Interview

Interview: Lee Ridley aka Lost Voice Guy

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Lee Ridley aka Lost Voice Guy is a stand up comedian from Newcastle. He first spoke to MoodyComedy back in 2014 and has since produced multiple Edinburgh shows, written a radio sitcom and even recently auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent. I interviewed Lee about this growing list of successes and this is what he had to say…

Hi Lee, what’s changed since we last spoke back in 2017?

Quite a lot actually! My life has become pretty busy, which is good. I’ve got a sitcom coming out on BBC Radio 4 called Ability. Ability is about a disabled guy who can be a bit of a dick at times. So, obviously it’s totally fictional and not based on myself at all! It follows the life of Matt (who uses a communication device to speak with… again purely coincidental!). He has recently moved out of home to live with his best mate, Jess, and also has a very dodgy carer called Bob, who visits him every day. What possibly could go wrong?! It’s due to start being broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 11.30am on Wednesday 2 May. Then, I’m taking my show – Inspiration Porn – to the Edinburgh Fringe in August as well. Oh, and I’ve just auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent! 

For those who don’t know you, what is your comedy all about?

Basically, as I’m unable to speak, I use an iPad to tell my jokes on stage. Hence the name Lost Voice Guy. Mainly my material is just taking the piss out of myself and my disability. I’ve always being able to see the funny side of my condition. So this is just like free therapy for me! 

What made you decide to audition for this year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent? Was it a difficult decision?

I’m doing Britain’s Got Talent because I enjoy performing and I think this will be a great opportunity for me to grow both as a performer and a person. I’d also like to prove that disabled people are just like everyone else, and are allowed to have a sense of humour.

Which judge did you most want to impress?

Simon, obviously. Then I might get a ride in his private jet! 

What do you hope to get out of your Britain’s Got Talent experience?

Obviously I’m hoping to go as far as possible but, at the same time, I’m just enjoying the experience and seeing where it takes me. I think it’s more important to have fun than to have any great expectations.

Have you had positive responses from any disability charities since your appearance on the show?

Yes, all the charities that I am involved with have been very supportive since I was on the show. In fact, the response from people in general has been a bit breathtaking. My phone has never stopped since with people congratulating me and stuff. It’s all a bit surreal!

You’re a big supporter of various charities, can you tell us a little more about the ones that are closest to you?

I’m a big supporter of Communication Matters, who help give communication aids to those people who can’t communicate in any other way. I think it’s important that everyone has a voice in one way or another and Communication Matters do great work.

What are you most excited about right now?

My Radio Four sitcom which starts this week! I had the time of my life recording it, so I hope the listeners love it as well.

Visit Lee Ridley’s website or follow him on Twitter for more information

Interview: Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho

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Maggie Thatcher has been extremely busy since she first graced the stages of Edinburgh in 2014. MoodyComedy interviewed her last summer about her latest Edinburgh run, and now she returns to tell us all about Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho, which she will be performing at Vault Festival throughout February.

Hi Maggie, what’s changed since we last talked? 

Oh lots dear, not least James Franco’s chances of being nominated for an Oscar. When we last spoke there was a racist lunatic in the White House, the British Government was in disarray, the NHS was in crisis, climate change was ongoing and inequality was worse than ever… Sorry, were we talking about what had changed?

Are you looking forward to performing at Vault Festival from 14th-25th February?

Oh absolutely. Given that the threat of nuclear war is worse than at any time since the 1980s it makes sense to perform the show in what is essentially a fallout bunker. Joking aside, I love Vault Festival. It’s a chance to see exciting new work, meet talented young artists, and experience the atmosphere of the Edinburgh Fringe without having to shell out a million pounds for a flat.

How did your audiences during your Edinburgh Festival run tend to respond to you and your show?

What’s a humble way of saying ‘universal adoration’?

© Mihaela Bodlovic

How has your act evolved over the years?

Oh, it’s evolved a great deal. Back in 2013 I used to wear a blue skirt suit with a red pussy blouse, whereas now 2018 I have radically changed my look and now wear a blue skirt suit with a white pussy bow blouse. It’s night and day.

For you, what is the biggest joy about performing in front of a crowd?

It’s like being back in the house of commons, only the people in front of me aren’t Labour politicians and my backing dancers are slightly less likely to stab me in the back than Tory politicians.

And what is your least favourite aspect?

When other characters have lines. I mean seriously, it’s my name on the poster, why do other people have to speak?

What, or who, are the biggest factors of your success?

