Paul ‘Didymus’ Holmes

Audio Diary: An Introduction

November 1987. The second floor of John Menzies, Middleton. An incredulous employee doesn’t believe the woman’s claims that her child, celebrating their third birthday that day, wants to buy a 7″ vinyl single by George Harrison. “If he can sing that song for me, I’ll buy him the record…” they joke, little realising they’d soonContinue reading “Audio Diary: An Introduction”

Smashed Prawns in a Milky Basket

In the summer of 2020, I was invited onto hit podcast Smashed Prawns in a Milky Basket to discuss cult sketch show Psychobitches with host Sophie Davies. I’ve known Sophie for years and her knowledge and enthusiasm for British comedy possibly outshines my own, so it was a joy to chat to her again. MyContinue reading “Smashed Prawns in a Milky Basket”

Review: Mike Batt – The Penultimate Collection

SOURCE: We Are Cult A carefully-crafted collection celebrating a prestigious career spanning more than five decades. Many artists receive both warm praise and damning dismissal during their illustrious careers. Few seem to have unintentionally been on the receiving end of both quite like Mike Batt, who is credited with writing some of the most well-regardedContinue reading “Review: Mike Batt – The Penultimate Collection”

Review: Toyah Solo

SOURCE: We Are Cult “I’m too qualified, to give up lie down and die. This is my unsentimental education.” Toyah Willcox has been a household name since her eponymous band burst onto the UK pop charts in the early 1980s. Juggling her musical career with high profile work as an actress on stage and screen,Continue reading “Review: Toyah Solo”

An Austentatious Q&A

Eight performers in regency costumes line up on a spiral staircase.

Hang on to your bonnets as we ask one question of each member of the Austentatious team.

Tony Beckton on Simon Day’s UK Tour

As Simon Day allegedly heads out on a UK tour, we speak to one of the four men actually performing in the show…

Adam Miller on The Windsors

Director Adam Miller sits on a window sill reading his notes.

As The Windsors returns to Channel 4, we catch up with series director Adam Miller.

Ellie White & Celeste Dring on The Windsors

Ellie White & Celeste Dring in character for The Windsors.

SOURCE: THE VELVET ONION The Windsors is currently charming audiences every Wednesday night on Channel 4, as the soap-style sitcom about the royal family is back for a second series. With a number of TVO regulars in front of and behind the camera, we thought it was high time we spoke to some of them aboutContinue reading “Ellie White & Celeste Dring on The Windsors”

Katy Wix on The Windsors

Source: The Velvet Onion This week sees the return of The Windsors to our screens, as the soap-style sitcom about the royal family is back for a second series. With a number of TVO regulars in front of and behind the camera, we thought it was high time we spoke to some of them about theContinue reading “Katy Wix on The Windsors”

Alice Lowe on Prevenge’s final push

A woman wearing a red dress and skull face-paint, looks at herself in the mirror.

Source: The Velvet Onion Prevenge – the directorial feature debut from Alice Lowe – is available on dvd and blu-ray now. To celebrate, TVO cornered Alice once more to talk in depth about the Prevenge experience from conception to completion. With major spoilers (you have been warned), this is the result… “It’s like the final push of labour,” Alice Lowe jokes as we catchContinue reading “Alice Lowe on Prevenge’s final push”

Rhys Thomas on Brian Pern: A Tribute

Photographs of Brian Pern surrounded by bouquets of flowers lie on the front steps of a house.

Source: The Velvet Onion This week sees BBC Four air a special tribute to fallen prog-rock singer Brian Pern, who died last month aged 66 following an unexpected segway mistake. This exclusive documentary for BBC Four also features Brian’s final prophetic interview, which has never been transmitted before as well as the true story behind hisContinue reading “Rhys Thomas on Brian Pern: A Tribute”

Marny Godden on Where’s John’s Porridge Bowl?

Source: The Velvet Onion The Edinburgh Fringe is now well under way and there’s a whole host of hilarious shows to savour. One such show is the latest solo hour from Marny Godden: one third of sketch trio The Grandees who has previously appeared in The Day They Came to Suck Out Our Brains, UmbridgeContinue reading “Marny Godden on Where’s John’s Porridge Bowl?”