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Seven Questions With… Elf Lyons

January 27, 2015 by Becca Moody 1 Comment
Elf Lyons is vibrant and uncompromising; a woman of the people with a warm, friendly charm. This lady was clearly born to perform, and not just in a public speaking sense, but in an extravagant and physical style of comedy that few seem to be creating these days. Elf, who’s comedy is often compared to that of Noel Fielding, hits London in early February with her new show, Being Barbarella. If you need energising, or just want some new talent to watch, check out this refreshingly real and exhilarating performer.
I asked Elf these seven questions to learn a little more about her…

1) What is the first thing you think of every morning?

More often than not my thought process in the morning tends to go like this: First, “Why is the woman upstairs vacuuming at 6am?”, secondly; “I’m never drinking three bottles of Prosecco again,”  then, “How did I get home?”, then, “Please God let there be coffee in the kitchen”, then, “I should probably go to the gym and think about what I’ve done with my life”, then finally ‘NO. Bad idea. I’ll just eat a croissant in bed and write a new bit of material instead. WISE”, followed by “WHY IS SHE STILL VACUUMING??”

However, if I am being a normal adult woman (which is what I am 99% of the time because I am very mature) I tend to wake up every day around 7.30am, turn to my left, look at the ‘To-Do List’ I write religiously the night before (just before I go to sleep usually- this is one of the great superpowers OCD gives you: ‘uber organisation’) and follow/complete the to-does I’ve set myself. It always starts with the first point: ‘WAKE UP’ and then ‘GET COFFEE’. If I can get all the admin-rubbish done as early as possible in the day, it gives me more time to be creative and make work for the rest of the day. And go to the cinema.

Photo: Pippa Moyle

Photo: Pippa Moyle

2) What was your favourite subject at school?

Art. I used to draw all my teachers in class, used to make up characters in my head and I was obsessed with Pastels and making a mess. Also, you were allowed to listen to the RADIO in class! #winning. I am so at peace when I am drawing – I used to sketch lots of comics live when I first started and am proud to say I have a lovely lil drawing of James Acaster from 2010 in my journal at home!

When I was life-drawing I used to listen to comedy podcasts on my iPod. However, my teacher had to ask me to stop listening to them when I was drawing. When I asked why, he explained that I kept on laughing randomly during the sessions and it was making Miles, our life model, very nervous. He thought I was laughing manically at him and his flaccid member, however, I had to explain I wasn’t laughing as his naked body but was in was in fact giggling at the comedy of The Mighty Boosh. Easy misunderstanding.

When I left Uni I ended up getting a job as a life-model. Most of my parent’s friends didn’t know what that was, so I just told them I was a ‘lazy stripper’. My parents were thrilled.

3) Something that you’re afraid of?

Seals. I am terrified of seals. They are the underwater equivalent of Samara from The Ring and look like the type of animal Hades would keep as a pet in the Underworld. Big fat blubbery demetor mammals with eyes like black snooker balls. THERE IS NOTHING CUTE ABOUT THOSE EYES. THOSE ARE THE EYES OF A PSYCOPATH. I have no problem with seals being eaten by sharks. I tried to explain this to a man I met on the tube once. He moved seats.

4) What is the worst month of the year?

I’m gonna be blunt and say that March is pretty pointless. I personally think we have too many months with 31 days anyway and I’d argue that March could possibly just get cut and we could double up and have a 61 day June – as June is the absolute best. Although we have international ‘Save a Spider Day’ on March 14th, I’d go so far to say this is the only redeeming feature of March. March is named after Mars who was the Roman God of War, and next to seals, I absolutely hate war and I don’t think we should have a month that encourages it. Also if you were born in March, chances are you are either an Aries or Pisces and as a Gemini (again, June is the best) I have never had a successful Tinder date with either.

5) Who is your comedy hero?

My dad. He’s always saying very funny, dry jokes. For example, when I ask him, “Hey dad! Do you love me?”, he always replies with the phrase, “What are the choices?”. Never gets old. Never.

He was born in March.

Other than that, my comedy heroes have always been Dave Allen, Emo Phillips, Noel Fielding and French & Saunders.

6) What’s your opinion on celebrity culture?

