Rory Bremner’s International Satirists
Rory Bremner presents an edgy three part comedy arts series engaging topical comics, satirists and comedians from different countries about their cultures and how they relate to ours – if at all.
This is a series of unique and insightful comic encounters into the humour of other nations presented by one of Britain’s most significant topical comedians.
Episode 1 – Hans Teeuwen – Holland
Mad bad and dangerous to know, Hans Teeuwen is an absurdist comic performer who takes great risks on stage and has been likened to Bill Hicks and Andy Kaufman. But after the murder of his close friend Theo van Gogh he decided to start performing his Dutch ‘cabaretier’ show in English, to wide acclaim.
Rory and Hans explore the world of performance and topical and absurdist comedy, exchanging views and impressions while discussing the risks facing Dutch comics today.
The programme features media academic Liesbet van Zoonen of Loughborough University and Rotterdam University.
Duration: 30 minutes. First broadcast: Monday 08 March 2010
Written and presented by Rory Bremner
Produced by Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero
A Curtains for Radio production for BBC Radio 4
Episode 2 – Barry Murphy and Mario Rosenstock – Ireland
Barry Murphy of Ireland. Described as the Don of Irish comedy by the Irish Times, Barry Murphy has, with his Comedy Cellars club in Dublin watched as his protégé Eddie Izzard, Tommy Tiernan and Dylan Moran have gone on to international fame. Barry Murphy is the most respected topical comic/satirist in Ireland and gives Rory a unique insight into the rich world of Irish satire. With contributions from Mario Rosenstock.
Duration: 30 minutes. First broadcast: Monday 15 March 2010
Written and presented by Rory Bremner
Produced by Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero
A Curtains for Radio production for BBC Radio 4.
Episode 3 – Victor Giacobbo – Switzerland
Victor Giacobbo has been a satirical presence in Switzerland for the best part of 30 years and uses a variety of comic character creations to illustrate the subtle but active social differences in this well-behaved country. The fact that Switzerland is the oldest culturally integrated, openly democratic country in Europe cannot conceal the absurdities and contradictions found in the political classes and the people of this cheerful, mildly repressed, law-abiding nation.
Duration: 30 minutes. First broadcast: Monday 22 March 2010
Written and presented by Rory Bremner
Produced by Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero
A Curtains for Radio production for BBC Radio 4
This series will be available for download shortly