Sophie is a hurricane of comedy in action. Possessed of a singular voice, she focuses her wit on genuinely important subject matter, including the cuts to social and mental health care services.  We talk about obtaining government funding for her comedy tours, the "politics of politeness", and what happens after the conversation about class in comedy...   Hear extra material from this conversation with Sophie, as well as extras from Russell Howard, James Acaster and more, plus a load of other interactive comedy projects... Support the show by becoming a member of the "Insiders Club" at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders   See Sophie on tour nationally and at the Soho Theatre this June, details via www.sophiewillan.com   @SophieWillan @ComComPod   See Stu on tour over the next two months, including a DVD record of the tour show on June 14th in Bristol:  

30/05/2018 Aldershot, West End Centre

01/06/2018 Sheffield, The Lescar

02/06/2018 York, The Basement

03/06/2018 Newcastle – The Stand

04/06/2018 Leeds, Duke Studios

08/06/2018 Southampton, Hanger Farm

09/06/2018 Cambridge Junction

12/06/2018 Edinburgh, The Monkey Barrel

13/06/2018 Glasgow, The Stand

14/06/2018 DVD RECORD IN BRISTOL 

15/06/2018 Birmingham Glee

17/06/2018 Brighton Komedia

21-23 June London, Soho Theatre

29/06/2018 Tringe Festival

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Argument, Audiences, BBC, Bridget Christie, Caroline Aherne, Character, Clown, College, Comedy, Edinburgh, Equality, Fear, Feminism, Festival, Fringe, Gender, Improv, Inspiration, Interview, Jobs, Mental Health, Persona, Physical Comedy, Risk, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stereotypes, Stewart Lee, Storytelling, Street-Performing, Structure, Success, Surreal, Touring Comedian, Worth, Writing, Writing On Stage

Considering oneself "an artist who works in the field of comedy" is the starting point for a fascinating re-framing of the whole goddamn thing, in this conversation with the wonderfully funny, curious, and extraordinarily inventive Ben Target. We discover a shared inspiration in an Argentinian circus, explore Ben's holistic approach to theatre-in-the-round, and find out why minor authority figures are inherently funny...

See Ben's Edinburgh Fringe show 'Splosh'

@comcompod

Don't forget to support the show and join the members-only podcast stuffed with extra content and experimental projects

23/05/2018 Swindon Arts Centre

26/05/2018 Farnham Maltings

30/05/2018 Aldershot, West End Centre

01/06/2018 Sheffield, The Lescar

02/06/2018 York, The Basement

03/06/2018 Newcastle – The Stand

04/06/2018 Leeds, Duke Studios

08/06/2018 Southampton, Hanger Farm

09/06/2018 Cambridge Junction

12/06/2018 Edinburgh, The Monkey Barrel

13/06/2018 Glasgow, The Stand

15/06/2018 Birmingham Glee

17/06/2018 Brighton Komedia

21-23 June London, Soho Theatre

29/06/2018 Tringe Festival

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Age, Audiences, Awards, Character, Clown, Comedy, Depression, Drama School, Ed Gamble, Eddie Izzard, Edinburgh, Festival, Festival Comedian, Fringe, Fuerza Bruta, Improv, Interview, Isolation, Jobs, Johnny Vegas, Leicester Comedy Festival, Liam Williams, Mental Health, Nick Helm, Nish Kumar, Open Mic, Pappy’s, Simon Munnery, Sketch, Spencer Jones, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stereotypes, Street-Performing, Structure, Success, Surreal, The Herbert, Tony Law, Worth, Writing, Zach Galifianakis

Her laid-back style masking a sly wit that rewards your full attention, Beth Stelling is an indomitable comic force. Live at SXSW, we discuss risk and reward with regard to pace, bridging alt and mainstream, "putting your briefcase away" when it comes to your set-list, and why she'll never make another bagel sandwich...

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Age, Alternative Comedy, Audiences, College, Comedy, Comedy Central, Dark Humour, Diversity, Edgy, Equality, Fame, Fear, Feminism, First Open Spot, Gender, Inspiration, Interview, Jim Carrey, Jobs, Live, Mainstream, Mental Health, Netflix, Open Mic, Persona, Plagiarism, Reviews, Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Success, SXSW, TV, TV Comedy, Twitter, USA, Worth, Writing, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage, YouTube

It's hard to imagine a more expressive, searingly honest and comprehensively funny comic than Maria Bamford.  After a year which saw her series and new special on Netflix propel her finally to the earning that befits her talent, Maria reflects on how money, property and prestige don't solve anything, what it's like to be an ex-underdog, and whether it's possible to make a not for profit TV show. We also cover the relationship between her bipolar and her day to day happiness, and ask how you function when "weakness is the brand"...  

