Paul G Raymond is one half of sketch duo, In Cahoots. Their debut show was a word of mouth hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year. Now in 2014, Paul and his partner, Luke Manning are back In Cahoots: Some Like It Hoots. Martin Walker talks to Paul via email.
Most of my material is just going too far with an idea. I don’t like to mess around with comedy clichés like wordplay or jokes, I just want to push an audience to its limits.
“It’s an hour of sketches, characters, honed buffoonery, and stylised set pieces.”
Why did you choose to perform as part of Freestival?
“Freestival is the new kid on the block, and we wanted to be part of that. It’s great doing a free show in Edinburgh as audiences really appreciate finding something that’s both a bit good and a bit unknown, and we at least fit into the latter category...”
For you, is Comedy a career choice or
a calling – and why?
“A career choice. A lot of sketch comics I know make a lot of money, so I thought I’d get in while the going’s good.”
Have you ever gone too far? What
happened?
“Most of my material is just going too far with an idea. I don’t like to mess around
with comedy clichés like wordplay or jokes, I just want to push an audience
to its limits. Luckily, the more gag-inclined and audience-empathetic –
cowardly - Luke balances out this dynamic in our show and we’ve ended up with
quite enjoyable sketches.”
If you were curating a stand up show
for television, who would be your guests?
“Bernard Manning.
“After Bernard’s brilliant set we’d just chat and have a laugh on the couch and
put the world to rights. Then we’d air some pre-filmed sketches that we just
had a brilliant laugh making, and probably leave half the bits where we cracked
up halfway through filming in! Then Bernard would introduce my favourite sketch
acts: Key and Peele, Mr Show, and The League of Gentlemen. Bernard would guest in some of their sketches
and be amazing, he’d change some of the lines but he’s just a laugh like that,
a proper comedian.”
Broadway Baby Listing and Edinburgh Fringe Box Office: http://www.broadwaybaby.com/shows/in-cahoots-some-like-it-hoots/702321
Website: www.incahootscomedy.com
Twitter: @InCahoots
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/incahootscomedy
YouTube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUfijBg-ibw
Short Film - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3p2lczAaRs
