where you can be rubbish and still win. Years ago they worried that the term ‘handicap’ was offensive to people with disabilities but they weren’t bothered. They said, “Handicap?! I’m not the one wasting five hours in the pouring rain dressed like a blind pimp!”

4) Do you watch panel shows?

I have stopped watching them as they give me flashbacks to a pilot for a sporting/comedy panel show I was involved with when I had to go head to head with Frank Lampard in a keep-up competition. I was allowed to use a football and Frank beat me… with a pickled onion!!!  I am still in therapy over it.

5) Would you say you’re a brave person?

You never know how you will react to a proper fright until you get one. The other day my wife told me she was staying at her friend’s house overnight but changed her mind and decided to go home. When I got back from a gig very late, the house was in darkness and I assumed my wife was out like she’d originally told me. Little did I know she was hiding inside the darkness. She waited for me to turn on the lights, make myself some tea and toast, switch on the TV and start flicking through the channels. Then she jumped out from behind the sofa and shouted “BOO!”. Embarrassingly, my spontaneous reaction was to throw the tray in the air and scream “GET AWAY!” I don’t know what effect I thought the ‘GET AWAY’ would have. As if an actual intruder would say, “No, fair play you are right… I shouldn’t be in here really.”

6) Which person on the planet scares you the most?

My wife (see previous answer. Incidents like that one are becoming a regular occurrence which makes me think she must have me insured to the back teeth). Last night she woke me up with a start and told me there was a noise downstairs and that I should go and investigate and flick the kettle on while I was downstairs. “Arm yourself,” she said handing me a backscratcher with a plastic hand on the end. “Great! If there is someone in the house let’s hope he’s an itchy burglar!”

7) Which comedian working today is the most admirable for you?

I am a huge fan of Jerry Seinfeld and was lucky enough to see him live at the O2 arena.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ROD WOODWARD’S 2015 UK TOUR

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

TV Review: Alan Davies As Yet Untitled, Series 2

Leave a Comment

Last July, a trial-run series of a new chat show hosted by Alan Davies was broadcast on Dave, and frankly, I was over the moon. The programme aims to recreate the atmosphere of a green room at a comedy gig, inviting four guests for a chat with a minimal agenda. The format is truly up and running now and a full series was broadcast, starting in January.

With the series spanning ten episodes, and four guests each week, As Yet Untitled presents a large number of guests, comedians in particular, including some that we haven’t heard from in a while. The legendary Ricky Tomlinson (Royle Family) and writer Grace Dent both feature, as well as some true comedy greats including Sarah Millican, Ross Noble, Julian Clary and David Baddiel.

© Dave

As Yet Untitled also promotes a new ‘wave’ of comedians that appear to be taking over the British comedy scene, including Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes, Elis James, James Acaster, Roisin Conaty and Tom Wrigglesworth. As this show grows it would be nice to see it gather more and more attention for the younger generation of comedians coming through which would help them get a solid grounding earlier on and enable audiences access to some incredible talent. It also features fantastic comedy talent from different parts of the world, some possibly making their debut on British television, including Aussie stand up Felicity Ward and Catastrophe‘s Rob Delaney.

The chat is often awkward and stunted in places, possibly due to editing, but this can be expected when a group of people who don’t necessarily know each other are asked to entertain themselves and a live audience; it can’t ever appear one hundred percent natural. In my opinion, this honesty add to the authenticity of the programme and also enables us to see another side to some comics that may have seemed (understandably) distant. Jimmy Carr especially appeared to settle into the informal atmosphere as the first episode wore on, showing a more natural side to him that his job, as panel show host in particular, hasn’t often allowed in the past.

© Dave

© Dave

We also get to see a kind and sensitive side to Alan Davies that isn’t necessarily catered for in other panel shows purely due to the format. He shows himself to be very inclusive and supportive of all the guests, though it is hard to judge that when watching the televised cut, and is skilled at nurturing the conversation which seems to help all the guests relax into the strange format. The discussion is more structured this series, with each guest starting with a strange fact about themselves, or a suggestion of something obscure that once happened to them, and then taking their turn to explain in more detail. The transitions are occasionally disjointed, but often the guests are relaxed enough to continue the conversational feel despite a swift subject change.

