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Mock the Week star Ed
Byrne Interview
Interview by Veronica Lee and photo
by Roslyn Gaunt
UK TV personality and Mock the Week
star, Ed
Byrne is an established touring
favourite, and despite his youthful looks the Irishman recently marked up 20
years as a comic. His latest show of observational comedy, Outside, Looking
In, covers a wide range of subjects; from a recent gastric illness to the
success of UKIP; but he talks a lot about his family and it's his most
personal yet.
"I didn't make a conscious effort to write a more personal show, but that
was what was coming out when I started writing it," Ed says.
"People come to see me for a laugh and I would like to think they go away
thinking the show is quite heartwarming. A lot of comics may talk about the
same stuff, but what makes it mine is that what I'm saying is what I
genuinely think on this subject, and I try to make it as funny as I can. I
think we all mine our lives to some degree or other."
Ed is adamant that he will keep his two young sons out of the celebrity
spotlight, so don't expect an "At Home With Ed Byrne and Family"
in OK! any time soon. But in Outside, Looking In, he shows a picture of
one of his sons; the denouement of a bittersweet story about buying new
shoes; which not only illustrates it perfectly, but produces an
"Aaaah" moment. "I'm aware that they haven't given me
permission to talk about them and that there will come a point when I
can't," Ed says. "John Bishop, for example, has stopped
talking about his [much older] children
on stage because people know who they are. I talk about them
in pretty abstract terms, because what I'm discussing is the act of
parenting, and you can't talk about that without mentioning your own
children. And there isn't anything in this show that would make them at a
later date say, 'I don't like this'."
But while there is a lot of personal reflection in his new show, Ed also
ponders on matters political; the story about his son sparks a passionate
section about how we label young children, for instance, and he also talks
about feminism and transgenderism.
I ask Ed if dipping a toe into the transgender debate (for which some have
been vilified on social media) isn't a little risky. "It has become
such a big subject because of Caitlyn Jenner [the former athlete Bruce
Jenner, who transitioned earlier this year] and some Twitter trolls were
refusing to acknowledge her as anything but Bruce. I thought it was
interesting that it stills divides people. I call it the thorniest issue
since Jesus was fitted for a hat."
The feminist slant to the new show was sparked by Ed's reflections on his
early days in comedy and, strikingly, he admits to being a little
uncomfortable about some of his more laddish material back then. "My
comedy reflected my life at that time; single and enjoying myself; and most
of it was fairly harmless 'the difference between men and women' kind of
thing. But some of the stuff about an ex-girlfriend I can see was a bit
angry and I wouldn't do it now."
He says he is more aware of how men and women interact in the modern world
and is sometimes surprised by the difference in his reactions to things as a
man in his forties to when he was twentysomething. "I started watching Californication [the US dark comedy starring David
Duchovny as a sex addict] but I found it insulting because I'm
expected to empathise with him. His character behaves so unconscionably that
I couldn't watch the 2nd series. I don't how much of
that is simply getting older, or that times have changed, or mixing with a
broader group of people. Interestingly I find Twitter can expand your
horizons; I've started following all sorts of people on it and it's good to
get a different take on things."
I ask Ed, 43, if he still likes touring after 2 decades. "Apart from
the travel involved, which no comic likes, I love it, because you have
people responding to something that you have written alone in your office,
and the work comes alive in a room of people. I like the television things I
do, but nothing can beat a live comedy audience."
In any spare time he has, Ed is a hill walker; when in Scotland he
"bags" Munros (peaks above 3,000ft, he's at 75) and the completist,
slightly geeky side side of him, he admits, means that elsewhere in the
British Isles he also collects "county tops" - the highest
point in the county. "I've downloaded an app for them," he
says with a laugh.. "and have started making a list of those I've
done."
He's currently writing a sitcom set in an outdoors shop, and I ask if he
plans to introduce his sons to the pleasures of outdoors. "My wife,
Claire, and I already have. So far they love it, camping and canoeing, that
sort of thing. As they're growing it's hard to be apart from them when I'm
on tour, and I try not to be away for more than a couple of days at a time,
but one of the great things about my job is that it means I can spend a lot
of time with them when I'm home."
He will be performing on Merseyside on the following dates:-
► Friday, 11
March 2016, he will be in WARRINGTON,
at the Parr Hall, to book tickets call:- 01925 442345.
► Saturday, 12
March 2016, he will be in LIVERPOOL,
at the The Auditorium, to book tickets call:- 0844 8000 400.
► On Friday, 22
April 2016, he will be in SOUTHPORT,
at the Atkinson, to book tickets call:-
01704 533333.
