Braiiiiiiiin…

After many, many hours of website updating – my brain is now more mushy than usual.  Some of it may be dripping out of my right ear.  Who can say…?  Now you can find: production photos from Glitch; a freshly tidied up singing page which now includes my new Zombie song that I recorded this week with my bro + 2 tracks recorded during my interview on Leith FM in August; my latest headshots and some fantastic photos taken during a shoot by Gavin Hill of Mecaniques Photography on the gallery page.  See below for an example of the latter:

PLUS I’ve added some more photos to my MySpace photos page, including some great Lois of the Lane in action shots, one of these being this one, taken by Piglicker:

(It appears I never leave the house without said stripy top on…)

There has been a whole host of other general tidying up/updating bits including the expulsion of a sneaky rogue apostrophe.  (Ha ha!  I tame you, punctuation.)

Soon I can stop looking at a computer screen and all will be well.

In other news – No Suprises went down a storm last Saturday.  It was an overwhelming success and a whole heap of money was raised.  Very glad to have been a part of it.  Enjoyed myself muchly 🙂

This week, on Thursday the 28th, I’m playing at the Village Green Preservation Society‘s monthly night at The Betsey Trotwood again.  Last month’s was great!  This time, the theme is Tricks and Treats so my Last 2 Zombies song is making another appearance, along with another song I’m yet to write.  No idea what’s going to pop out.

For now though, I must switch off.  Night all.  Zzzzzzzzzzz…

Tragic Cabinet Freakshow Twin Application Symposium and Waterloo East Busking!

Another 4 months appears to have zipped past.  They do that don’t they?

Well, in April I was being all tragic in a masked version of The Bacchae for Chris Vervain which was filmed for use in schools.  Helloooooooooooo Thebes!

In May I had another private Lois of the Lane gig and then subsequently found myself hanging out at Paul Zenon‘s cabinet of Curiosities at the Brighton Fringe:

I was generally being a helpful sailor and keeping an eye on Paul Garner‘s freakshow artwork:

June saw me freaking out with the Gawkagogo Freakshow again – this time at the Udderbelly on the Southbank as part of the Time Out Live Friday Night Freakshow.  There was pigging and a bit of Siamese Twin action:

(Lots of black wig wearing going on over the past few months!)

Also finally put in an application to the Arts Council in June, for funding to re-develop and re-vamp Super Situation.  ALL TOES ARE CROSSED.  I’ve just been on a fund raising course too, so NOTHING WILL STOP ME…

Moving on to July, last Thursday I was part of Jennifer Farmer’s 10 minute slot during the Brand writers symposium at the Southbank Centre as part of the London Literature Festival.  She presented 4 small sections of piece she is developing entitled ‘thefadingcity’ which will ultimately be a large scale immersive theatre piece.  I was doing random, absurd, interactive improvised stuff with kitchen implements, imaginary toxic ingredients and song.  Love it 🙂

Coming up…

I’m putting on Super Situation and Glitch at the (almost) newly opened Waterloo East Theatre on Brad Street next week.  Here be map.  Also on the bill is ‘Baby Rice Cakes’ by Michele Hallak; performed by Michele and the Director of Super Situation: Jamie Rocha Allan.  (We have the honour of being the first professional shows on there – whoop!)  Important details below:

Thurs 22nd and Fri 23rd of July

7:30pm – Super Situation
9pm – Baby Rice Cakes followed by Glitch

£8 for one time slot, £10 for both

Box Office: 0207 928 0060

Click here for Facebook event.

It’s part of the Best of Festivals season produced by Theatre6 which is warming up the theatre before it officially opens in September.  Looking forward to cracking on with rehearsals next week 🙂

In August I’m going to be disappearing off to the Edinburgh Fringe to do a bit of busking for just over a week.  As yet, I still have to dust off my guitar and come up with the songs, but, seemingly, I like a challenge!

The March-ing of Time

Erk – another long update hiatus. As ever, stuff’s been going down despite the radio silence.

