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Re: Latitude additions - Saint Etienne, The Temper Trap, Frank Skinner, Lee Mack ...
Welcome to one of the biggest and best comedy festivals in Britain positioned on the hill overlooking the luscious landscape of the Latitude site. The Comedy Arena is one of the biggest draws of the weekend; bursting at the seams with people as they sit back and enjoy the stellar stand up performances from the cream of the comedy circuit. Joining Jo Brand, Sean Lock, Ed Byrne, Dave Gorman, Mark Thomas and many others is: Stand-up comic from the North West, Lee Mack, best known for his work on BAFTA winning ‘The Sketch Show’ and the Rose d’Or and RTS award winning BBC sitcom ‘Not Going Out’, the “always cheeky, never blue” Lee Mackjoins the Latitude line up. With his constant determination to have fun, with high energy, and fast pace, Mack jumps quickly and confidently from one hilarious subject to another, leaving the audience on the edge of their seat if not on the floor. Mack had a stint presenting ‘They Think It’s Al l Over’ and is now a regular on BBC panel show ‘Would I Lie to You’. Described as “brilliant” by no lesser judge than Harry Enfield, baby-faced comic Stephen Grant has been added to the Latitude Comedy Arena line up. Widely regarded as one of the best comperes on the UK circuit, he won Best Compere Of The Year at the 2008 Chortle Awards. But his unstoppable, ebullient motor mouth gabbling away an easy mix of anecdotes, observations and gags has meant that his stand-up routines are just as entertaining. Fast-paced quick-fire wit and friendly banter comedy is Rob Rouse’s trademark. His comic style helped him win the coveted Channel 4 new act competition ‘So You Think You're Funny?’ in 1998. As well as stand-up, he also performed as part of the Big And Daft trio with Ian Boldsworth and Jon Williams from 1997 to 2002, before going solo in 2002. His has also done TV work, presenting the first series of The Friday Night Project on Channel 4, the C4 sketch show Spoons, and playing Mike in the first series of the BBC3 sitcom Grown Ups. After a six year break concentrating on directing work for the likes of Eddie Izzard and Reginald D. Hunter, John Gordillo returned to the stand-up circuit in 2006. His intellectual, personally political and heartfelt comedy is better than ever with receiving glowing reviews and selling out tours. He’s back this year with brand new work called ‘Fuckonomics’. “A grown-up comic who combines emotional intimacy with high-quality gags. You may not find a more accomplished Fringe show." The Guardian Actress and stand-up comedian, Kerry Godliman, has been causing a stir with her television work as one half of the sketch duo Godliman and Lane, and one of the stars of the 2005 Channel 4 sketch show Spoons. But her stand-up routines are equally praised, reaching the final in The Babycham Funny Women Stand-up competition, and won second place in The Hackney Empire New Act Final in 2004. "This cocky Londoner, and up-and-coming actress, knows how to hold an audience's attention, with a well-honed delivery that ensures her material always gets the best response." Chortle. Latitude celebrates the art of the written word and all its many splendid facets at Suffolk ’s now legendary library by the sea. Like all good books, the Literary Arena will transport you to the far reaches of your imagination guided by the storytelling talents of the very best authors and special guests scheduled for the weekend. Discussions, Q&As, stories and comic genius are the order of the day for these book readings with a difference. Immerse yourself in Latitude’s literary world and learn, explore, laugh and discover at the best literary event of the summer. Award-winning comedian Frank Skinner, well known for 'The Frank Skinner Show' and, with his comedy partner David Baddiel, 'Fantasy Football' and the iconic football anthem, 'Three Lions', recently made a triumphant return to his stand-up roots. At Latitude he will discuss his life and work as featured in his new book Frank Skinner ‘On The Road’, a follow-up to his critically acclaimed autobiography, ‘Frank Skinner’. In February 2005, Scottish musician Edwyn Collins suffered two devastating brain haemorrhages. He should have died. Doctors advised that if he did survive, there would be little of him left. If that wasn't enough, he went on to contract MRSA as a result of an operation to his skull and spent six months in hospital. Initially, Edwyn couldn't speak, read, write, walk, sit up or feed himself. He had lost all movement in his right side and was suffering from aphasia - an inability to use or understand language. With help from his partner and manager Grace Maxwell he began to fight back and teach his brain to read and speak again and with a long arduous road of therapy he began to walk again. He improved so much that he was able to write a new album ‘Home Again’ (2007) and play shows all over the world. During his recovery Grace started to write a book about the emotional and physical impact on the family. ‘Falling and Laughing: The Restoration Of Edwyn Collins’ is an intimate and inspiring account of what you do to survive when your husband is all but taken away without warning by a stroke. ‘Punk Fiction’ is Janine Bullman’s anthology of fiction inspired by the Punk movement. Short stories and poems are shared from an impressive line up of hand-picked contributors from a range of generations that were at the forefront or were influenced by the punk revolution. Music journalist Cathi Unsworth, author of ‘Show Me The Sky’ Nicholas Hogg, poet and singer Salena Godden, the brains behind Lightspeed Champion Dev Hynes and director and writer Lee Bullman all join music PR and