@MariaBamfoo
mariabamford.com  

See Stu on tour: www.comedianscomedian.com/tour

Support the podcast: www.comedianscomedian.com/donate

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Age, Audiences, Comedy, Depression, Directing, Edinburgh, Ego, Equality, Fame, Fear, Festival Comedian, Fringe, How To, Inspiration, Interview, Isolation, Jobs, Lady Dynamite, Leicester Square Theatre, Mainstream, Mental Health, Money, Netflix, Old Baby, Persona, Problems, Reviews, Risk, Seinfeld, SNL, Soho Theatre, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Storytelling, Structure, Success, Touring Comedian, TV, TV Comedy, USA, Worth, Writing, Writing Jokes, Writing On Stage

Celebrating the release of hilarious and terrifying new movie "Ghost Stories", co-creators Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson talk to Stu about the myriad connections between comedy and horror... Now known primarily for his acting work, Andy was once the silent partner of genre-redefining magician Derren Brown. We talk in detail about misdirection, rhythm and dramatic tension, share Andy's indignation at copycat performers, and find out whether it's cooler to be Bernie than Elton...

 

See Stu on tour: www.comedianscomedian.com/tour
Support the podcast: www.comedianscomedian.com/donate  

Ghost Stories is out this week at UK cinemas!

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Andy Nyman, Audiences, Comedy, Derren Brown, Directing, Fame, Ghost Stories, Inspiration, Jeremy Dyson, Jobs, London, Magician, Mainstream, Mental Health, Money, Persona, Plagiarism, Risk, School, Seinfeld, Stereotypes, Storytelling, Street-Performing, Structure, Success, TV, Twitter, Worth, Writing

Colin's sublime creation "Anna Mann" is a faded actress (little ripple of recognition?) on a mission to fight the fascists! But she is only the tip of phenomenally creative and hilarious iceberg of talent. We shine a light on the darkness of his "Carnival of Monsters", and discuss surviving depression, moving on from a double-act, and get some unbelievable detail on how he "invites Anna in"...

See Anna on tour at www.colinhoult.net/tour

And discover Anna's new podcast by following @ColinHoult on Twitter!

See Stu's tour: www.comedianscomedian.com/tour

Support the podcast: www.comedianscomedian.com/donate

Submit your own original comedy material to "Everyone's A Comedian" at comedianscomedian.com/experiment - check the site for more details!

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Acting, Actor, Alternative Comedy, Audiences, BBC, Character, College, Comedy, Depression, Double Act, Drag, Drama School, Drinking, Edinburgh, Festival, Festival Comedian, First Open Spot, Free Fringe, Fringe, Heckles, Inspiration, Interview, Isolation, Jobs, League of Gentlemen, Lenny Henry, Little Britain, Mainstream, Mental Health, Money, Onstage Persona, Persona, Radio, Radio 4, Reviews, Risk, Russell Howard's Good News, Sketch, Soho Theatre, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stereotypes, Structure, Success, The Pleasance, The Royal Variety Performance, TV, Up The Creek, Viral, Worth, Writing, Writing Jokes, YouTube

Jess "Mighty Voice" Robinson is a phenomenal vocalist and impressionist, who has her audiences in tears of bliss as well as laughter.  We talk about her experience on "Britain's Got Talent" when she was "outed" by press as a seasoned professional, and learn how to survive stage school. Finally Jess overcomes her desire to please, and very honestly and painfully reveals why a standing ovation never seems "enough"...
 
www.jessrobinson.co.uk
 
@JessieRobinson
 
https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2017/jess_robinson
 
See Stu on tour www.comedianscomedian.com/tour
 
Support the podcast www.comedianscomedian.com/donate

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Audiences, Character, College, Comedy, Dead Ringers, Drama School, Edinburgh, Festival, Festival Comedian, Fringe, Interview, john robins, Mainstream, Mental Health, Musical Comedy, Observational Comedy, Parody, Reality TV, Reviews, Sara Pascoe, Success, TV, Worth, YouTube

Recorded at the close of the Edinburgh festival, this toweringly-charismatic lay-preacher of comedy is astonishingly candid in his reflection on the past few years. We get deep into some very personal stuff, as Reg reveals how his struggle to grieve for his late mother led to a years-long dark period. We learn what steps he took personally and creatively to recover; discover what bugs Reg about himself; and ask some difficult questions about his attitude towards women.

Get ad-free new episodes, bonus content from interviews and much more by joining the Insiders Club at www.comedianscomedian.com/insiders

Affected by the post-ramble? Have a look at these things men can do to change our work and life culture: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/oct/16/a-simple-list-of-things-men-can-do-to-change-our-work-and-life-culture

@comcompod | www.comedianscomedian.com

LISTEN HERE

Filed Under: Argument, Audiences, Comedy, Controversial, Criticism, Depression, Diversity, Edinburgh, Fame, Feminism, Festival, Fringe, Heckles, Interview, Mental Health, Persona, Stage Persona, Stand Up, Stereotypes, Success, TV, Writing