First up, I had some marvellous new headshots taken at the end of October by Ceri Ashcroft.  They are waiting in the electronic pile of bits to upload to my website when I manage to squeeze a long overdue website updating session in.  Soon I hope!  Soon…  Here is one of ’em for now:

There are more on my Spotlight CV if yer interested.

The beady eyed of you will also notice on said CV that I have an agent!  I’m now represented by Sharon Foster Management 🙂

Over a couple of Sundays in October I also got round to recording my little song with my bruv.  It’s called ‘Really and True’ and it’s been uploaded to the site for a while now so you can listen to it here. ( For those with a more offend-able disposition than my own, there is mild ‘language’ from the start…)  It’s me on guitar, kazoo and vocal and my bro on thigh slapping, faux glockenspiel and faux accordion.  Very pleased with how it’s turned out.  There’ll be a proper link to it added during my next update session and, at some point, there’ll be a video for it too.  Raaaah!

In December, the Gawkagogo Freakshow descended upon The Lowry:

Much freakiness abounded and I got enjoy being part of the inaugural outing of the all new, literally all singing, all dancing Siamese Twin act, as well as the premier of the new Beatnik Piggy act and various other freaky gubbins.  More Freakshow news at some point in the near future…

As for Lois of the Lane, she performed at the Comedy Cabin at the end of October and has had her a private gig so far this year at the RVT, with another private gig booked for elsewhere in May.  On the Super Situation front, plans are still afoot for the next stage of the show.  STILL VERY EXCITED!

Coming up, I’m going to be involved in a film production of The Bacchae in April.  Amongst other things, it’ll be a great chance to learn a good chunk of lines again.  (So much silent performing over the past few years – which I LOVE, but speech based things do also most definitely float the boat.)  Until then though, there must be a veritable cracking on with the stuff that needs to be done.  Let me at ’em…

Devilish New Photos

Well hello there.  I’ve just about recovered from the Latitude Festival (eee it were grand) in time to mention my appearance as Ms Lois of the Lane this Friday the 25th of July in ‘And the Devil May Drag You Under’.

Details:

“A Twisted Vaudevillian Romp” TIME OUT – Critic’s Choice

FINAL LONDON PREVIEW – FRIDAY 25TH JULY

FEATURING THE LOST SOULS OF:

Des O’Connor as “THE DEVIL”
Pustra/Vile-een’s Vaudeville as “CLAMMY DO AND THE CORN DOGS”
Lizzie Wort as “MISS MEPHISTO”
Scottee as “SCOTTEE”
Honey Lulu as “THE MERRY WIDOW”
Lois Tucker as “LOIS OF THE LANE”
plus
Archibald Floss

Volupte Lounge
7-9 Norwich Street
London
EC4A 1EJ
Nearest Tube: Chancery Lane (Central Line)

Doors: 6:15pm
Showtime: 7pm-8:30pm
Standing Room £5
Concessions available
2 for 1 Cocktails 5pm-8pm
info@volupte-lounge.com

And The Devil May Drag You Under is a darkly hilarious slice of razor-sharp, lightning quick comedy and song wrapped up in a thrillingly wicked story told by a dysfunctional family of colourful characters.  Damnation Never Looked This Good!

Get yourselves down there for one hell of a time.  (Sorry – couldn’t resist.)

I’ve just had some more fantastic Lois of the Lane photographs taken by Emre Soykan.  Most of my faves are now uploaded to my MySpace and I’ll be getting on to putting them up here asap…

For now, here’s a taster:

I laugh in the face of tonsillitis. Ha!

So, the latest round of Glitch performances went down a storm. Thank you to all of you who made it along and to all who helped out.  Another sell-out!!  I had a great time and managed to get a few photographs taken – a couple of which you can see below.  I look ever so serious…

When I’ve got all of the pictures on my computer I’ll upload ’em properly.  Hopefully there’ll be more dates for Glitch, so watch this space.  Want to start developing a new project too…

I’ve got two Lois of the Lane gigs this week.  The first at Velvet‘s 9th Cabaret and Burlesque meetup at Madame Jojo’s on Thursday the 28th and the second at The Red Velvet Curtain Club‘s Lunacy evening at The Whitechapel Art Gallery on Friday the 29th.  Both should be very different and very entertaining evenings!

