Russell Kane

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CAMBRIDGE COMEDY FESTIVAL SPECIAL

Russell Kane on pugs, controversy and hecklers PLUS

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Cambridge Summer Music Festival l Latitude l Keira Knightley

20 | July 10, 2014 | cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

Comedy

Cambridge Comedy Festival Cambridge Comedy Festival is back, and alongside its roster of new, up-and-coming stars frothing at the mouth with jokes, Russell Kane is headlining the Gala Show.

ELLA WALKER had a chat with him ahead of the event

And the JOSH WIDDICOMBE Devon-born comedian Widdicombe is a former Guardian sports reporter turned good natured funny man.

The XFM presenter, Mock the Week regular and new guy to front Radio 5Live’s Fighting Talk (announced this week), comes with plump cheeks, a deadpan stare and a curly mop he’s always running his hands through. At just 31-years-old he’s becoming quite a comedy scene

ᔡ Cambridge Comedy Festival Gala Show, Cambridge Corn Exchange, Friday, July 11 at 8.30pm. Tickets £15 from (01223) 357851 / cornex.co.uk

R

USSELL Kane’s Twitter bio says: “Dodged the bullies by making jokes,” and it certainly worked. The 33-year-old Enfield born stand-up has survived divorce, the bullies and a knack for controversy thanks to his talent for funny, and has most recently been touring with his one-man show, Smallness.

Headlining the Cambridge Comedy Festival’s legendary Gala Show, he’ll be supported

by Sarah Millican’s other half, master of the one-liner Gary Delaney, Funny Woman finalist Hayley Ellis and former Footlights member Phil Wang, all compered by Edinburgh Award winner Dave Johns.

You’re headlining the Cambridge Comedy Festival’s Gala Show – how does that feel?

I knew I’d make it to Cambridge one day. Who needs A-levels when you’ve got a jester’s hat? I’m buzzing!

You’re becoming a bit of a regular visitor, what do you like about Cambridge?

I love the clash of the student culture with the working culture. Makes my life easy!

What should people expect from your set?

High-energy observation and laughter till you have an

accident in your pants.

Why did you want to be a comedian?

I couldn’t stop arsing around at uni – I thought I should turn it into a career.

How did your first ever gig go?

With lots of Immodium.

How do you handle hecklers?

I carry on talking. Quickly.

You’ve caused the odd moment of controversy during your career (namely a joke about autistic children on Australian show Good News Week). Do you think it’s necessary for comedians to be controversial?

No. The only duty is to be funny.

Have you had any particularly disastrous moments on stage?

My trousers split at the crotch. My balls fell out.

Who always makes you laugh?

My pugs: constant comedians.

Which stand-ups do you particularly admire?

Laurel and Hardy. Three Stooges. Woody Allen and Eddie Murphy.

Are comedy panel shows fun or stressful?

Ooh, I love a bit of a panel.

Just bantering away is fine.

You’re great mates with Radio One DJ Greg James (the pair host their own BBC3 chat

Editor: Paul Kirkley Writer: Ella Walker Email: ella.walker@cambridge-news.co.uk

show, Britain Unzipped). Is he as lovely as he seems?

No. He’s actually a tyrant, and violently makes love to me before every show.

Do you have a career highlight so far?

That’s easy.

Winning The Edinburgh Comedy Award (formerly The Perrier in 2010).

You’ve written a book, a play, had several telly shows and won numerous comedy awards. If you could do anything, what would you like to do next?

Loop that list, repeat until I’m Ken Dodd. And movies.

I’d love to be in a movie.

For the full line-up and ticket details, visit cambridge comedyfestival.com.

Cambridge Comedy Festival runs from July 15-20

For breaking entertainment news for the city, visit cambridge-news.co.uk/whatson – plus follow @CamWhatsOn on Twitter

Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | July 10, 2014 | 21

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rest . . . Here are five other top acts not to miss: for conducting scathing celebrity interviews on Channel 4’s Popworld, before jumping ship to host

fixture with The Times noting: “Widdicombe has the sort of gentle confidence, low-key charisma and one-for-allthe-family charm which could see him selling out enormous stadiums in a couple of years.” Catch him before his ticket prices soar.

SIMON AMSTELL The rakish, razor sharp Amstell is best known

it and went stand-up solo (via his acclaimed TV show Grandma’s House). Awkward stories, that mop of hair and lots of cardigans; he’s ever so good live. Just don’t even try to heckle him, he’ll absolutely destroy you.

voice. His County Donegal accent lilts over swears, controversy and shoutiness, but he’s funny, especially if you’re not easily offended.

Praised for being utterly fearless, he’s Ireland’s biggest comedy export and is all about hilarious stories that’ll have you choking merrily, hence why he’s won the Perrier Comedy Award.

Also, if you didn’t already know, he was in Father Ted! There’s some comedy credentials for you.

ROMESH RANGANATHAN

Nevermind the Buzzcocks where hs knack for riling people up to hilarious effect was firmly established (Ordinary Boys’ frontman and walkout Preston can promise you that). After batting jokes and putdowns for several series he braved

TOMMY TIERNAN Beardy, three-piece suit wearing Tiernan has the best

Rom Wasn’t Built in a Day We’re told: “Romesh Ranganathan is an inadequate human being.

He is trying to improve himself. He is reading self-help books, watching documentaries and delivering witty repartee at parties. Come see the results for yourself.” He’s basically the next big

architecture at Anglia Ruskin University before opting for a career in comedy full time (apparently his parents weren’t too chuffed – he even wrote a Radio 4 programme about it). He’s previously won the Chortle Student Comedian of the Year award and approves of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And that is as good a reason as any to go check him out. thing. The former maths teacher was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2013 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, is a regular on Stand Up for the Week and has bagged spots on Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Russell Howard’s Good News. He’s dead funny.

NATHAN CATON Hammersmith born Caton actually trained in