list.co.uk/festival list.co.uk/festival Daniel Duffy
Character Comedians | FESTIVAL COMEDY Character Comedians | FESTIVAL COMEDY
P H O T O
: J A M E S G R E A V E S
Gillian Beak This is a common theme among the comedians we talked to, some of whom have tried straight stand-up and realised it wasn’t for them. Rob Carter has an established character called Christopher Bliss, an author who pens three novels a day and is also the shell for an exploration into an incompetent person’s overconi dence. ‘I’ve done stand-up, musical comedy and storytelling,’ says Carter. ‘But I’ve always just found it easiest to have a character or a guitar in front of me, something that other people would say I was using to “hide behind”. But I don’t really see it like that; it’s just an easier way to express myself.’ Besides this, another running theme from our character comedians is silliness, surreality and, ultimately, fun. Carter certainly takes his Fringe character to another level, i nding joy in throwing himself entirely into Christopher Bliss by tending to Twitter and Facebook proi les dedicated to him, as well as having a mobile phone he uses throughout the Fringe on which members of the audience can call or text at any time. ‘I love the way a character develops around your Fringe show, and I love jumping into it. I love the idea that these characters are real, so I want people to think about Christopher outside of the show. With all the best characters, I think you imagine that they really do exist somewhere.’
Christopher Bliss
Al Murray: The Pub Landlord’s Saloon, Assembly George Square Gardens, 17–27 Aug, 6.15pm, £19.50. Colin Hoult / Anna Mann in How We Stop the Fascists, Pleasance Courtyard, 5–27 Aug (not 14), 4.45pm, £9–£11 (£8–£10). Previews 2–4 Aug, £6. Beak Speaks, Underbelly Cowgate, 5–27 Aug (not 14, 21), 4pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8.50–£9.50). Previews 3 & 4 Aug, £6.50.
Lee Nelson: Serious Joker, Pleasance Courtyard, 5–27 Aug (not 14–16), 9.20pm, £16.50–£17.50 (£14.50–£15.50). Previews 2–4 Aug, £14. Michael Stranney: Welcome to Ballybeg, Pleasance Courtyard, 5–25 Aug, 6pm, £7.50–£10 (£6.50–£9). Previews 2–4 Aug, £6. Christopher Bliss: Writing Wrongs, Voodoo Rooms, 5–27 Aug (not 14), 2.55pm, free.
3–10 Aug 2017 THE LIST FESTIVAL 45