Then there’s another happening for the Gawkagogo Freakshow at The Vibe Lounge above the Vibe Bar on Brick Lane on March the 12th.  Here’s the back of the flyer:

So if you missed the Barden’s show, now’s yer chance to see a revamped re-run!

Off to the kitchen now to go douse myself in some more honey and hot water.  I shall be triumphant.

Lois of the Lane, Pig in the Mud, Firey Clowning and More!

Good grief, a whole heap of a lot of stuff has happened since I last posted on here.  Wearisome wi-fi woe has been holding me back on the update front, but now I am victorious (haha wireless router – I have tamed you!  Feel my power!) and ready to spill all sorts of beans and the like.

So, first up – Lois of the Lane, my cabaret creation.  She’s a smiley silent comedy girl with a penchant for a bit of ridiculousness.  The blurb so far:

Lois of the Lane – Nerd of few words.  Snazzy dresser.  Sharp mover.  Lover of fine music and fine unexpectedness.  Eater of cheese.  Wearer of eyebrow.  Purveyor of the most delicious bite-sized chunks of silent comedy this side of Vaudeville.  You have been warned!

Each of my acts, otherwise known as ‘Random Acts of Ridiculousness‘ are around 4-5 minutes long and comprise of much stupidity 🙂  I currently have 3, (very nearly 4) ready and raring to go, entitled ‘Opus One’, ‘The Box of 1,000 Dances’ and ‘Showdown’.

My first gig at the opening night of Red Dress‘ Supper Club: ‘You Little Minx’ on the 29th of June was a storming success.  This is me, mid ‘Box of 1,000 Dances’, photographed by Moira Lovell:

My next gigs will be at The Vaudeville Cabaret Club during the last 10 days of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  When I have exact dates, I’ll post ’em.

I’m getting some ‘Lois of the Lane‘ promotional photos done, then there’ll be a whole re-vamp of my website to accommodate my new alter ego.  Lots and lots to do…

Next – The Gawkagogo Freakshow!

We had a fantastic time at the Glastonbury and Latitude festivals.  A constant stream of people, endless queues to get in and a bit of coverage on Channel 4 in the form of Carling’s Festival Postcards.   You can watch our bit in the show here:

Now it’s off to the Pleasance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with us and the micro carny tent.  Information and stuff here.  We’re on from the 18th – 27th of August, playing every 15 minutes from 7pm – 9pm and we are one of the 20 must-see acts at the Edinburgh Fringe.  You definitely must see us then.

While we’re up there, Paul‘s got another exhibition going at the Hula Juice Bar, Grassmarket.  Details here.

Lastly, Gawkagogo joined the Fire Tusk Pain Proof Circus at their spectacular gig at The Roundhouse on the 27th of July, as part of the ‘Circus Front’ season.  I had much fun clowning around as Hooters 🙂  Here be gallery:

 

(Actually, this is lastly – pictures from Glastonbury and Latitude:)

(Image above: courtesy of Sonny Malhotra – Reportage Photography.)


Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud!!

Freaks! Awards! Beards! Spies!

This summer is looking to be a rather enjoyable one with me disappearing off to 3 festivals: Glastonbury, Latitude and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the Gawkagogo Freakshow:

“A new fast-paced, edgily funny modern rockabilly pop-culture twist on a classic freakshow – but compacted in time and space!  Using the classic grind show format, Gawkagogo Freakshow consists of a rapid-fire, action-packed 15-minute freakish variety bill.  The show features quick-change cartoon-style costumes, weird puppetry, stage illusion and audience interaction, to produce an experience unlike anything the audience has ever seen before.  Introduced and run by the trio of Gawkagogo hosts, the Freakshow features a varying bill including some of the acclaimed Gawkagogo roster of characters, like: Elephant Man Elvis (“Comedy Genius” LONDON EVENING STANDARD), Dali Parton, Norma Guntz and her Tom Jones Tumour, Dennis Hopperfield The House Fly Liberarnie, Mentalo: Master Of Mentalism, The Invisible Man Magician.”

