A RICH COMIC LIFE PODCAST

EPISODE 98: BRENNAN REECE

In this episode, I talk to the wonderful comedian, BRENNAN REECE about his comedy career.

Reece is a working class, northern comedian who won became a comedian in 2010 and won the English Comedian of The Year in 2015.  His cheeky on-stage persona is extremely funny and very endearing.

I have watched Reece perform for The Return of The Craic online comedy club in 2021, the Edinburgh Comedy Allstars, and his brilliant solo show, Crowded, at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022 and for Always Be Comedy in London also in 2022.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Please read Brennan Reece’s blog at:

www.arichcomiclife.blog/2021/01/31/brennan-reece/

Brennan Reece’s Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brennan.reece/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/brennanreece

Instagram: www.instagram/brennanreece

Website: www.brennanreece.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 97: NICK KIRK

In this episode, I talk to the great comedian, Nick Kirk.

 

Kirk’s first gig was the inaugural Sofa SoFunny! online gig in December 2020. He became a consistent act when the showcase, created by his friend Leslie Gold, went live twice a month firstly at St Christopher’s pub, Liverpool Street and then Upstairs at The Flying Horse on Wilson Street.  Whether performing as himself or in character, Kirk is very clever and witty with his comedy.  His character Dave Steed, a fire inspector passing judgement on the venue clearly struggling divorce and bad life choices, is an inspired creation, regularly performed and popular with audiences.  Kirk deserves every success with his comic journey.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Please read Nick Kirk's blog at:

https://arichcomiclife.blog/2022/02/17/nick-kirk/

Nick Kirk Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nick.kirk.735

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thatbaldyfella/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thatbaldyfella/

Instagram: www.instragram.com/davesteedsafety/

 

EPISODE 96: CHRIS YOUNG & JAKE ALEXANDER (CO-DIRECTORS: HASTINGS COMEDY FESTIVAL)

In this episode, I chat to Chris Young & Jake Alexander – the Co-Directors of the Hastings Comedy Festival.

The Hastings Comedy Festival started in 2015.  Based on an idea by friends Young and Alexander, numerous live comedy events take place over five days every Summer.  Situated in the beautiful seaside area of Hastings and St Leonards, the festival proves more popular every year.  I have been in attendance the last few years and the festival is now a fixture in my comedy calendar. I have watched many comedians at the festival including Helen Bauer, Tony Law, Barry Fearns, Lily Phillips, Elliot Steel and President Obonjo.

The Hasting Comedy Festival 2023 takes place from Wednesday 14^th June to Sunday 18^th June, and I will be there for the full run.  See website below for further information and tickets.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Hastings Comedy Festival Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hastingscomedy/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Hastingscomedy

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hastingscomedyfestival/

Website: www.hastingscomedyfestival.com

 

 

 

EPISODE 95: MARK DUQUENO

In this episode, I chat to fellow comedy superfan, Mark Duqueno.

Over the years, Duqueno has seen almost as many, if not more comedians than me! In July 2022, he created the amazing podcast Comedy In A Nutshell, where, to quote, he ‘asks the big questions, What is comedy? Who is it, and why is it? To help me I’ve enlisted the help of comedians, performers, promoters, and fans, to discuss what comedy means to them, and to sum all their experience up in a nutshell.’ 

I have bumped into Duqueno many times at comedy nights and festivals where it is a pleasure to catch up and talk all things comedy.  In February 2023, we did a joint podcast A Rich Comic In Life In A Nutshell celebrating 30 years of The Leicester Comedy Festival:

www.arichcomiclife.blog/2023/02/24/episode-87-a-rich-comic-life-in-a-nutshell-from-leicester-comedy-festival/

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Mark Duqueno Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mark.duqueno/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecomedynerd

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecomedynerd/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/comedyinanutshell/

Comedy In A Nutshell Podcast:  Comedy in a Nutshell on Apple Podcasts

 

 

EPISODE 94: JOE BOR

In the second of two special episodes celebrating the 40th anniversary of Downstairs at The Kings Head comedy club, I talk to the brilliant comedian and film director, JOE BOR about his career.

Bor is an actor, writer, director, producer, editor, and stand-up comedian.  A brilliant character comedian who I have seen compere at the 99 Club in London’s Leicester Square in 2017, his films include the short film, Clown (2021) starring Seann Walsh and Shappi Korshandi, Ian Congnito: A Life And A Death On Stage (2022), and a film about the history of Downstairs at The Kings Head, The Oldest Comedy Club in Britain (2023). His new film Unstoppable Me is currently in production.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Please read Joe Bor’s blog at:

www.arichcomiclife.blog/2020/09/07/joe-bor/

Joe Bor Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/joe.bor.5

Twitter: www.twitter.com/josephbor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/joebor1/

Websites: www.joebor.co.uk; www.joeborfilms.com

 

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 93: PETER GRAHAME

In the first of two special episodes celebrating the 40th anniversary of Downstairs at The Kings Head comedy club, I talk to the wonderful owner of the club, PETER GRAHAME about his comedy career.

