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Russell Kaneon pugs,

controversyand hecklers

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CAMBRIDGE COMEDYFESTIVAL SPECIAL

PLUS

Cambridge Summer Music Festival l Latitude l Keira Knightley

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

CambridgeComedyFestival

RUSSELL Kane’s Twitterbio says: “Dodged thebullies by making jokes,”

and it certainly worked. The33-year-old Enfield bornstand-up has survived divorce,the bullies and a knack forcontroversy thanks to histalent for funny, and has mostrecently been touring with hisone-man show, Smallness.

Headlining the CambridgeComedy Festival’s legendaryGala Show, he’ll be supportedby Sarah Millican’s otherhalf, master of the one-linerGary Delaney, Funny Womanfinalist Hayley Ellis and formerFootlights member Phil Wang,all compered by EdinburghAward winner Dave Johns.You’re headlining theCambridge Comedy Festival’sGala Show – how does thatfeel?

I knew I’d make it toCambridge one day. Who needsA-levels when you’ve got ajester’s hat? I’m buzzing!You’re becoming a bit of aregular visitor, what do youlike about Cambridge?

I love the clash of the studentculture with the workingculture. Makes my life easy!What should people expectfrom your set?

High-energy observationand laughter till you have an

accident in your pants.Why did you want to be acomedian?

I couldn’t stop arsing aroundat uni – I thought I should turnit 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 oddmoment of controversyduring your career (namely ajoke about autistic childrenon Australian show GoodNews Week). Do you think it’snecessary for comedians to becontroversial?

No. The only duty is to befunny.Have you had any particularlydisastrous moments on stage?

My trousers split at thecrotch. My balls fell out.Who always makes you laugh?

My pugs: constantcomedians.Which stand-ups do youparticularly admire?

Laurel and Hardy. ThreeStooges. Woody Allen andEddie Murphy.Are comedy panel shows funor stressful?

Ooh, I love a bit of a panel.Just bantering away is fine.You’re great mates with RadioOne DJ Greg James (the pairhost their own BBC3 chat

show, BritainUnzipped). Is heas lovely as heseems?

No. He’s actuallya tyrant, and violentlymakes love to me beforeevery show.Do you have a careerhighlight so far?

That’s easy.Winning TheEdinburgh ComedyAward (formerlyThe Perrier in2010).You’ve writtena book, a play,had several tellyshows and wonnumerouscomedyawards. Ifyou could doanything,what wouldyou like todo next?

Loopthat list,repeat untilI’m KenDodd. Andmovies.I’d love tobe in amovie.

Comedy

Cambridge Comedy Festivalis back, and alongside itsroster of new, up-and-comingstars frothing at the mouthwith jokes, Russell Kane isheadlining the Gala Show.ELLA WALKER had a chatwith him ahead of the event

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

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

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

And theJOSH WIDDICOMBE

Devon-born comedianWiddicombe is aformer Guardian sportsreporter turned goodnatured funny man.The XFM presenter,Mock the Weekregular and newguy to front Radio5Live’s FightingTalk (announcedthis week), comeswith plump cheeks,a deadpan stare anda curly mop he’salways running hishands through. Atjust 31-years-old he’s

becoming quite acomedy

scene

For the full line-upand ticket details,visit cambridge

comedyfestival.com.Cambridge ComedyFestival runs from

July 15-20

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

rest . . . Here are five other top acts not to miss:

fixture with The Timesnoting: “Widdicombehas the sort of gentleconfidence, low-keycharisma and one-for-all-the-family charm whichcould see him selling outenormous stadiums in acouple of years.” Catch himbefore his ticket prices soar.

SIMON AMSTELL

The rakish, razor sharpAmstell is best known

for conducting scathingcelebrity interviews onChannel 4’s Popworld,before jumping ship to host

Nevermind the Buzzcockswhere hs knack for rilingpeople up to hilarious effectwas firmly established(Ordinary Boys’ frontmanand walkout Preston canpromise you that). Afterbatting jokes and putdownsfor several series he braved

it and went stand-up solo(via his acclaimed TV showGrandma’s House). Awkwardstories, that mop of hairand lots of cardigans; he’sever so good live. Just don’teven try to heckle him, he’llabsolutely destroy you.

TOMMY TIERNAN

Beardy, three-piece suitwearing Tiernan has the best

voice. His County Donegalaccent lilts over swears,controversy and shoutiness,but he’s funny, especially ifyou’re not easily offended.Praised for being utterlyfearless, he’s Ireland’sbiggest comedy export andis all about hilarious storiesthat’ll have you chokingmerrily, hence why he’s wonthe Perrier Comedy Award.Also, if you didn’t alreadyknow, he was in FatherTed! There’s some comedycredentials for you.

ROMESH RANGANATHAN

Rom Wasn’t Built in a DayWe’re told: “RomeshRanganathan is aninadequate human being.He is trying to improvehimself. He is readingself-help books, watchingdocumentaries anddelivering witty reparteeat parties. Come see theresults for yourself.” He’sbasically the next big

thing. The former mathsteacher was nominatedfor Best Newcomer at the2013 Edinburgh ComedyAwards, is a regular onStand Up for the Week andhas bagged spots on Mockthe Week, Live at the Apolloand Russell Howard’s GoodNews. He’s dead funny.

NATHAN CATON

Hammersmith bornCaton actually trained in

architecture at Anglia RuskinUniversity before optingfor a career in comedyfull time (apparently hisparents weren’t too chuffed– he even wrote a Radio 4programme about it). He’spreviously won the ChortleStudent Comedian of theYear award and approves ofthe Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles. And that is as gooda reason as any to go checkhim out.

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