I can’t wait to be a part of it. If it helps one get a ‘Black Nandos’ card to eat free in my favourite chicken establishment or be able to get 35687,0000000 likes on Instagram for a picture of my puppy, Khaleesi, I am all for it.  Also, by ‘celebrity culture’ I assume you also mean the other western translation meaning ‘Kim Kardashian’s bottom?”. That is a very important part of celebrity culture, and I’d argue to some extent a global issue. Any woman that can happily risk balancing a bottle of expensive champagne (or Prosecco, she may be on a budget) on her oiled posterior all for the sake of breaking the internet (very important issue right now) gets a high five from me. Mainly because if there is one thing I think that is lacking at the moment, it is highly suggestive and sexualised imagery of powerful women doing impractical things with kitchen appliances and home goods! AM I RIGHT LADIES???

7) What would you like people to take away from your comedy?

A chair. Chairs at comedy gigs are often very comfortable and if you enjoyed the gig i think it’s wise to take* the chair you laughed in home with you, so you can sit in and go “ah, this is my fun chair”.

A memory. The type of memory that one can sit and think about fondly in one’s fun chair and go “Ah… that was a fun gig.”

A picture of my face. Like a religious memento, that one can look upon and cry fondly over.

*some would say ‘steal’.

BUY TICKETS FOR NEXT WEEK’S LONDON RUN OF ELF LYONS: BEING BARBARELLA

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Posted in: Comedians, Seven Questions With... Tagged: Being Barbarella, British Comedy, Comedy, Elf Lyons, Interview, Seven Questions With

Seven Questions With… Lloyd Griffith

January 24, 2015 by Becca Moody 1 Comment
Today I present to you a man of many surprises: a choir boy, a fire engine fanatic; a man who can do a brilliant impression of sellotape. Lloyd Griffith is a very funny guy with a very unique take on the concept of stand up comedy who manages to incorporate detailed autobiographical anecdotes and spot on observations as well musical interludes. Here we have a comedian who will soon be appearing on every television show under the sun, if his latest Sweat The Small Stuff and BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Comedy Club are anything to go by.
I asked him these seven questions to find out more…

1) What’s the best thing about modern day technology?

Pretending that we’re doing interviews face to face. Nobody will know if this interview is face to face or not. Sure, you could have a photo of you and I together but that can be done by photoshop. The whole world is fake because of modern technology. Why are you looking at me like that? It’s the truth Becca.

Meeting Lloyd Griffith, January 2015

Meeting Lloyd Griffith, January 2015

2) What’s your favourite film of all time?

Very good question.

3) Which five comedians would be on your perfect line up?

Alive: Lee Mack, Sean Lock, Terry Alderton, Daniel Kitson, Me.

Dead: Lee Mack, Sean Lock, Terry Alderton, Daniel Kitson, Me.

4) Best/worst nightmare you’ve ever had?

The other night I had a dream that I had a flip phone like people had in 2004. People were shouting at me in the street as though I was a child murderer because I had a flip phone. Whenever I went into a phone shop to try and get an upgrade they had security remove me from the shop. It was awful. I woke up in tears. 

5) Which is your favourite British city?

Tough one this Becca. Very good question. My rating of cities is based on Cathedrals and Football stadia. If it’s a draw, I’ll use fire stations as the deciding factor. You see, Durham has a very nice cathedral (my 5th fave), yet has no proper football stadium. On the flip side (not flip phone, lol) Brighton has a very nice football stadium but no Cathedral. Now, Liverpool has two very good football stadiums and two VERY interesting Cathedrals, but, I have to say that Exeter is my favourite city after London and Grimsby. 

6) Does the lifestyle of a working comedian suit you?

Oh totes babez. I spend the day at home in my Grimsby Town shorts eating soup (homemade pea and ham at the moment, got myself an hand blender in the January sales didn’t I?!) and writing jokes. Occasionally people like you come round to do an interview and I make an effort and wear a suit like I’m wearing now, but overall that’s what I do. Then I’ll jump in my Seat Ibiza 1.9 tdi (s) and go tell jokes to people in the evening. I sometimes take a soup with me. Genuinely, I love making people laugh and so when I do that (usually 44% success rate) I’m having a good time. 

