Comedian, singer, musician and key member of improvisational powerhouse "Austentatious", Rachel Parris revels in undercutting her nice girl image with some tough material.  We talk about how audiences listen differently to talking and singing; how to survive the sinking feeling of a tough festival; and her experience spinning a chat with the Samaritans into comedy gold...

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You can email Samaritans at any time – jo@samaritans.org

Whatever you're going through, call Samaritans free any time, from any phone in the UK on 116 123.

Samaritans are all volunteers, all there round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it's best to call on the phone. The number is FREE to call. You don't have to be suicidal to call.

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Filed Under: Audiences, Austentatious, Character, Compere/MC/Hosting, Improv, rachel parris

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Softly spoken and absolutely committed to the truth, Chris Gethard took Edinburgh by storm with a searingly honest and blackly funny show about depression and attempted suicide. We talk about creativity and catharsis, his superb blogs, and whether or not performing is therapy…

See Gethard live www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/chris-gethard-career-suicide-2017

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Filed Under: Acting, Alternative Comedy, Audiences, Canada, Character, Chris Gethard, Comedy Central, Depression, Edinburgh, Ego, Fame, Feminism, Festival Comedian, Gender, Improv, Mainstream, Open Mic, Reviews, Sketch, Storytelling, Success, TV, YouTube

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A lot has changed since Old Tone’s last appearance on the podcast. He’s clean, sober and re-launching, but no less of a uniquely hilarious act. We talk about how he’s trying to extract value from everything in his life, and look back on how, like Obelix, he fell into the potion…

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Filed Under: Age, Alcohol, Audiences, Criticism, Dark Humour, Depression, Edinburgh, Fame, Fear, Improv, Mental Health, Stage Persona, Storytelling, Success, TV

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Erudite stand-up, amazingly elastic improviser, and Goldsmith facial-resembler, John Robins is hitting his stride. We talk about the difficulties of changing gear mid-career, treating writing shows like writing essays, and being driven by shame.

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Filed Under: Character, Criticism, Double Act, Edinburgh, Improv, Interview, Isolation, London, Mock The Week, Podcasting, Risk, Success

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At the top of his game, stand-up Bill Burr is conquering the planet with an extraordinary creative ferocity. He delights in unsettling audiences by saying the un-sayable, before justifying his comic position with inspiring verve. We learn the tricks he uses to break out of routine onstage, explode the myth of finding one’s voice, and also have a really invigorating argument about privilege…

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Filed Under: Audiences, Beginners, Controversial, Criticism, Edinburgh, Ego, Fame, Feminism, Festival Comedian, Gender, Heckles, Improv, Inspiration, Money, Open Mic, Persona, Reviews, Stage Persona, Storytelling, Structure, Success, Touring Comedian, USA, Writing On Stage

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There’s dry, and then there’s Todd Barry. On his “Crowdwork” tour, Todd’s skill in low-energy one-liners allows him to spin unexpected angles into truly original audience interaction. We discuss writing habits, beating ideas to death onstage, and how it feels to play two different fictionalised versions of himself simultaneously…

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Filed Under: Alternative Comedy, Audiences, Beginners, Canada, Criticism, Edinburgh, First Open Spot, Improv, Inspiration, Louis CK, Mainstream, New York, One Liners, Persona, Reviews, Seinfeld, Soho Theatre, Structure, Success, Writing On Stage

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Brilliant British-Nigerian comic Funmbi shares a fascinating take on his transition from the urban circuit to the mainstream, and his reasoning behind the move. We also explore the dynamic between hype, substance and longevity, and get schooled on the inner mechanisms of the cussing battles which he mastered as a child…

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Filed Under: African, Amateur, Amused Moose, Audiences, Beginners, Chris Rock, College, Comedy Store, Def Comedy Jam, Def Jam, Double Act, Drama School, Eddie Murphy, Edinburgh, Ghanaian, Improv, Jack Whitehall, Jamaican, Jobs, London, Mainstream, Money, Nigerian, One Liners, Paul Chowdhry, Persona, Prince Abdhi, School, Seinfeld, Soho Theatre, Stereotypes, Success, Tim Key, Top Secret, Urban Circuit

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Star of “Good News” and “Stand-up Central” as well as a former “Mock the Week” team captain, Russell Howard is also one of the UK’s most electrifying live performers. In this unusually candid interview, he exposes the unique pressures of fronting your own TV show, uncovers whether his success has made him happy, and we find out what you say to yourself after walking offstage at Wembley Arena…

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Filed Under: Arena Comedy, Awards, BBC3, Comedy Central, Competitions, Criticism, Edinburgh, Fear, First Open Spot, Improv, Inspiration, Jimmy Carr, John Oliver, Jon Richardson, Josie Long, Just For Laughs, Kerry Godliman, Late And Live, Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Observational Comedy, One Liners, Russell Howard's Good News, School, So You Think You’re Funny, Stand Up Central

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