Max Factor.

What’s next for Maggie Thatcher?

Watch this space, dear – we’ve got some exciting news to announce very soon!

GET YOUR TICKETS TO SEE MAGGIE PERFORM AT VAULT FESTIVAL FOR 14-18TH AND  21ST-25TH FEBRUARY HERE

The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Will Duggan

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© Duncan Elliott

In his latest Edinburgh show, Perspicuator, Will Duggan sets about singlehandedly solving all of the world’s problems. Duggan will be performing at Just the Tonic at The Mash House throughout August.

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

Seeing all the people in my industry that I normally get to see sporadically throughout the year for a full month. That and tattiedogs. They’re these hotdogs wrapped in hash browns and they are the greatest food stuff on earth.

2) What was your first Edinburgh show about?

My first Edinburgh show was called ‘A Man Gathering Fish’ and was about every decision I had made in my life leading me to be in that room doing that show.

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

Yes. Small.

4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?

In 2013 I thought I had rented a room near the Grassmarket and had in fact rented a very small sofa about three miles away from the Grassmarket. Some friends of mine very kindly let me stay on their floor for the month. So yeah, the happy ending is sleeping on a floor for a month.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

When Funz and Gamez (the sort of kids show that I’m in with Phil Ellis, Jim Meehan and Mick Ferry) won a Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2014.

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

Far too many great shows to choose from to just pick out one.

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

All I want from anything in comedy is to keep getting better.

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

You know Bowie’s last album was sort of about how he knew he was going to die? But you only really realised it after the fact. Like that. But less clever and far less popular.

BOOK TICKETS FOR WILL DUGGAN: PERSPICUATOR, AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

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The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Fish Finger Fridays

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© Guy J Sanders

Fish Finger Fridays are an energetic comedy sketch trio made up of Anna Harris, Ollie Jones-Evans and Rajiv Karia. The group will be performing their free show Fun Time Friends at the Black Market throughout August.

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

Macaroni cheese pies. They’re everywhere and they are delicious, whoever decided to cover cheesy pasta with pastry should be knighted immediately.

2) What was your first Edinburgh show about?

Last year our debut show was a silly sketch piece about friendship and this year we’re at it again. Turns out there’s a lot of silly sketches you can write about friendship.

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

Usually very sexy people. Everyone in our audience is extremely good looking so if I were you, I’d come down and check it out. It would reflect really well on you.

4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?

In 2013 we shared 2 bedrooms with 13 people. It was the first time I slept in a suitcase and I’m pleased to say, it wasn’t my last. Once you go pack, you never go back.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

I have to say, seeing our poster behind a bin at the Brighton Fringe Festival was a really emotional moment to me. I don’t think anything will top that.

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

We’re really excited to see Jon Pointing’s show ‘Act Natural’. We saw a 30 min work in progress and it was a stupid funny.

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

Hopefully 3-4 inches around my middle. Those macaroni cheese pies won’t eat themselves!

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

We’ve signed a deal to do really bad shows at each other’s funerals dramatising our lives. We’re just hoping we don’t die together in a horrific accident, who would entertain the guests?

BOOK TICKETS FOR FISH FINGER FRIDAYS: FUN TIME FRIENDS, AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2017

The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Steve Bugeja

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© Edward Moore

Steve Bugeja returns to the Edinburgh Festival this year with an anecdotal show about a summer spent work at a kids camp in the US. Bugeja will be performing Summer Camp at  Just the Tonic at The Tron throughout August.

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

Being able to perform a show that I have worked hard on every night for a month in front of smart and appreciative audiences. Also it’s the only time of the year that I can eat a crepe every single day.

2) What was your first Edinburgh show about?

My first Edinburgh show was in 2015 and was called Day Release and was about the time I agreed to pick up a friends dad from prison, on his first trip out in 18 years and bring him to her wedding.

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

I wouldn’t say so. I get a good range of ages. My mum does have a lot of friends who she sends to the show, so that does skew the average age upwards somewhat. 

4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?

I’ve actually been quite lucky with my accommodation. The past three years though I have stayed somewhere with no lounge, which is fine for a bit, but after a while your room feels more like a prison. This year we have got a lounge and I can’t bloody wait to sit in it.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

Performing at The Melbourne Comedy Festival this past April was a real honour. We were so well looked after and I just had the best time.

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

Sarah Kendall, she has produced my favourite shows the past three years and I cannot wait to see what she does this time. 

