Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP)

RHLSTP Book Club 9 - Super-Infinite - Richard talks to author and academic Katherine Rundell about her beautifully written, passionate and informative biography of the poet John Donne.  How much do we know about this incredible poet and sermon writer, was he the womaniser that his poems make him out to be, how brutal was existence 400 years ago, did he write all of the poems ascribed to him a...

#379 M&M Apocalypse - Richard’s son continues to come up with better material than his dad, without even trying. His guest is the unparalleled comedy genius Armando Iannucci. They chat about how Armando once again predicted the future with his hilarious new sitcom Avenue 5, the lows and deeper lows of lockdown, what inspired him to write the mock-heroic poem, Pandemonium https://www.amazo...

RHLSTP Book Club 8 - Hot Mess - Richard talks to comedian and climate scientist Dr Matt Winning about his funny and terrifying, but still hopeful book, Hot Mess. Are we all doomed? Can recycling help? How do you make climate change funny? And what part did Richard play in the creation of this book and does that mean he’s already done his bit? Buy the book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hot-Mess-Ear...

#378 Test Card Girl - Rich has freaked himself out by attempting to cure the aphantasia (that he suffers with in silence). His guest is John Craven sanctioned Newshound Samira Ahmed. They discuss the legacy of Mary Whitehouse and whether it’s OK to point out the positive things that someone with some unacceptable views has done, the bravery of taking your employer to court in order to secure...

RHLSTP Book Club 7 - Advice From Strangers - Richard chats to the fabulous Rachel Parris about her funny, surprising, moving and clever book in which she explores advice given to her by audience members, to reveal much about herself and life in general. They talk about the power of writing about terrible personal experiences, the need to be be more open about our sex lives, when old wives tales tu...

#377 Piss Canal - Richard’s son has come up with a brilliant new emergency question (and is thus finally helping to pay for his upkeep), though is it worth it for the Hell of attending a three hour kids’ party? Richard’s guest is fabulous writer/actor/comedian Jamie Demetriou. They talk about how many holes are in a ghost’s sheet, the genesis of Stath Lets Flats and why the casting was crucial to...

RHLSTP Book Club 6 - God: An Anatomy - As heard on Radio 4 - Francesca's book deals with how the western idea of God might have developed through an examination of God's body. Can you guess which bit Rich is most interested in? Buy it here https://www.https://www.amazon.co.uk/God-Anatomy-Francesca-Stavrakopoulou-ebook/dp/B08ZNJXT2K Live RHLSTPs coming up in the Leicester Square Theatre....

#376 Barking at the Plumber - Hey everyone, it’s a surprise transatlantic RHLSTP with one of the greatest stand-ups in the world, and more importantly one of the greatest people, Maria Bamford. They chat about living without hot water, comedy merch, trying out challenging material to James Corden’s audience, why it’s OK to do (trigger warning) comedy about mental illness and suicida...

RHLSTP Book Club 5 - Ask A Historian: 50 Surprising Answers to Things You Always Wanted to Know  - Joining Rich for the book club this week is historian and friend of the podcast Greg Jenner. We'll find out all sorts of stuff including when the first ever Monday was and what was in the first ever joke book. Buy it here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ask-Historian-Things-Always-Wanted/dp/147461...

#375 Coolio Versus Mini Me - Richard is furious about the new incarnation of Big Cook Little Cook and is going to be schooled in farts by his audience. His guest is Stewart Lee lookalike and broadcaster Terry Christian. They chat about the professionalism of June Whitfield, being at the centre of the emerging Madchester music scene, the incredible success of the Word, but the disconnect between th...

RHLSTP Book Club 4 - The Last Hundred Years (Give or Take) and All That  - This week’s book club episode was recorded on 15th November 2020, during lockdown in a central London bar with an online audience. It’s a fun look at the last century (roughly) including the incredible series of screw ups that led to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand (not that one). Buy it here  https://amazon....

#374 I Sure Love Motorcycling - Richard has nearly killed someone in his audience and has finally found a good reason for having kids. He’s also potentially about to destroy the universe as his guest is Herring doppelgänger (even down to the number of testicles) Charley Boorman. He talks about what he got paid for appearing in Deliverance, hanging out with movie stars (past and future) as a kid, t...