I think we have a programme here that is very much a niche type of entertainment programme, but I hope its audience continues to grow as it truly is a very enjoyable and interesting watch.

CATCH UP WITH ALAN DAVIES: AS YET UNTITLED ON DAVE ON DEMAND OR ON YOUTUBE

Seven Questions With… Roisin Conaty

4 Comments
Roisin Conaty is a stand up comedian, actress and writer. With her optimistic outlook and often silly sense of humour, Roisin is one of those comics that makes you feel happier, which is so much more than just making you laugh. She plays the hilarious layabout, Jo, in the fantastic sitcom Man Down, which will return this year (starring Greg Davies and the late Rik Mayall) and also wrote and starred in her own pilot GameFace. As well as this, Roisin is currently filming for a new comedy series, Taskmaster, which will be fronted by Greg Davies and Alex Horne.
To learn more about Roisin, I asked her these seven questions…

1) What makes you laugh?

Everything. Eventually. Life is pretty ridiculous really, I mean, we are spinning in a ball in space. Any part of it slowed down, held up and examined is equally beautiful, tedious, painful and funny.

2) How good are your timekeeping skills?

Ooof awful. It honestly feels like minutes sneak away from me, out of my pockets, under the door. They leave in groups of 10, silently, hiding my phone/shoe/keys on their way. The bastards. Then sometimes they have the audacity to show up when they are not needed, all pissed and slow, like when I am waiting for a night bus or dominoes to open.

3) What one thing could you not live without?

The brilliant work of other women who ensure my safety, my rights, my voice. Women who have worked and continue to work tirelessly for progress and equality. Women who put themselves above the parapet, so they are seen and heard. The brilliantly funny and supportive women in stand up comedy who I need for inspiration. They are my sisters in arms. Basically women… oh yeah and men for kissing and sexing and stuff.

Roisin Conaty4) Do people talk too much?

No, sharing our stories & communicating with each other is how we feel connected. I think ultimately that’s all humans want, to feel connected to someone or something. It’s the motivation behind everything. Good and bad. Small talk is something I find hard, I think a lot of comics do. It has all the hallmarks of connection but you feel drained and deflated at the end. A really honest, intimate conversation about your fears, ideas, hopes and experiences with a mate can be better than a holiday in my experience.

Also, women speak on average 10,000 more words a day than men and I think that must be one of the reasons why we are not as violent… it’s a shame a lot of those 10,000 words are just us repeating ourselves, as men pretend they didn’t hear our great ideas the first time.

5) Would you eat insects for money?

No… well, how much money?… No… well, unless there were condiments involved. Boy, do I love a condiment. I have the best condiment selection I have ever seen.

6) What irritates you most?

Pomposity & shit pillows. Wait, that sounds like the title of a rubbish indie film, I mean separately. Pomposity in people and shit pillows wherever I seem to stay… Don’t get me started on shit pillows.

7) If you stopped working in comedy, what would you do next?

Country and western singer. DONE.

WATCH ROISIN’S COMEDY PILOT: GAMEFACE ON 4OD

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

TV Review: Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe, Series 3

Leave a Comment

Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe may just be the smoothest comedy programme on television. It is also one of the bleakest satirical programmes I have ever seen, but I am well and truly addicted.

Here we have a programme that makes me hate so many aspects of the world, but then laugh at them and regain control. Charlie Brooker expertly exposes everything that is wrong with humanity but also shows that we’re not the only ones who are disheartened by it all. Stick with it, and you can find the positive message.

With comment on topical media-related things as well as politics, this programme doesn’t spare many people from the mockery. Jake Yapp regularly relays various programmes like The One Show and The Voice in a matter of seconds, flawlessly encapsulating their most irritating elements and imitating an array of presenters and celebrities in the process. Brooker also scrutinises over phenomena like Eastenders, Broadchurch and Fifty Shades of Grey, aided by comments from Philomena Cunk and Barry Shitpeas.