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

A Brit Award and a Grammy nomination. Or failing that, a well received show and not too much debt.

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

What are you trying to say?  This is only my third, I’ve got loads more in me.  If you want me to leave just come out and say it.

BOOK TICKETS FOR STEVE BUGEJA: SUMMER CAMP, AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2017

The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Sleeping Trees

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Sleeping Trees (James Dunnell-Smith, John Woodburn and Joshua George Smith) are returning to the Edinburgh Festival with their three previous movie shows, Mafia?, Western? and Sci-Fi?. Directed by Tom Parry of Pappy’s fame, this high-energy group will be performing at the Pleasance Dome throughout August.

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

It’s the only place in the world you can watch the best thing you’ve ever seen and the worst thing you’ve ever seen, potentially in the same day or even same venue. It’s a real mix of stuff. Which is brilliant.

2) What was your first Edinburgh show about?

Our first Edinburgh show came up in 2009. It was our take on Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree. Except it was nothing like it at all. We hadn’t bothered to research the plot and messed about with whatever we did know. We were in the Hive (before it was cool) at about 2pm and every time we turned up to do the show they would still be hosing down the sick from the night before. We were so new to the game we didn’t even know to ask for donations after. Learnt a lot that year.

© Mark Dawson

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

We have been described before as alternative comedy with a broad appeal, which we like, we wouldn’t want to alienate any of our audience members to thinking it’s “not for them”.

4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?

One year the owner of the flat neglected to tell us that an Australian elf (his words) would be staying in the flat for a week. We were already cramped for space. However we ended up really bonding with him and were gutted to see him go.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

The first year we went to Edinburgh we saw Suitcase Royale perform in the Pleasance Two and we loved it. It then became something of an aspiration to perform there. Four years later we did, and the first time we sold it out was unbelievable. Will always remember that feeling. 

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

There is so much amazing stuff to see this year. Hoping to catch Gein’s Family Giftshop, Jordan Brookes and David McIver. But I will definitely be catching Joz Norris as I met my girlfriend at his show two years ago so we go every time, and because he’s brilliant.

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

We are just hoping to give any one who missed these shows when they previously played the Fringe another chance to catch them or anyone who wants to watch them again. We aren’t eligible for any awards or anything this year which is nice. We can just enjoy a year in which we are just performing for the people. 

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

We always say we want each show to feel a bit grander than the last, so if we can keep coming up with stuff we will have to end of some kind of Evel Knievel jumping over a school bus type affair. It had better be funny.

BOOK TICKETS FOR SLEEPING TREES AT THE MOVIES AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

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The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Stephen Bailey

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© Steve Ullathorne

Everyone’s favourite sharp-tongued, loveable gossip returns to the Edinburgh Festival this year with his new show Can’t Think Straight. Stephen Bailey will be performing at the Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters throughout August.

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

I feel like the Fringe is the end of year disco. And then September you get to start a fresh and I love it.

2) What was your first Edinburgh show about?

My first Edinburgh show was about how a boy broke my heart and broke me down. Woe is me. This new one is about finding the self confidence to be comfortable in my own skin again

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

I have a surprisingly mainstream audience. Everyone comes – male, female, young, old (71-year-old Bob in Southend is obsessed with me), straight, gay. I love it.

4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?

When a toilet exploded into the carpet and human faeces leaked into said carpet and the landlord wouldn’t do anything until we left at the end of August.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

Finally feeling like I was being taken seriously as a comedian and I must say that came from Katherine Ryan very generously taking me on tour with her when no one else would have me.

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

Eggs Collective, Evelyn Mok, Ellie Taylor, Grainne Maguire, Jayde Adams, Charlotte Church and just when you think I only love women, I’m going to see the pro that is Rich Wilson.

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

I’d really like just to keep building that audience. I’d also like to eat a lot of takeaways with my roomie Jayde Adams. Just have a laugh. It’s a comedy festival.

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

I hope it never ends. But I’d love to be doing a show one day where we’re laughing back at how stupid we used to be at voting #Brexit #Trump.

BOOK TICKETS FOR STEPHEN BAILEY: CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT, AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2017

The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Sisters

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Sisters, made up of Christy White-Spunner and Mark Jones, are a sketch duo who are bringing their debut show, White Noise, to this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Sisters will be performing at the Pleasance Courtyard throughout August.

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

The pad thai in Assembly gardens.

2) What is your first Edinburgh show about?