7) Are you a rule breaker?

Nah mate. Pretty straight down the line LIKE A RULE. Haha. Please come to my show.

For more information live shows and television appearances, visit Lloyd’s website, or follow him on Twitter at @LloydGriffith.

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Posted in: Comedians, Seven Questions With... Tagged: British Comedy, Comedy, Interview, Lloyd Griffith, Seven Questions With

Review: Bramall Comedy Night, Ivo Graham, Holly Walsh & Nathan Caton

January 20, 2015 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

Last Thursday I visited Bramall Hall at the University of Birmingham for the third instalment of their fantastic comedy night. It was great to see a very busy venue this time, as opposed to the relatively small numbers I had seen in previous months, perhaps due to the fact the names on the bill seem to get bigger each month.

Ivo Graham was the night’s compere and showed an impressive ability to build a set around the answers of the few people he questioned, whilst remaining open to the audience as a whole. Only a small portion of what was said was obviously material and Graham seemed to derive most of his laughs from impulsive remarks as his energy bounced of the audience. With a love for Mario Kart, Ivo Graham is a wonderfully endearing loser (like the majority of us deep down) and was able to laugh at himself without it seeming constructed or forced.

First up was Holly Walsh, who I’ve watched for years on numerous television shows, particularly panel shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock The Week, but more recently on Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled. Holly brings a lovely enthusiasm to a room and has such a delightfully positive vibe about her, and as she pointed out, she sounds ridiculously sweet when she swears, so it doesn’t have the desired effect. Introducing herself as “Holly. Or if my parents are telling me off, Holiver,” it was great to finally see this funny woman in person.

Nathan Caton

Nathan Caton

Nathan Caton was a name and face that I knew, but I hadn’t seen that much of his stand up as I’d only ever seen him on shows like Mock The Week and Good News. Caton’s personality on stage is brilliant; he is cool and relaxed, with material spanning family, politics and race, amongst others. His impressions of his grandmother got the audience laughing the most, and were my favourite part of the night, as well as his newfound fear of white women in dark alleyways.

This comedy night just keeps getting better and better, and I truly can’t wait for next month (check the line up to see why).

BRAMALL COMEDY NIGHT: DECEMBER 2014

Posted in: Comedians, Live Comedy, Reviews Tagged: Comedy, Holly Walsh, Ivo Graham, Live Comedy, Nathan Caton

Seven Questions With… Lou Sanders

January 10, 2015 by Becca Moody 1 Comment
Lou Sanders is a wonderfully upbeat comedian with a fantastic energy that seems to win over any audience. She has mastered the art of saying the most horrendous things but using her charming personality to carry her through to safety every single time, with her innocent delivery and sweet smile. Sanders is definitely one to watch, having appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News Extra as well as being a writer on Channel 4’s Stand Up For The Week.
I asked Lou these seven questions to learn a little more about her…

1) Have you ever heard a really strange rumour about yourself?

 I don’t think so. Oh no, hang on – the other day I bumped in to another comic, John Luke Roberts and he said; ‘Oh I was just talking about you with someone.’

‘Let me guess you were saying my comedy is on fire at the moment? ‘

‘Oh no, they said you were really in to Tantra.’

‘Oh right.’

Now, I’ve got nothing against Tantra, I bet its great but I’ve never studied it. Also, I’m single so ‘Tantra for one’ seems like a bit of a waste of time. I mean, I’ve got admin to do and Tantra is not a friend of time management, it’s simply not efficient.

2) What is the best song in the charts right now, and why?

Right – I’ve just had to search engine the charts.

Hang on, seems Ben Howard’s still hanging around the charts so him. It’s hard to say why you like certain music, I don’t really care for maudlin, sad music. I love rock and folk rock and a bit of depth but not really sad songs. Puts me in a downer. I love Babyshambles’ new album (well at least half of it which is good odds with an album) and I saw The Libertines recently and they were brilliant (just before Pete went to rehab but he held it together – though Carl did lead the show). I’m stuck in the music from about 7 or 8 years ago maybe when I used to go to gigs all the time.

lou sanders

3) What one word describes your life, and why?

