Ray takes us behind-the-scenes of the comedy industry, discussing his role as a Talent Manager and Producer with UTC Group. In this imnterview recorded in July 2024, he talks about his own, winding route into the industry, how he works with comedians to develop both their material and diverse careers, and the importance of being patient and persistent. He gives valuable insight into some of the current challenges affecting the comedy industry. Ray offers useful advice for comedians who are just starting out, and for all comedians who are thinking about signing with an agent.

Instagram: @ray_bohm

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Slim offers wisdom gleaned from over 30 years in comedy, from 1993-present. A hero of the Black comedy circuit, he reflects on the similarities and differences between the Black circuit and the mainstream, and why the wealth of talent on the Black circuit has not been more visible on mainstream comedy platforms. He talks about making comedy for audiences who do and don’t share your experience; how the comedy circuit has evolved over time, taking a long view on the nature of ‘offense’ and what you ‘can’ and ‘can’t’ do; comedy as a workplace, and his own approach to engaging with the industry.

Instagram: @slimcomedian

X: @SLIMcomedian

Website: https://utcgroup.co.uk/talent/slim#:~:text=Slim%20is%20one%20of%20the,thousands%20all%20over%20the%20world.

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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:

www.elflyons.com

https://twitter.com/elf_lyons

https://www.instagram.com/elflyons/

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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)

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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:

www.tanyaleedavis.com 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVA1FmwAM_0 

https://twitter.com/TanyaleeDavis

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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:

www.kaisamra.com

https://twitter.com/kaisamra

https://www.tiktok.com/@kaisamra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsDULPDO6xQ

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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

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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://charmianhughes.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/charmian.hughes

https://www.instagram.com/charmianhughescomic/

https://twitter.com/charmianhughes

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