Ever wanted to get inside the mind of a comedian? Stuart Goldsmith puts on his interviewer hat in this live version of the critically acclaimed comedy podcast which, as he explains at the start, is not a comedy show but a show about comedy.
Each show invites a different performer to share their thoughts and experience from the comedy circuit. Stuart picks their brains and probes their mind on all things related to their career and the industry as a whole.
We were privileged enough to have industry veteran David Baddiel as the nominated guest, who is back at the Fringe after a fifteen year hiatus. The theme of the hour was fame and how the version of oneself can change when seen from the public eye. I thought this was a particularly interesting topic.
Having gone through the fame wringer himself, Baddiel had plenty of witty and insightful thoughts to discuss. I found him to be an extremely candid and compelling storyteller; Baddiel very easy to listen to and took every question thrown at him in his stride.
We learn about a plethora of things – his career thus far and his plans for the future, his struggles with self-censorship, the joys of performing, and beyond. No stone is left unturned – Baddiel was incredibly open about the good, the bad and the ugly of fame.
I thought Goldsmith was a great host; he was well prepared and maintained the momentum of the show throughout. All his questions were structured to spark further discussion and move the conversation along. Even when the tables turned and Baddiel started asking him questions, he was able to smoothly steer the dialogue back on track.
The Comedian’s Comedian Live is a brilliant concept; it is a great opportunity to get an insider’s behind-the-scenes look into the industry. The show is thought-provoking, riveting and entertaining – a must-see for all stand up comedy fans.