‘Ave it!!

Gawkagogo‘s ‘C*nt Bingo’ was nominated for “Most Original Act” in the this year’s Ministry of Burlesque Awards following our appearance at Candy Box in February.  I thoroughly enjoyed meself, dancin like a loon, at the awards ceremony at The Pigalle Club on Sunday.  (No one was harmed during said dancing.  Well, as far as I know.)

With all of this cabaret stuff I seem to have got myself into, it’s about time I sorted out my own act, which is what I’m doing right now.  More on this soon…

I also want to get some music stuff on here, so I should be sorting that out and uploading it when it’s ready to go.

Old news that I didn’t get round to posting in time:

I was one of the voices in the afternoon play ‘Delayed Departures’ last week on Radio 4, written by Matthew Solon, Produced/Directed by John Dryden and starring Matthew Solon, Samantha Bond and Robert Gwylim.  Bizarre to be doing Airport Announcements after Glitch!  Here’s me (whilst we were recording in a hotel room) with some of the equipment, looking like a Russian Spy:

Bondtastic!

Ooh, here’s another photo of me (it’s all me, me, me…) as the Demon Barber Bearded Lady in Gawkagogo‘s Damnation Alley at The Texas Chainsaw Travelling Horror Picture Show‘s 1st Birthday Massacre in March:

Photo courtesy of Stef Lindeque.

It was rather freezing in my doorway, but it was well worth it.

Right, back to shaking my brain around a bit to see what comes out…

SHOWREEL!! (Amongst other things)

First up – my showreel is finally finished!  Huge thanks to my flatmate Jamie for having all the necessary cables and bits and bobs to set me on the right track.  The many long hours I spent sat alone in front of my computer have paid off and I’m very pleased with the final version.  So, come one, come all – witness the glory!

(I’m a bit over excited. Can you tell?)

Secondly, ‘Small Talk‘ has won some kind of award.  When I find out exactly what it was it’ll be put straight on my CV!  It was screened again on the 15th of February at the NFT as part of Eat Our Shorts.

At the end of this month, on the 23rd, I’m going to be part of Gawkagogo‘s ‘Damnation Alley’ at The Texas Chainsaw Travelling Horror Picture Show‘s 1st Birthday do at Electrowerkz.  I think there may well be some kind of facial hair involved 😀

Last week I was part of the 365 event at The Pleasance.  I found myself part of ‘Constant 2’ and ‘Ask The Experts’.

Before I go, here are some pictures taken at the Candy Box Burlesque Valentine’s Spectacular, courtesy of Cherry Bomb Rock Photography:

More pictures here.

(Did I mention that I’ve finished my showreel…?)

Loadsa stuff

Glitch proved to be a sellout success at the Etcetera on the 11th and 12th.  Thanks to all who came! I had some fantastic feedback and I’m planning on putting the show on again in London asap.  More on that soon hopefully…

Prior to my Glitch performances, in the midst of the preparations, I found myself prancing around on Gawkagogo‘s stage at Torture Garden‘s New Year’s Eve bash.  We started dancing at 9pm and went right through to 6am.  (Well, I was more ‘shuffling’ for a number of hours.)

During the evening I inhabited the bodies of a Pig Faced Child:

Bearded Lady:

and Hooters the Clown:

(You can really tell how tired we all were by this point!)

On another Hooters note – me and her (us) are heading up to Brum next month in Gawkagogo‘s extra large suitcase for the Candy Box Burlesque Valentine Spectacular at the Glee Club on the 11th.  There’s going to be a live band to accompany shenanigans and everything.  Looking forward to it!

After that I’m going to be involved in the 356 plays event at The Pleasance in Norf London.  Not entirely sure how yet, but all shall be made clear…

Ooh, and Paul Garner‘s Monster Art Exhibition is still going on at Tusk Tattoo in town.  The opening night was great fun!  Photos n stuff here.