September Comedian of the Month #51, Robin Clyfan
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.
As one half of former double act Robin and Partridge (with fellow comic Charlie Partridge), Robin Clyfan has had his fair share of experience as a comedy performer, but only recently has he forayed into solo stand up. But he’s a natural and skilled story teller, so this transition doesn’t feel forced.
Listening to Clyfan talk to Cariad Lloyd on the GriefCast podcast, it’s hard not to be drawn in by Clyfan’s warm personality. And there are lots of aspects to this comedian’s background that are fascinating. For one, as the son of parents named Clive and Anne, the surname Clyfan (that he shares with his twin sister) is actually a compound of his parents’ forenames.
© Ollie Harrop
He brought his debut solo show, The Sea Is Big Enough To Take It to the Edinburgh Festival this August. As the child of an activist mother, who fought restrictive gender roles and sadly passed away quite recently, this show explores his relationship with his mother as a child and in later years.
He considers the difference between his own and his parents’ generations, and opens his audience up to his experiences of being raised by a politically charged feminist activist. And he speaks about his family with undeniable love and tenderness, in such a way that makes Clyfan a truly compelling performer to listen to.
For more information, follow Robin Clyfan on Twitter, or visit his website.