33 people arrested in connection to
disorder in Liverpool City Centre
MERSEYSIDE Police can confirm a number of people have
been arrested following of a period of disorder in Liverpool City Centre, on
Saturday, 27 February 2016. A Policing plan was put in place to facilitate a
demonstration in the City Centre. A number of counter protest groups turned
out as a result of the planned demonstration and Officers acted quickly to
separate the groups. During incidents around the area of Lime Street and St
George's Plateau missiles were thrown and there were some scuffles among
protestors. As a result a number of arrests were made. A number of discarded
weapons were also recovered by Officers.
Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland said:- "The safety of members
of the public is our main priority. While we will facilitate a peaceful
protest we will not tolerate disorder or criminal or anti social behaviour.
Our Officers acted quickly to deal with the situation, separate groups of
protestors and contain them in a single area to try to minimise the
disruption caused to members of the public and local businesses. During the
incident 1 of our Officers was hit with a missile and was taken to Hospital,
suffering from concussion. He has now been released from Hospital to recover
at home, but I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate this kind of
behaviour against our Officers and will take all the necessary steps to find
the person or persons responsible. Together with our colleagues at the
British Transport Police and Greater Manchester Police, both managed to
escort the majority of protestors onto trains at Liverpool Lime Street and
out of the City. I would like to thank members of the public and businesses
in the City Centre for their patience as we dealt with this matter."
All 33 people were arrested and we are told that they have all been released
on bail pending further enquiries. At time of publication the following
information had been also supplied with the following information:-
► A 60 year old man was arrested on suspicion of
assaulting a Police Constable.
► A 33 year old man was arrested on suspicion of a
Section 4 Public Order Offence.
► A 39 year old man was arrested on suspicion of
obstructing a Police Officer and Breach of the Peace.
In addition a group of 30 males were also arrested on suspicion of offences
including violent disorder and possession of offensive weapons. |
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A magical selection of
children's shows heading to the Epstein Theatre
AS 1 of Liverpool's favourite venues, The Epstein
Theatre welcomes audiences of all ages and especially takes pride in
providing shows for our future generation of theatre goers, with a great mix
of children's shows coming up this season and beyond.
First up, Rainbow Magic Live presents Saving Fairyland! The fairy characters
from the beloved children's books from Rainbow Magic™ come to life in a new
musical stage production. Follow Rachel and Kristy through their magical
adventure as they help their fairy friends hunt for magical moonstones and
naughty goblins on Sunday, 13 March 2016.
LHK Productions return to The Epstein this Easter with a timeless tale and
one of the nation's favourite pantomimes Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
from Tuesday, 24 March 2016 to Wednesday, 6 April 2016, featuring The
Apprentice star James Hill and Liverpool legend Ricky Tomlinson. Snow White
tells the story of a beautiful princess whose vein and jealous step mother,
is obsessed with getting rid of her and becoming:- "the fairest of
them all." Complete with wonderful songs and excellent choreography,
as well as poisoned apples, charmed mirrors and of course a sprinkling of
panto magic, Snow White will be the unmissable Easter event!
Following hot on the heels of The Gruffalo's sell out tour and his monstrous
West End success The Gruffalo's Child will pop into The Epstein Theatre from
Tuesday, 17 May 2016 to Thursday, 19 May 2016; with plenty of attitude!
Based on Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson MBE and Axel Scheffler's award
winning picture book, the Gruffalo's child ignores her father's warning o1
wild and windy night and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad
Mouse doesn't really exist… does he? Just how brave is she? Come and find
out on Tuesday, 17 May 2016!
Don't Dribble on the Dragon is a spectacular musical adventure about growing
up and the importance of family and is the perfect feel good show for big
hearted adults, cheeky cool kids and loving little ones alike. Tom is a
toddler with a cool older brother, a secret dragon… and a dribbling problem
that just won't stop! When Tom's endless drooling threatens to tear the
brothers' friendship apart, can a dragon's crazy magic help them put it back
together again? Don't miss this mesmerising new musical with magic designed
by Paul Daniels from Tuesday, 31 May 2016 to Wednesday, 1 June 2016.
And something to look forward to in the autumn, The Railway Children puffs
into The Epstein on Tuesday, 25 October 2016 until Wednesday, 26 October
2016, bringing a beautiful blend of storytelling, drama, comedy and musical
theatre. E. Nesbit's well loved tale is brought to life in this new
adaptation by Woolford and John. Roberta, Peter and Phyllis live in a
comfortable house in London until their father is falsely accused of selling
state secrets and is imprisoned for 5 years. The family have to leave their
home and move to a quiet little cottage next to a railway in Yorkshire. They
quickly make friends with the Station Master and an old gentleman who waves
everyday from his carriage on the 9.15 to London. Could their unlikely
friendship be the key to the release of their father?