Rosy. Because I sprayed rose perfume on earlier and it accidentally went all in my face. So my life / face is pretty rosy plus I have a rose candle lit at the moment. I mean COULD LIFE GET ANY ROSIER? Probably yes.

4) How many friends is too many friends?

26.5 (I measured it).

5) Why is comedy the right job for you?

I’m not sure it is. I’d like to do something a bit more helpful to the world maybe. I kind of want to nail comedy first though.

6) Something that makes you feel old?

Both the question and my answer to Question 2.

That and crowded areas – I’m not into it and the older I get the more I get a boner for nature. But I still feel quite young. The other day I was up dancing till 10pm for example.

7) Which stand up comedians should we look out for?

Annie McGrath is so great, she’s in a brilliant double act called Twins, but has started doing stand up as herself too which is excellent. And Lolly Adefope is smashing – she does character stuff. Patrick Turpin turns out some great shows and jokes. And I saw a set by Peter Brush the other week and his writing was brilliant. I’m sure I’ve missed loads of them out but these are just great ones I’ve seen recently.

Lou Sanders will be releasing a DVD on Go Faster Stripe in early 2015. For more information about this, and any of Lou’s other projects, visit her website, or follow her Twitter at @LouSanders.

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Posted in: Comedians, Seven Questions With... Tagged: British Comedy, Comedy, Interview, Lou Sanders, Seven Questions With

December: Comedian Of The Month #11, Nish Kumar

January 2, 2015 by Becca Moody 2 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.

Nish Kumar is a comedian who I have known of for a while but hadn’t seen too much of his stuff until recently. He is a part of a particular group of my favourites who happen to be television regulars (though Nish himself is someone I would definitely like to see on the television more). As a “British, Asian gentleman”, Kumar has faced his fair share of daily aggravations from the moronic proportion of the British public, and he has turned it into something hilarious.

Kumar is a wonderful observational comic, picking out the humorous parts of both the strange, and relatively mundane, experiences he has, to great effect. Like all great comedians, he talks about what he knows, be that awkward encounters with his parents or talking to girls.

He has a particular piece of material that I like very much that regards the attitudes of people concerning what is comedy and completely shuts down people who stupidly suggest that if it’s not funny, it’s just not comedy anymore. I always find these little elements of frustrated truth to be the funniest, because it’s such a relief to laugh at these irritating things.

Nish’s style of comedy is very approachable, with him being both well-spoken yet subtly self-depreciating, which allows an audience to feel at ease with him, as if he is an old friend, which is a great trait for a performer to have. I certainly look forward to seeing more of Nish Kumar in the future as he is undeniably a very funny man (with beautiful eyes).

Follow Nish on Twitter and for further information, visit his website.

NOVEMBER COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

Posted in: Comedian Of The Month, Comedians Tagged: Comedian Of The Month, Comedy, Nish Kumar

This Year In Comedy, Part 2

December 30, 2014 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

2014 was the year that truly proved that the British comedy scene is an exciting place to be. But with all things in life, there have been ups and downs and the industry has lost some of its brightest talents this year.

Two of these, for myself in particular, hurt the most. Star of The Young Ones, Rik Mayall passed away suddenly on June 9th, as a result of a heart attack after his morning run. The news was a shock to everyone, especially as Rik was only 56. Rik Mayall was a shining light in the world of comedy: he was kind, clever, and never afraid to act like a fool. He didn’t take himself too seriously and managed to bring out the inner child in all who watched his hilarious on-screen performances. Television suffered a great loss when Mayall died this year, particularly as he was due to be recording a second series of the magnificently funny Man Down (starring Greg Davies, Roisin Conaty and Mike Wozniak) that summer.

Rik Mayall

Rik Mayall

Two months later, the beloved Robin Williams, who will always have a special place in my heart as Mrs Doubtfire, tragically died on August 11th after a long period of severe depression. The world was silenced to hear this, especially, I gather, people currently working as comics who had worked with him or been inspired by him when they were young.