A common downfall that I have found with shows like Weekly Wipe is the quality and originality of the sketches used to break up the larger proportion of denser comedy. However, this programme is truly unique in its creation of innovative and hilarious weekly sketches, from the wonderful Philomena Cunk and her “Moments of Wonder”, to the arrival of Morgana Robinson. Robinson (House of Fools) proved a fantastic addition to the Weekly Wipe team with a scarily faultless YouTuber-parody and humorous impersonations of Russell Brand. Yet again, the great minds behind this show have proven such specific observational skills as well as, in Morgana’s case, a talent for impressions (which was already common knowledge for those who watched Very Important People, I’m sure).

Brooker is undeniably a very intelligent man and has a mysterious ability to articulate what millions of us seem to be feeling, even if we hadn’t realise it yet. Weekly Wipe is a perfect example of a programme taking control over political matters that we can’t seem to change in a valiant attempt to regain power, by laughing at it. And there are many laughs indeed.

SERIES THREE OF CHARLIE BROOKER’S WEEKLY WIPE IS AVAILABLE ON BBC IPLAYER

TV Review: The Last Leg, Series 6

Leave a Comment

The Last Leg is the kind of popular satirical television show that our world really needs to watch because it enables all of us to understand and appreciate major social and political events a little better. The show is presented by Australian comic Adam Hills, with help from his co-hosts: stand up comedian Josh Widdicombe and journalist and presenter Alex Brooker.

It talks about increasingly pressing topics, such as misogyny, discrimination, terrorism and war but to an ever-growing Channel 4 audience, meaning people are continuing to talk about these massive issues that affect us all. If anyone needed proof that The Last Leg is influential in this sense, you would only need to check the hashtags trending worldwide on Twitter while the show is live on air, such as #page3no which trended on Friday 23rd January this year.

The Last Leg enables audiences who are disillusioned with world politics and our own government here in Britain to take control over the global situation by simply making fun of it. A fantastic addition to the show is the awarding of “Dick of the Year,” where past victors have been Vladimir Putin and Nigel Farage. As well as all this, the comedians even managed to convince Nick Clegg to make an appearance and the fantastic results are below.

Another topic made open for discussion is that of disability in today’s society. With host Adam Hills having only one foot due to a birth defect and Alex Brooker being born with hand and arm defects as well as having to have his leg amputated when he was a baby, not only does this programme show us disability, but it allows us to laugh about it, to laugh with Adam, Alex and Josh and not feel bad about the fact we might be talking about something ‘taboo’.

A great sense of freedom is gained from watching The Last Leg as politics is opened up to the wider public in a way that, for once, isn’t entirely depressing. I hope it continues to work its stupid magic for years to come.

CATCH UP WITH SERIES SIX OF THE LAST LEG ON 4OD

Seven Questions With… Rob Auton

2 Comments
Rob Auton

Photo: Julian Ward

Rob Auton is truly one of a kind. He performs comedy, writes poetry, and is even an incredible painter. He once wrote an entire show based around the colour yellow which shows just how different his approach to the performing arts is. Auton plays with metaphorical concepts as though they are physical things, which opens up a whole new realm of incredibly thoughtful comedy. If comedy is to be considered an art form, Rob Auton is truly one of its leading young artists.
I asked Rob these seven questions to learn a little more about him…

1) When did you first encounter comedy?

I can’t remember. I guess it was when I was little I must have laughed at something. It was probably something such as a dog existing. Or the sun. Stuff like that was hilarious to me. Still is really. Comedy has to be something you find funny doesn’t it? I remember when I was about 5 or 6  I had a bike that was black and it was called a Raleigh Wildcat. It had a sound effects box on the front. In the village where I grew up there always used to be this old man called Bill who stood at his gate, when I went down the street pressing the sound effects he would shout “The Daleks are coming.” It isn’t that funny now but when I was a child I would nearly fall off my bike from laughing at him because I really believed he thought I was a Dalek.

2) Where in the world would you never go?

Paintballing in the snow near Newcastle. I went paintballing in the snow near Newcastle once and I remember looking down at my hand and it was dripping blood onto the snow. Someone had shot me from close range and the paintball had cut my hand somehow.  The paint from the paintball was mixing with the blood so it was like some sort of crap Damien Hirst spin painting that hadn’t been spun yet.  I would never go there again.  I always give the enthusiastic guys at the camouflage netted tables in shopping centres a wide birth when I see them.