RHLSTP Book Club 3 - Catch Your Breath - Rich chats to standup, writer and actual doctor Ed Patrick about his new memoir of his life as a stressed out sleep deprived anaesthetist. Buy it here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catch-Your-Breath-Sleepless-Anaesthetist-ebook/dp/B0911V8HPF Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#373 The End of History - Richard has more terrifying news about butterflies and his son’s attempts to follow in his footsteps. His guest is the only person who can follow Paul Chuckle, historian and broadcaster Dr Janina Ramirez. They talk about (hopefully) living through a major historical event, the incredible range of inspirational Goddesses,  how we’re able to discover more about th...

RHLSTP Book Club 2 - The Importance of Being Interested - Rich chats to comedian Robin Ince about his great new book about how we can tackle the big scientific subjects like time travel, alternate universes and quantum physics and much more. Buy it here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Importance-Being-Interested-Adventures-Scientific/dp/1786492628/ or wherever you get your books. Hosted on Acast. Se...

#372 Arthur Askey's Chair - Richard is wondering if comedians might be the solution to all the world’s problems (they won’t be), but delighted to be back at the Leicester Square Theatre for the start of Season 23 of this amazing podcast. His guest is legendary comedian and DJ Paul Chuckle. They chat about Paul’s incredible 59 year career, from working mens’ clubs and routines with Charlie Cairoli,...

This is a chat between Rich, Robin Ince and host Tommy Pearson from an event at the Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden which was a celebration of all things Morecambe and Wise - it includes thoughts on what made the pair the legends they are, a look at some clips from the shows (not included in this podcast but you can easily find them) and some thoughts on how double acts work. There wa...

#371 Full Body Plaster Cast - Richard is back at the Y Theatre in Leicester and you won’t believe what experts in the Leicester Mercury have discovered. His guest is actor and singer, Rebecca Wheatley. They chat about Menopause the Musical 2, why it’s great to talk about women’s issues and why an audience of women are like chickens, why Charlie from Casualty looks over people’s shoulders, bei...

For Red Nose Day investigative drinkers Hannah George, Catie Wilkins and Taylor Glenn invite special guest Richard Herring to solve a crime assisted by his favourite alcoholic beverage. You have the power to do something incredible this Red Nose Day. Whether it’s a little or a lot, the money you donate will help tackle poverty, take action against violence and bring an end to discrimination. Give...

A new offshoot of RHLSTP, here comes RHLSTPBC, a new occasional podcast where Richard discusses a book he’s reading with the author. This week’s was actually an Instagram Live chat with his wife Catie Willkins about her fabulous new book You’re Not The Boss Of Me! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Youre-Not-Boss-Catherine-Wilkins/dp/1788007867 A fun read for 10-14 year olds, though enough laughs to keep ad...

#370 Melting Caterpillars - Richard has headed to Leicester, the home of his enemies, but is here with the offer of an exchange, plus he has a scheme to get infinite free paper. His guest is cuckoo clock reviewer Joz Norris. They discuss acceptable name abbreviations, Mr Fruit Salad, what would happen if everyone in the world blinked at the same time, unusual lockdown flatmates, the unpredict...

Slapstick Special with Robin Ince - Pioneer of comedy Podcasting, legendary stand up and writer Richard Herring joins Infinite Monkey Cage co-host Robin Ince at Slapstick’s inaugural Desert Island Comedy Flicks event. If Richard was stranded on a desert island and could only have 10 comedy films with him, which films would he choose? Come and delight in the conversation as Robin probes Richard to...

#369 Les Dawson Gladiator - Richard is in Bristol at the Slapstick Festival and starts by paying tribute to a fallen comedy hero (and the third guest to fall to the curse of RHLSTP). His guest is actor, impressionist and astronomer Jon Culshaw. They discuss Queen Victoria’s everlasting fire, how a receptionist set Jon on course to his comedy career, getting through to Tony Blai...

#43 You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore Rich is back for an unprecedented 5th series of this stupid podcast, worried that he might have the same effect on this week's guest as he did with Stephen Merchant. But it's unlikely as it's a welcome return for the man with the pink bicycle, Adam Buxton. What is the ethical age for a dog to be before you have sex with it? How much does the cartoon The Snowm...

#368 Cottage Pie Hair - Richard is back at the Phoenix and wondering how future robots will judge him for the way he thinks about the robots of today. His guest is my dear Mark Watson. They discuss forgetting about working with Peter Andre, how judging yourself by the achievements of your contemporaries is maybe not the healthiest way to behave, what it’s like to be let go by your manage...