The Stand-up Diversity Podcast celebrates diverse performers in comedy, past and present. Each episode features a long-form interview with an individual comedian in which they discuss their craft, their unique contribution to the stand-up scene and the joys and challenges of their comedy careers. Produced as part of a research project at the University of Kent, the podcast documents the contribution that diverse people have made to British stand-up comedy, and looks at what still needs to be done to recognise and promote diversity in the comedy industry.
Hosted by Dr Oliver Double and Dr Sophie Quirk, with support from Research England’s Participatory and Co-produced Research Fund.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Stand-up Diversity Podcast celebrates diverse performers in comedy, past and present. Each episode features a long-form interview with an individual comedian in which they discuss their craft, their unique contribution to the stand-up scene and the joys and challenges of their comedy careers. Produced as part of a research project at the University of Kent, the podcast documents the contribution that diverse people have made to British stand-up comedy, and looks at what still needs to be done to recognise and promote diversity in the comedy industry.
Hosted by Dr Oliver Double and Dr Sophie Quirk, with support from Research England’s Participatory and Co-produced Research Fund.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Elf shares her unique approach to making ‘comedy spectacles on a budget’. She explores the development of her career from 2008 - present, including: subverting expectations; the importance of knowing what the audience see; the benefits and accessibility of performer training; marketing of identity and representation; the importance of active involvement in your own industry.
Content warnings: mention of rape from 11:25 – 11:50; discussion of a routine referencing sexual assault and the sexualisation of children from 31:20 – 34:00.
More Elf Lyons at:
https://www.instagram.com/elflyons/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bernard beguiles us with his experience as surrealist stand-up in the 1980s and 1990s. He covers a varied career, from his first stand-up gig to creating the exceptional Binky and Boo, his involvement in Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, and crossing paths with Alan Bennett and Doctor Who. He discusses: the value of relying on material over labels; changes in attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community from the 1980s onwards; his absurdist and unconscious influences.
More Bernard Padden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ7nhOzuwvI (Binky and Boo, animated adaptation of a Bernard Padden routine)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79_7iScDv3k (Bernard Padden routine adapted for Channel 4’s One in Five)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tanyalee shares her experience of performing on both sides of the Atlantic, from the 1990s - the present. She talks about stand-up as medium to celebrate her wonderful life before elaborating on: using comedy as inspiration; the impact a comedy career has on home life; the extra labour required to combat disability discrimination and disorganisation; the UK’s aversion to discussing disability; the importance of being ‘unstoppable me’.
More Tanyalee Davis at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVA1FmwAM_0
https://twitter.com/TanyaleeDavis
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kai kicks off with the making and impact of his 2019 debut show Underclass before discussing: the benefits and risks of including material about his own story and his family in his comedy; the advantages, alternatives and viability of taking a show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; the importance of industry professionals helping and mentoring newer acts; bias and nepotism; performing as a working-class comedian of colour; why more comedians should turn their political zeal upon their own industry.
More Kai Samra at:
https://www.tiktok.com/@kaisamra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsDULPDO6xQ
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ray discusses his experience of performing political stand-up comedy. He explains why the politics of the 1980s circuit disappointed him before delving into: acknowledgement of racist/sexist ignorance of comedians performing around him; the importance of not ‘performing black’; attempts of promoters to shoehorn distinctive acts into stereotyped categories; the importance of not ‘playing the game’; differences between performing in Newcastle and London; his influences; practical suggestions to improve diversity within stand-up comedy.
Content warning: from 24:50-30.00 conversation includes explicit examples of racism/ sexism.
More Ray Campbell at:
https://twitter.com/RayCampbell19
https://twitter.com/buddy_hell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-campbell-b271532a/
Look out for Ray’s forthcoming book, A Cultural History of British Alternative Cabaret (1979-1991). Available to pre-order at:
https://www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10.3828/9781837645107
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charmian gives us glimpses of her career, starting from her entrance into stand-up in the 1980s and charting the evolution of her act up to the present day. She discusses: how she found stand-up through clowning; persona; costume; managing stand up and being a mother; ageism; cancel culture not existing; her influences; how to improve diversity within stand-up comedy. She offers reasonable, accessible suggestions and advice for individuals and the industry at large.
More Charmian Hughes at:
https://www.facebook.com/charmian.hughes
https://www.instagram.com/charmianhughescomic/
https://twitter.com/charmianhughes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