Every generation knew Robin Williams. His acting credits are endless, including Mork and Mindy, Mrs Doubtfire and Flubber to name a few, as well as being an iconic stand up comedian. The story of what happened is heartbreaking, but at least something positive came out of it: in the days that passed after the world received the news, people slowly started tweeting, blogging and, most importantly, talking about depression. Robin Williams taught the world that mental illness is all around us, even in the places where you might not expect to find it, and his legacy as a fantastic actor and comedian will stay with us all for decades to come.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams

2014 brought about the natural end to various loved sitcoms. The seventh, and final, series of Not Going Out was broadcast throughout October, November and December, with the final ever episode airing on Christmas Eve. As well as this, Miranda Hart announced that the final episodes of her playfully childish television hit Miranda were to be aired on Christmas and New Year’s Day, after having spanned three series.

As if this year hadn’t had its fair share of controversies, Vine celebrity, Dapper Laughs (Daniel O’Reilly) dug himself a hole when his awful and misogynistic television show On The Pull was aired on ITV in October. The “comedian” had been previously criticised for his comments regarding women and his horrendous rape “jokes” so it was no surprise that an online petition was launched to get Dapper Laughs off of our television screens. When this petition was successful, some complained that it was a denial of free speech and a dangerous act of censorship, but quite frankly, I think the danger came from the way O’Reilly fed and encouraged rape culture through his own stupidity; in my eyes, he committed a crime. But no fear, he will, of course, be back in 2015, so he wasn’t really sorry at all.

To end on a positive note, however, for the first time in five years, Never Mind The Buzzcocks has found a permanent host in the incredible funny Rhod Gilbert. Rhod is absolutely brilliant at hosting the programme; he is eloquent, witty and sarcastic and has already been successful in developing a comfortable and, most importantly, funny atmosphere.

2014 has been a year of many surprises, some good and some bad. I hope 2015 is equally as interesting and even more funny. Happy New Year!

READ PART ONE OF MY YEAR ROUNDUP HERE.

Posted in: Comedians, News, Television Shows Tagged: British Comedy, Comedy, Dapper Laughs, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, News, Rhod Gilbert, Rik Mayall, Robin Williams

This Year In Comedy, Part 1

December 27, 2014 by Becca Moody 2 Comments

2014 has been a massive year for comedy in Britain;

There have been countless brand new television programmes broadcast this year, with some of my favourites including Uncle, House of Fools, Doll & Em, The Walshes, Inside No.9, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled and Siblings. In this sense, 2014 has certainly proven itself to be twelve months of creativity and innovation in comedy, which will pave the way for televised comedy in the future.

As well as new projects, there have been many top-quality programmes that returned to our screens this year. Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy: Tales From Painted Hawaii was a special one for me, as Noel Fielding is my comedy hero, and considering the fact that the first series was broadcast all the way back in January 2012. Ricky Gervais’ Derek, Toast of London (Matt Berry) and Big School (David Walliams and Catherine Tate) returned for a second series and the brilliantly funny Friday Night Dinner came back with a third.

Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy

Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy

At the beginning of the year, the BBC announced that they were to make a conscious effort to include at least one woman on every episode of every panel show broadcast by the corporation, and it inspired me to write this post. It’s fair to say that to begin with, I was disheartened. I felt embarrassed that female comedians were being made to look like poor little lambs that can’t fend for themselves as it is absolute nonsense. However, the situation improved later on in the year (which I also documented here) as the thirteenth series of Mock The Week aired and so many talented female comics were given the screen time they deserve. It is my hope from here on in that people forget about the publicised rule and appreciate that these women have earned their right to be on these programmes, and acknowledge their immense talent.

Another shock announcement was that there are plans for the channel BBC3 to be axed in order to fund other projects within the BBC. Amongst other things, the broadcaster wants to create a BBC1+1 which seems pointless as we already have iPlayer, and the decision has, understandably, not been well received. We are told that when BBC3 disappears from our TV screens, it will still be available via BBC iPlayer. Maybe we are just reluctant to give in to the age of the computers, but it definitely feels like the space for new comedy on television is being made smaller by moving its main platform online. “We know those +1 channels are very important to people”, well, Mr Cohen, so is our comedy.

