Out Of Character with Alex Lynch: Conversations with Sketch and Character Comedians

Alex chats to writer performer David Reed (BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Penny Dreadfuls’, BBC’s ‘It’s Kevin’) about dispensable characters, the playfulness of sketch and the joy of watching serious actors be idiots. David also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 13th June 2020....

Alex chats to writer, performer and hairy wonder The Storybeast (‘Bill’, So Beano Comedy) about the best charity shops, the worst audiences and the English Wyrd. John Henry also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 7th June 2020. You can find out more about John Henry a...

Alex chats to writer performer Susan Harrison (Showstoppers, CBBC’s ‘DNN’ and ‘Class Dismissed’) about Showstoppers Eurovision, critical characters, and playing a hedgehog on stage. Susan also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 30th May 2020. You can find out more abo...

In second of this two-parter, Alex chats to writer and comedy highlord Steve Dawson (BBC’s ‘Walliams and Friends’, ITV’s ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’) about writing for children, creating idiocy for ‘Ant and Dec’ and making ‘The Peter Serafinowicz Show’. Steve also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. T...

In the first of this two-parter, Alex chats to writer and comedy highlord Steve Dawson (BBC’s ‘Walliams and Friends’, ITV’s ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’) about the Dawson Bros, breaking down character traits and trying to write funny during a global crisis. In second of this two-parter, Alex chats to Steve about writing for children, creating idiocy for ‘Ant and Dec’ and making ‘The Peter Serafinowic...

Alex chats to writer performer Harrie Hayes (BBC’s ‘Horrible Histories’ and ‘King Gary’, E4’s ‘Wasted’) about new lockdown skills, topical sketch comedy and going it alone in her first solo show. Harrie also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 16th May 2020. You can fi...

Alex chats to writer performer Richard Soames (BBC’s ‘Michael McIntyre’s Big Show’, Knightmare Live) about morality, improv, fatherhood and fish murder. Richard also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 10th May 2020. You can find out more about Richard at…  http:/...

Alex chats to writer performer Anna Morris (C4’s ‘Lee and Dean’, BBC Radio 4’s ‘Anna Morris: Kid-Life Crisis’) about going viral, audience interaction and her process when creating a character. Anna also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 2nd May 2020. You can find ou...

Alex chats to writer performer Tom Crowley (‘The Royals’ on E!, BBC Radio 4’s ‘Ankle Tag’) about all things sketch - from Sad Faces to solo work to how online has changed the shape of this comedy sub-genre. Tom also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. You can find more of Tom’s work here…  http:...