3) Do you have any weird talents?

I’m quite good at making scrambled eggs in a pan in a kitchen and chicken drumsticks outside on the barbecue. What came first the scrambled eggs in a pan in a kitchen or the chicken drumsticks outside on the barbecue? I’ll start with the scrambled eggs. I don’t want to tell people how to suck scrambled eggs but the key for me is loads of butter in a pan, really low heat, put the eggs in and stir it for ages (3-4 days) put in loads of salt and pepper and take it off the heat before it is cooked as it keeps cooking on its own. With regard to chicken drummers on the barbecue the key is to get loads of that division one pepper powder. What is that stuff? The stuff that has been ground down into dust and put that on until you’ve got enough on and then put more on and then put salt on in the same way. Basically so the chicken drummer looks like a chicken drummer that you’ve dropped on a beach and the beach is made from salt and pepper. Quite a chicken themed answer that I’m afraid, sorry to the none chicken eaters. You can use the same techniques with any food really.

4) Something you wish you believe in?

Magic tricks. I would love it if a person could be sawn in half and then put back together and be perfectly fine.

5) What is the best item in a sweet shop?

The chewy bits in the middle of Cola Cubes.

6) Does being a comedian feel strange to you?

I don’t know what I am but whatever it is it feels strange sometimes yes. If you are calling me a comedian then yes it does feel strange to be called that. The idea of doing gigs feels strange but when I get up on stage and just try to say my piece it doesn’t feel strange to me at all. It feels good for me to try and get my ideas out of me and into other people.  Sharing them to see if other people like them or not. If I have an idea and it makes me laugh and I say it on stage and other people laugh at it too then it makes me feel like I am part of something and not completely crazy.

7) What kind of people do you surround yourself with?

It is very rare that I am ever surrounded but I try to spend time with people who aren’t going to walk past a fish tank without looking in.

ROB AUTON’S SHOW: THE FACE SHOW IS AT THE SOHO THEATRE FROM 5TH-7TH MARCH. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHOW, THE WEEKLY STAND UP POETRY NIGHT HE RUNS AND HIS BOOK.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

Seven Questions With… Tiff Stevenson

Leave a Comment
Tiff StevensonTiff Stevenson is a very diverse stand up comedian, actor and writer who also runs the Old Rope new material night at The Phoenix in London. In recent times, you may have seen her on shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock The Week, and she’s even performed at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2011 for the final of ITV’s Show Me The Funny. Tiff is currently touring her latest show Optimist, where she discusses the harsh realities of adulthood while also trying to dissect her own personal outlook on the world.
I asked her these seven questions to delve a little deeper…

1) What is the strangest thing you’ve ever done?

It would be easier to ask me the least strange. Most of them in a professional capacity. Over time I have been a tequila shot girl, club podium dancer, street theatre performer, promo person, snogged Finchy from The Office (during an episode not just a random lunge), was the lead in a Dizzee Rascal video, I ran around the streets of Liverpool with Ellie Taylor searching for women called Michelle and I once swam with sharks during the Edinburgh fringe… actual sharks not Kate Copstick.

2) Do you attempt New Year’s Resolutions?

Attempt would be the best description. To be honest I’m on a self improvement jag most of the time 

3) What is the best gigging experience you’ve ever had?

Ok a few so here goes:

Reading Festival 2013 & 2014 – just my perfect crowd really. Young people with a dark/outsider slant and discerning older people with great taste in music. Full tent of 3,500 people. Leeds is often great too but Reading pips it. Also, playing places like the Apollo are pretty great as the laughter comes back at you in waves.

In terms of small intimate rooms then The Phoenix in Cavendish Sq is the nuts. It is where I run Old Rope every Monday, it’s absolutely the best comedy room and I’ve had some of my best gigs in there. So many! I did the Melbourne Comedy Roadshow and some of the theatres there are amazing, you are on a mixed bill with other great performers. Also Hannibal Buress runs a room at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn which is pretty hard to beat.

4) Which animal would be the worst pet?

A human called Tiff Stevenson. She would wear all your clothes and shit all over the carpet, but then she would do a funny joke and you’d have to forgive her.

5) What is the best thing to do on a Sunday?