Winner of this year's Fosters Comedy Award: John Kearns

Winner of this year’s Fosters Comedy Award: John Kearns

The Edinburgh Festival this year saw a new winner of the Fosters Comedy Award crowned. John Kearns’ show Shtick is the first Free Fringe show to have ever won the award. There have also been some HUGE live comedy tours this year from the likes of Russell Howard, Miranda Hart, Sarah Millican and Noel Fielding, as well as the return of Monty Python for five nights of nostalgic silliness at the O2 Arena.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK TO READ PART TWO OF THIS YEAR IN COMEDY

Posted in: Comedians, News, Television Shows Tagged: British Comedy, Comedy, John Kearns, News, Noel Fielding, Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy

The British Comedy Awards 2014

December 23, 2014 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

2014 has been a fantastic year for British Comedy, and The British Comedy Awards exists to showcase a large proportion of that to the public.

Last year’s post about the British Comedy Awards ceremony was largely negative, as a result of the production rather than the comedy being nominated and awarded. The show was aired live, which meant that mistakes could not be hidden and the timing issues were obvious, with some speeches having to be cut short which seemed outrageous. This year, however, the programme aired on Channel 4 on December 17th, rather than live, on December 16th, which meant the whole affair appeared far more professional and respectable, if a little fake, to the television audience.

It was a delight to see the wonderful Harry Enfield receive three awards (individually for Best TV Comedy Actor and teamed with Paul Whitehouse (Harry & Paul) for Best Sketch Show and Best Comedy Moment). Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) also won Best TV Comedy Actress, which I think is incredibly well-deserved and so endearing to see how shocked she was to be recognised. Matt Berry was nominated for a whopping six awards, though he lost to Nick Helm for Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist, which is just as it should be seeing as Berry has been a television comic for over a decade. I’m a big fan of Berry’s Toast of London; it was great to see such a strange style of sitcom win an award for once.

The person I was most pleased to see win an award was certainly Aisling Bea, who won Best Female TV Comic. Seeing this absolute ray of sunshine crawl onto stage in her dress and heels and inadvertently turn herself into a “hospital DJ,” made me laugh so much and just proved that Aisling is a funny woman through and through. I am unbelievably pleased for her and can’t wait to see what this award does for her career in the coming year. Another beautiful moment was hearing an emotional speech from Brendan O’Carroll (Mrs Brown’s Boys), who was rightly awarded with the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award.

It’s easy to be cynical whilst watching such a grandiose display of wealth and status, and there were times throughout the production where I did feel like the spirit of British Comedy was being exploited, but, unlike Stewart Lee, I chose to ignore that this year. From the position of a viewer rather than a performer, I can see that The British Comedy Awards gives comics a platform to boost their careers or give them recognition for their lifetime achievements, and that can only be a good thing in my opinion, however unfair you believe the results to be. Out of the nominees for King or Queen of Comedy, however, Greg Davies will always win in the end.

I think my favourite part of the whole affair was hearing Tulisa say “I’m a big comedy fan.” Yes, that part made me laugh the most.

Posted in: Comedians, News, Television Shows Tagged: Aisling Bea, Brendan O'Carroll, British Comedy, Comedy, Harry Enfield, Katherine Parkinson, Toast Of London

Seven Questions With… Josie Long

December 20, 2014 by Becca Moody 1 Comment
The name Josie Long is one that every comedy lover will know, and is a name that brings a smile to the faces of many, including myself. Josie is a loveable and sweet yet sharp-tongued and foul-mouthed stand up comic whose material spans from the fantastical to the satirical. She is a bright and positive light shining through the cracks of an often bitter and brutal comedy industry, and, beginning stand up comedy at the age of fourteen, here we have a lady who was quite simply born to perform.
To learn more from this fascinating comedian, I asked Josie these seven questions…

1) What is your favourite day of the week?

I like Thursdays. I usually have some time to write, and spend the day in my office with my friends Neil and Bryony who run Arts Emergency. Plus the place downstairs does Ethiopian food at lunchtime and it is great!

2) Biggest misconception someone could have about you?

That I like pointless twee tat. I like things that have a lot of functionality to them. I do really like homemade things, but I don’t like that many things that are purely decorative or too silly.

3) How would you define your ‘audience’?

I feel so lucky to have such kind and friendly people at my gigs. Is it too shallow and stupid to say they look really cool? I think my dream crowd is on a wavelength with me- so earnest, slightly awkward nerds are probably my dream audience. It’s interesting though I think – because I do a lot of different types of things, my audience can vary a lot; sometimes it’s a very political crowd, and sometimes it’s more people who’ve heard me on radio 4. Other times it’s just drunk people who don’t want to be there!