Downstairs at the Kings Head is one of the oldest comedy clubs in Britain.   Founded in 1981 by Grahame and Huw Thomas (who became the regular compere until his retirement), the intimate venue has never moved from the Kings Head pub, Crouch End in North London.  The 40th Anniversary gig which I attended took place in April 2023 (rescheduled after two years because of the pandemic).  With a bill featuring Al Murray, Phil Nichol, Nick Helm, Arthur Smith, Miles Jupp, Ria Lina, Laura Smyth, Shazia Mirza and back for one night only compere, Thomas, the anniversary night was filled with laughter and nostalgia. Walking into the club that evening, just as I had done for the first time thirty years ago, brought back many happy memories, including watching Harry Hill and Jeff Green both playing one of their earliest gigs there.  It was a pleasure chatting to the co-founder and promoter of this iconic comedy club.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Downstairs at The Kings Head Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DownstairsatKH/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/downstairskhead

Instagram: www.instagram.com/downstairskhead/

Website: www.downstairsatthekingshead.com

 

 

EPISODE 92: LESLIE GOLD

In this episode, I talk to the wonderful comedian LESLIE GOLD about her comedy career.

American Leslie Gold, based in London, is a wonderful no-nonsense stand-up comedian whose material discussing every-day life is direct and hilarious.  Since

Gold comperes and created Sofa SoFunny! comedy club, a comedy night for new and aspiring comedians (around ten per gig) with regular comic Nick Kirk, and a star-turn for a headliner.  Starting online in December 2020, Sofa SoFunny! live shows in London began in September 2021 and go from strength to strength every fortnight.

In 2022, I attended my first Sofa SoFunny! comedy showcase at its first home, St Christopher’s pub, London Bridge, and then I attended six more over time at the same venue, and at its current residence for a further five shows, upstairs at The Flying Horse, Wilson Street in London in 2022 and 2023.  I am now a regular guest at the brilliant comedy night.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Please read Leslie Gold’s blog at:

www.arichcomiclife.blog/2022/02/17/leslie-gold/

Leslie Gold’s Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LeslieGold

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/RealLeslieGold

Instagram: www.instagram.com/reallesliegold/

Sofa SoFunny! Links:

www.facebook.com/SofaSoFunny/

www.twitter.com/SofaSofunny

www.instagram.com/sofasofunny/

 

 

 

EPISODE 91: PETER MERRE

In this episode, I talk to the great comedian PETER MERRE about his comedy career.

 

Merre is based in London has been compering and performing stand-up comedy since 2016. His comedy is topical, razor sharp and extremely funny.  He has appeared on Sky TV’s Soccer AM, can be heard on TALKSPORT radio and is a writer for BBC Radio 4’s Newsjack.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Peter Merre’s Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/petermerre

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/topicalcomedian

Instagram: www.instagram.com/topicalcomedian/

EPISODE 90: ANIA MAGLIANO

In this episode, I talk to the fantastic comedian ANIA MAGLIANO about her comedy career.

Magliano is an Italian-Polish comedian based in London, who made the final of the Chortle Student Comedy Award in 2018 and the Funny Women Award in 2020.  On stage, she is an exceptionally confident, warm, and funny comedian, who is highly recommended.

I have seen Magliano perform both live and online at Always Be Comedy in 2021 and 2022.  I also saw her debut solo Edinburgh Fringe show, Absolutely No Worries If Not, in 2022.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Please read Ania Magliano’s blog at:

www.arichcomiclife.blog/2021/10/09/ania-magliano/

Ania Magliano’s Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/aniamaglianocomedy

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/AniaMags

Instagram: www.instagram.com/aniamagliano/

Website: www.aniamagliano.com

 

EPISODE 89: GEOFF ROWE (FOUNDER, LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL)

In this episode, I talk to the GEOFF ROWE, the founder of the Leicester Comedy Festival.

Rowe, and a group of student friends, set up the annual event in 1994, when they were studying Arts Management at Leicester’s De Montfort University. Every February since, the comedy festival has played host to a wealth of comedy performances attracting visitors from all over the country. In 2023, after celebrating the 30^th anniversary, Rowe has stepped down. and created an extraordinary legacy.  The event plans to continue in 2024 (from 7^th to 25^th February) and will carry on Rowe’s legacy. In 2023, Rowe was presented with the Outstanding Legend Award at the Leicester Comedy Festival Awards.  Over the years, the 19-day festival has grown to become one of the longest-running independent festivals in the UK.

I have been going to the Leicester Comedy Festival every year since 2020 and have seen amazing comedians including Arthur Smith, Alex Bennett, Flo & Joan, Sara Barron, Steve Bujega, Jarred Christmas, Marcus Brigstocke, Lloyd Griffith, Scott Bennett, Gary Jennision, Jed Salisbury, Vix Leyton, Rich Wilson, Garrett Millerick, Masai Graham, Kirsty Munro, Fred Ferenczi, Rob Rouse, Ian Stone, Darren Walsh, Sikisa, Josh Pugh, Lou Conran, Daniel Petrie, Aideen McQueen, Kevin O’Brien, Eddie Mullarkey, Eric Rushton, Jurgen Strack, Friz Frizzle, Edi Johnson, Steve Royle, Alisdair Beckett-King and Michelle Shaugnessy.

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast, if you like what you hear, please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the interview.

Please read Geoff Rowe’s blog at:

www.arichcomiclife.blog/2023/03/20/geoff-rowe/

Geoff Rowe’s Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/geoff.rowe.37

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/geoff_rowe

Instagram: www.instagram.com/geoff_rowebem/

Websites: www.comedy-festival.co.uk

www.ukkidscomedyfestival.co.uk