Sunday morning is spent reflecting on how funny you are. Normally an hour or so in the mirror saying things like ‘You are the best’ and ‘Who wants a British Comedy Award anyway?’.

Then 4 hours of comedic sit-ups which is basically watching marathons of Buffy, Supernatural or this new show called Friends… don’t know if you’ve heard of it? It’s about 6 friends who live in New York and meet up in a coffee shop. It’s a period piece where they all dress in 90’s clothes.

Sunday evening is spent shouting at the cat and my boyfriend then sticking my fingers up to Nike by wearing their ‘Just Do It’ leggings whilst sitting on the sofa doing absolutely cock all.

Sunday late evening – I try to sleep then inevitably get all my joke ideas so stay up till 3am.

6) What is the best thing about being alive?

Serving my cat, I am merely a slave to his demands. Occasionally he rewards me by leaving a sick on the carpet or bringing in a pigeon that he has murdered.

7) Do you have any advice for new comedians?

Go buy tickets to see Tiff Stevenson on tour and you will learn everything you need to know. Also write, write more and get stage time.

TIFF STEVENSON’S SHOW: OPTIMIST WILL BE AT THE SOHO THEATRE FROM THE 25TH- 28TH FEBRUARY

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…

Review: Josie Long, Cara Josephine

Leave a Comment

I have wanted to see Josie Long live for a long time due to her infamous political comedy but also because she is one of the most articulate, kind-hearted comics out there. Cara Josephine is her least political show for a long time and I think that may be because the message of this set is far too positive to be weighed down by the heavy nature of British politics- we can forget all that for a little while. Supported by the eccentric Tom Allen, these two supplied a superb Wednesday evening of entertainment.

Tom Allen

Photo: Steve Ullathorne

Tom Allen expertly juggles being slightly sinister with being endearing, friendly and flamboyant; his delivery fluctuates between being downbeat and slow-moving, and charmingly playful. With a presence similar to that of the well-spoken stand up comedian Simon Evans, Allen showed an incredibly dark streak; a welcome contrast to the abundance of crowd-pleasing ‘safe’ comedy that has emerged in recent years. Tom showed a talent for altering the metaphorical distance between himself and his audience, as we soon began to warm to each other and he opened up more and more about his family and his childhood.

Josie and Tom were very different in their material, delivery and stage presence but I noticed one major similarity: what they say is perfected by the way in which they say it. Tom Allen’s material would not be done justice if spoken by anybody else; he has a compelling presence on stage and a very distinctive voice. In Josie’s case, she uses her delightfully childish humour to break up heavily emotional or political segments which makes for a fantastically rounded and widely accessible show.

Josie Long’s Cara Josephine is a carefully constructed work of art. She begins on the surface, talking about her recent experiences taking Maths A Level as a 32 year old because she kept having nightmares about taking Maths A Level (I know, it makes perfect sense), and gradually getting more and more intimate until we reach the crux of the show: issues regarding our own self worth. I had heard that this was Josie’s most personal show to date, but had not expected her to be so wonderfully open about her past loves and losses, and make it so bloody funny.

Josie Long

Photo: Giles Smith

With a passion for poetry and an Oxford University education under her belt, Josie makes no effort to hide how well-read she is, and, frankly, why should she? I really appreciate the kind of comedy that values intelligence and the art of learning, and this show in particular enables audiences to learn about the woman on the stage, but also about her perception of events that happen to us all throughout our lives. This comedian talks to an extent of the difficult time she had as a teenager, and seeing where she is now, and despite only being seventeen myself, I think all of her fans feel a strange sense of pride for all that she has achieved.

This is because Josie Long is everyone’s friend. She opens herself up to her audiences, making herself vulnerable, all for the sake of her art, and I think that is something to be admired. Her comedy certainly blossoms because of it. With her infectious, bubbly personality, Josie has managed to build up consistently warm and friendly audiences which meant that the atmosphere in Wolverhampton was supportive and encouraging. This lady talks of growing old, but in my eyes she’ll be young her whole life: she has clearly learned a lot in the past few years, but hasn’t let this harden her in anyway and she remains as bright-eyed and spirited as ever.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH… JOSIE LONG