To book tickets please call:- 0844 888 4411* or go
online* or in person at The Epstein
Theatre Box Office, from 2pm to 6pm, Monday to Thursday and 12pm to 6pm,
Friday to Saturday.
*Subject to booking fee.
Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to panto we
go...!
HEIGH ho, heigh ho, there's just 1 month to go until
the happiest, dopiest, grumpiest and sneeziest panto of all comes to The
Epstein Theatre!
LHK Productions returns to the Epstein this Easter with 1 of the world's
favourite fairytales, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
This year's Easter panto is packed with an egg stra special line up of
celebrities including The Apprentice star James Hill who will be leaving the
boardroom to tread the boards, at the Hanover Street Theatre, when he stars in
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs!
The 27 year old heartthrob from Sheffield will be playing the role of the
Prince Charming and James, who won the hearts of the public when he entered
the Big Brother House earlier this year, will be winning the heart of Snow
White, as well as the audience with his dashing good looks.
Meanwhile, the grumpiest of them all, Liverpool actor and comedian Ricky
Tomlinson will feature in the role of The Magic Mirror in the guise of Jim
Royle.
Ricky is probably best known for his roles as Bobby Grant in Brookside and
the lazy but loveable Jim Royle in the The Royle Family. His acting credits
span over 30 years and include many more comedy and dramatic roles such as
the lead character in Mike Bassett: England Manager, DCI Charlie Wise in
Cracker, and the poignant portrayal of John Glover, father of Hillsborough
victim Ian, in the Jimmy McGovern drama Hillsborough.
In the role of The Magic Mirror, Ricky will appear as TV favourite Jim Royle
from The Royle Family and the TV slob and couch potato will be declaring:-
"Who is the fairest of them all."
The show also stars local actress Georgia Austin in the role of Snow White.
The beautiful young performer has been in many of LHK's youth productions
and has trained at Liverpool Theatre School. She is very excited to be
playing her first lead role.
17 year old Lewis Pryor from Halewood also returns to the stage in the role
of Muddles. Lewis won the audience's hearts as cheeky Buttons in Cinderella
last year and will no doubt having them eating out of the palm of his hand
again this Easter.
Meanwhile, TV and Radio presenter, Debi Jones, will be a force to be
reckoned with as the Wicked Queen and Liverpool favourite, Michael Chapman,
will return as the hilarious panto dame!
On joining the show Ricky Tomlinson said:- "I originally auditioned to
be Prince Charming but I was too tall. But the Magic Mirror is a perfect
starring role for me, I appear in 27 performances and don't even need to
leave my comfortable, trusty armchair! Remote at the ready, this is going to
be a barrel of fun. I've met all the big stars from Robert De Niro to Samuel
L Jackson, but I am thrilled to be doing my bit for Liverpool in this
wonderful theatre. Let's have a ball and give the kids a treat!"
James Hill added:- "I'm so excited to be doing my 1st panto with LHK
Productions. It will be great to spend some time in Liverpool and playing
Prince Charming will be fun... he taught me everything I know!"
And he admitted:- "I've never sang before but I've been practising
some Justin Bieber songs! I'm just looking forward to interacting with and
having fun with the audience!"
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs promises to deliver the same mix of fun and
traditional pantomime with a fresh and current twist which LHK Productions
are famous for. Complete with sensational songs, stunning choreography, the
panto will feature poisoned apples, magical mirrors, a brilliant cast and,
of course, a sprinkling of panto magic…
This timeless tale, and 1 of the nation's favourite
pantomimes, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs tells the story of a beautiful
princess whose vain and jealous stepmother is hell bent on getting rid of
her and becoming:- "the fairest of them all."
After fleeing the kingdom to escape the Wicked Queen's evil plans, Snow
White seeks refuge with seven dwarfs in their cottage in the forest. Taking
pity on poor Snow White, the dwarfs allow her to stay with them until a
wicked spell is cast which only true love can conquer.
Snow White runs from 24 March, 2016 to the 6 April, 2016 for 27 magical
performances and will be the unmissable Easter event of the year. So book
your tickets now for the most enchanting panto in the land. We do hope to
see you there (oh yes we do)!
To book your tickets call:- 0844 888 4411 or visit
EpsteinLiverpool.Co.UK or book in person at the theatre box
office or via TicketQuarter, Queen Square, Liverpool, or call:- 0844 8000
410. |