Photo: Giles Smith

Photo: Giles Smith

4) What is your opinion on poetry?

I love reading poetry. I wish that everybody read more poetry. There is so much out there to discover. There’s a poetry library in the RFH on the South Bank and it’s such a brilliant place to go and just enjoy finding new poets.  I like poetry because you can always dip in and out of reading it. You’ve always got time to read a short poem, and they can capture something so important or so beautiful that they can profoundly help you, or stir you, or challenge you. And you might just be reading it in five minutes on the bus and POW that’s your life changed!

5) What are you driven by in life?

I think I just like the idea that I could keep trying new things and meeting interesting people. I really want to get better as a writer and as a performer too. I would also say I am quite heavily free meal/canapé/free sparkling wine/free travel motivated. I will take pretty much any gig if there is free food or a jolly involved. Other than work, I am driven by trying to do things for the people I love and trying to make the world a better place in my own silly way.

6) What is your favourite thing on TV right now?

I’ve been watching The Fall with Gillian Anderson on iPlayer and it’s very good. I think she’s a fantastic actor.

7) Is being a performer the best therapy?

Ha no, therapy is the best therapy.

TICKETS FOR JOSIE LONG’S 2015 TOUR: CARA JOSEPHINE, ARE AVAILABLE NOW. FIRST SHOWS ARE IN JANUARY SO GET YOUR TICKETS QUICK

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Posted in: Comedians, Seven Questions With... Tagged: British Comedy, Comedy, Interview, Josie Long, Seven Questions With

Review: Bramall Comedy Night, Suzi Ruffell, Caimh McDonnell & Paul Sinha

December 13, 2014 by Becca Moody 2 Comments

This Thursday saw the second instalment of the University of Birmingham’s brand new monthly comedy night, with three new fantastic comedians on the bill.

Compèred by the impressively quick-witted Suzi Ruffell, this small audience felt at ease within minutes and the atmosphere was comfortable: ready for some sophisticated Thursday night comedy. Ruffell showed great skill while compèring; she was friendly and enthusiastic but her role definitely felt more like any other act on the bill, which I definitely prefer as often compères can border on annoying, in my opinion.

Suzi’s material was charmingly open, with topics ranging from adolescence to drunken shopping, and her delivery was self-assured yet the emotional nature of her material meant that she allowed herself to be vulnerable whilst on stage, which made for an interesting combination.

Suzi-Ruffell

Suzi Ruffell © Andy Hollingworth Archive

Next, Irish comic Caimh McDonnell was welcomed to the stage, bringing his brilliant energy with him. With personal anecdotes about his wife and time living in both London and Manchester, McDonnell was able to establish a connection with his audience effortlessly, making us feel as though we all want him to be our friend, or that he already was so. I really enjoyed Caimh’s set, particularly the fact he brought a large wall clock on stage with him as he didn’t have a watch. I’ll definitely be on the look out for more of his stuff in the future, as I’d never heard of him previously but thought he was hilarious.

Paul Sinha brought an air of calm with him into the room with his steady-paced, straight-faced delivery of incredibly sarcastic lines. I have been a fan of Sinha since seeing him on series one of Stewart Lee’s brilliant show: The Alternative Comedy Experience, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. His set was endearingly honest, with frequent reference to the fact he is gay, and the implications this has had with various aspects of his life, such as his father’s amusing response when he found out. Whilst on stage, this comedian is very in control. He is steady and stable but not afraid to be silly or self-depreciating. On top of all of this, he is absolutely excellent.

This small-scale monthly comedy night in Birmingham is a wonderful (and cheap) event that allows us to see comics we might not necessarily have heard of before, or that aren’t currently touring the country with their shows. If you live nearby, I urge you to take a look.

SEVEN QUESTIONS… WITH SUZI RUFFELL

BRAMALL COMEDY NIGHTS

Posted in: Comedians, Live Comedy, Reviews Tagged: Caimh McDonnell, Comedy, Live Comedy, Paul Sinha, Suzi Ruffell
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