Our show is called ‘White Noise’ and it’s about our three favourite things: Comedy, the internet and friendship. It features us desperately trying to find an online audience by Facetiming complete strangers in between sketches.

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

Yeah complete bloody nutters. Also our parents.

4) What would be your worst Edinburgh accommodation nightmare?

Our worst Edinburgh accommodation nightmare would probably be an evil terraced house chasing us down the royal mile but we can’t run properly and whenever we try to cry out for help our voices don’t work.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

Sadiq Kahn coming to see our show. He didn’t put any money in the bucket.

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

The Wrestling! Partly because that’s the only show we’ve actually booked so far.

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

This is our debut show so we really just want to put ourselves on the map and for people to leave having really enjoyed it. Also a 6 figure movie deal.

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

Probably our theory that the world is going to end the day after.

BOOK TICKETS FOR SISTERS: WHITE NOISE, AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2017

The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Simon Munnery

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Simon Munnery is always a stand out surrealist performer at the Edinburgh Fringe and this year looks set to be no different. Munnery is performing his latest show Renegade Plumber at The Stand throughout August.

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

Doing a show for a month; it’s such a buzz.

2) What was your first Edinburgh show about?

It was a revue entitled ‘Jane Austen: Astronaut?’ I did two 5 minute stand-up spots and appeared in a couple of sketches.

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

There’s much variety; of age, gender, ethnicity, but so far, touch wood, they seem to be lovely people in the main. There are occasional exceptions; a few years ago there was a group in (at 3.30pm) who were unshutupably drunk. “We’ve been to The Whisky Society” they informed me by way of explanation.

4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?

The first time was the worst; an entire theatre company shared a tiny flat. We slept in tightly packed rows on the living room floor, and people would inevitably step on you on the way to the toilet.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

Stealing the Perrier award and being run to ground like a fox.

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

N.o.n.c.e. No idea what it’s about – although I can guess – but I’ve promised to attend. It’s good to see a show knowing as little as possible about it, so that it may surprise you and perhaps delight.

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

Enough money to feed the bairns, a show I can tour, and two or three really good conversations.

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

My impending death perhaps? But then again, maybe in a sense they’ve all been about that.

BOOK TICKETS FOR SIMON MUNNERY: RENEGADE PLUMBER, AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2017

The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: Phil Ellis

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Phil Ellis Has Been on Ice sees the comic re-awaken before his audience, having been cryogenically frozen since 2014. Ellis’ comedy game show Funz and Gamez is also returning to the Fringe this year, aimed at kids but enjoyed by adults too. Funz and Gamez will be at Just the Tonic at The Community Project and Phil Ellis Has Been on Ice will be at Just the Tonic at The Mash House throughout August.

1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?

Apart from my increased heart rate when I check my bank balance? Probably just getting to perform an hour of something you’ve worked hard on all year and believe in each day. Getting to see friends and colleagues that you don’t get a chance to hang out with most of the rest of the year and reloading mumbles.com every 10 seconds to see if they gave you a good review or not.

2) What was your first Edinburgh show about?

My first Edinburgh show was in 2013 and it was called “Unplanned Orphan”. It was about me being told at the age of 30 that I had been adopted. The conceit was a ruse and played 100% straight in pre-Edinburgh interviews and Q&A’s. The actual show was about an idiot who was trying to win the main award by lying and attempting to do a moving and introspective Edinburgh show. The show fell apart within the first few minutes with the wrong slide show being uploaded, lights cutting out, begging for cash, a fire alarm going off and causing us to evacuate the venue and me getting my show times confused so when I’m delivering my final moving monologue a man dressed as a bear would interrupt and start “The Bear Show”, which was the next one in my venue. I had flyers made and distributed for an hour a day for the bear show, which didn’t exist. It was a lot of fun and cost me a bloody fortune.

3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?

Idiots and the sad.

4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?

I’ve always been quite lucky but once my housemate threw a large piece of ham out of the kitchen window and nearly killed a cat. True story, it was Carl Hutchinson. Prior to that, he’d been told off by the neighbour downstairs for decanting unwanted noodles out of the same window into the communal garden. He thinks he lives in Dickensian London the poor sod.

5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?

Going up in 2014 with Funz and Gamez and having a bloody whale of a time.

6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?

Non. They can all suck my balls!

7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?

Closure.

8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?

It’s probably this one. I’ve run out money and Liver.

BOOK TICKETS FOR PHIL ELLIS HAS BEEN ON ICE AND FUNZ AND GAMEZ: FLOGGING A DEAD HORZE AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2017