editor of the book, Janine Bullman, in explaining their song choice that inspired them to get involved and forge a path in writing and playing music. This will be an incredible addition to the Literary Arena which also features readings from Blake Morrison, School Of Life , Robin Ince’s Book Club, David Peace, Mark Steel and Vivienne Westwood amongst many others. If you want to experience something entirely different then seek out Latitude’s quirky den of mischief and mayhem; the Cabaret Arena. Inside you will witness comedy sketch shows, burlesque, freak shows, drag queens, sing-a-longs, illusionists and much, much more. With Vaudeville fun, sharp, incisive wit, camp entertainment and a good ol’ fashioned knees up, the Cabaret Arena positively encourages you to leave your inhibitions at the door and be game for anything and everything. This surreal bordello of surprises and spectacular stage shows is visually rich, beautiful and bizarre and will tempt and titillate in equal measure. Ever dreamt of 1950’s pin up girls bursting out of giant cakes and bathing in champagne? Britain ’s famous Whoopee Club will make your dreams come true live in the Cabaret Arena. Established in 2003 and having performed at various events such as the Hackney Empire and the V&A museum, the Whoopee Club will bring joie de vivre back into our hearts through their fusion of burlesque and theatre. Diminutive comedy burlesque star Fancy Chance is a hilarious yet irreverent glamorous tassel twirler from Korea via America . Coming from a background of cabaret, theatre and performance arts she was brought into ‘nouveau burlesque’ by legendary Miss Indigo Blue. Earlier this year she added to her wonderful career a winning title of the infamous Alternative Miss World award. “The undoubtable star… At times the coquette and at times the seductress, (she) steals the show…” – The Stage eKat is Russian born and raised Ekaterina ‘Miss Coney Island 2007’. Now living in New York City , she has been performing since she put her first pair of fake eyelashes on aged just five years old. Her fabulous aerials, contortions and burlesque dancing routines have taken her from the pages of FHM magazine to the glittering lights of Off-Broadway. This time you won’t have to go to Coney Island to experience her fantastic energy live. Born from the ashes of the Perverted Turkeys, Avis Cockbill and Janine Fletcher form The Two Wrongies. Together they re-interpret the classic double act in a witty, crude and sarcastic way that is so natural to women. Their absurdist humour and onstage relationship is not for the faint-hearted. They create work with comic prowess, inspired choreographed moments and a considered visual impact… they are ‘the double act who dare to do the dirty! Canadian-born Ima Doll will grace the Cabaret stage with her sexy innovative pole dancing. Combining a wonderful selection of music with her powerful, strong routine, Ima’s twirling acrobatics will prove why she is the next best thing when it comes to exotic dancing. Russella is a Drag-Queen Supermodel. Her grace and style has featured in a number of fashion magazines and music videos. Her most recent glamorous appearance is on Paloma Faith’s video ‘Stone Cold Sober’. Russella is an experienced dancer and cabaret performer that Time Out has described as ‘‘nothing short of fabulous'’. Beaux Belles are an all female dance troupe, their name is inspired by the Bow Bells of London and the famous Parisian dance troupe The Bluebell Girls. All professional dancers, they have performed tap dancing and burlesque routines for numerous high profile events. Their show never fails to entertain and impress and at the same time they seek to subvert the traditional expectations of showgirls, transforming them into an emblem of female power. Cabaret star and burlesque choreographer Miss Lady G Luck always surprises the audience with her astonishing fire-breathing Egyptian curse or performing her incredible aerial rope act. Catch her in this den of iniquity! Tightrope walker, Simon Deville, was originally with NoFit State Circus. His daring, high-wire routine is the first to be seen at Latitude. Des O'Connor, a comic whose lyrics are offset by his Ukelele skills, will be bringing his unique humour and musical talent to the Cabaret Arena alongside famed burlesque, drag queens, and comedy sketch shows. Elsewhere, the very best in film, theatre, comedy, literature, poetry, dance, art and cabaret will be pitching up at the fourth edition of Latitude Festival. Sadler’s Wells and the Royal Opera House will be showcasing stunning performances on The Waterfront Stage; Royal Shakespeare Company, The Bush, National Theatre, Paines Plough, and nabokov plus more will all be coming to the Theatre Arena along with the English Touring Theatre presenting Latitude’s first musical ‘Been So Long’. Also for the first time is the dynamic orchestral brilliance of Britten Sinfonia performing in Latitude’s outdoor spaces. The House Of BlueEyes collective will be presenting a stunning fashion show over the lake at sunset plus stellar poets Andrew Motion, Brian Patten, Jackie Kay and Simon Armitage will be in the Poetry Arena. The Cabaret Arena welcomes Pippa Evans, Ida Barr, Dusty Limits, Johnny Woo, Timberlina, David Mills and Watson & Oliver plus plenty more exciting performances to announce. Weekend tickets £150 plus booking fees • Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £60 plus booking fee. Weekend tickets prices include car parking and camping • Days include car parking only. Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821
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Comment Posted on: June 3, 2009, 07:14 PM
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