Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP)

RETRO RHLSTP #79 - Away or Towards? - A weary Richard films the audience as evidence of dissent for the future fascist government of the UK, before introducing a man who comes with his own magical minor ticker tape parade, David Cross. Starstruck and clearly in disbelieving awe, Rich flounders around and mainly embarrasses himself, but luckily Mr Cross is able to come up with some amazing riffed comedy about frozen vegetables, Abraham and taking cocaine near President Obama, whilst getting a bit more serious about Donald Trump, the responsibilities of fatherhood, why Richard should probably not take hard drugs, the benefits of the middle-aged sketch show and David’s part in the creation of kickstarter.

Richard hoped that he would so impress David that they would become good friends and could appear in Doctor Doolittle 3 together as method-acted monkeys, but I think it’s safe to say that that will not happen. Cross put away an impressive amount of bitter during this podcast and still remains focused and coherent, but clearly needed the toilet near the end, which turns into a battle of the obstinately pedantic 1990s underrated sketch show stars.

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

Check out our website http://rhlstp.co.uk

See details of the RHLSTP tour dates http://richardherring.com/gigs

Buy DVDs and Books at http://gofasterstripe.com

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Book Club #91 - Bird - Rich is in Canterbury where everyone is up in arms about the Silent Disco, but saying nothing about the Canterbury Tales. His guests are charmingly giddy husband and wife Jim and Nancy Moir. And though there is some chat about the artist formerly known as Vic Reeves’ book, they also discuss the dream job of Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir, the Marmite Museum, painting in the nude, dancing for Instagram, appearing in Love Actually, being the face of Pampers, having fun in and out of the Australian jungle and the mystery of Jim’s ghostly encounter is finally solved.

Buy Birds here https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/birds-the-sunday-times-bestseller-jim-moir/7040075?ean=9781800182028

Come and see RHLSTP on tour http://richardherring.com/rhlstp

See Rich's stand-up tour Can I Have My Ball Back - https://richardherring.com/ballback/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#497 Shoe Horn - Richard is in Northampton and astonished to hear the place once burnt down (as well as the stuff that makes the papers). HIs guest is actor and character comedian Jon Pointing. They chat about not sampling the thing you’re advertising, the tricky nature of the double act (especially with your brother-in-law), the surprising depths of his BAFTA nominated performance in Big Boys, playing out of character in the new series Smothered and his early foray into gangster films. He also brings Richard gifts (it’d be nice if all the guests did that) and has some pertinent questions about the suncream armpit.

See Rich's stand-up tour Can I Have My Ball Back - https://richardherring.com/ballback/

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Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL

See extra content at our WEBSITE

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RETRO RHLSTP #78 - Minstrels - Richard is worried about the psychological impact of Winnie the Pooh's skull being on display in a museum, but overcomes his fears long enough to introduce ex-philosophy student Aisling Bea. Find out what it's like making love to Enya, whether a degree still counts if you cheated all the way through your studies, how trying to impress someone by riding a horse can leave you in the shit, and some baffling Irish references that must have been doubly confusing for the man who had come from India to see the show.

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

Check out our website http://rhlstp.co.uk

See details of the RHLSTP tour dates http://richardherring.com/gigs

Buy DVDs and Books at http://gofasterstripe.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #90 - Killing Thatcher - Rich talks to journalist Rory Carroll about his fascinating account of the Brighton Bombing of 1984, Killing Thatcher. They discuss the importance of maintaining balance in the account of this true event, to truly understand motivations, how telling the story through the eyes of some of the major figures in the political situation, the terrorist attack and the police investigation brings it to life, the human and sometimes humorous details that make it resonate even more and the extraordinary plot that came within feet of wiping out the UK government. Plus the remarkable journalism required to uncover the facts and the fantastic writing that makes this a page turning thriller. This is Richard’s favourite book of 2023 and is now out in paperback - so don’t miss it.

Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/killing-thatcher-the-ira-the-manhunt-and-the-long-war-on-the-crown-rory-carroll/7364190?ean=9780008476694

Or the audiobook here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Killing-Thatcher-Manhunt-Long-Crown/dp/B0BN4L6XQV

Come and see RHLSTP on tour http://richardherring.com/rhlstp

See Rich's stand-up tour Can I Have My Ball Back - https://richardherring.com/ballback/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#496 Julia Sawalha’s Well - Richard has great news about his (pre-breakfast) weight (which may no longer be true by time of broadcast). And in another attempt to get some closure for his romantic past, his guest is fantastic actress and ex-partner, Julia Sawalha. They talk about the impact of Press Gang and the gruelling audition process, working with Rik Mayall and Michael Palin (not at the same time), the process by which Absolutely Fabulous developed and brilliant casting that led to its success and how Julia won Stars in Their Eyes after zero sleep thanks to a Coronation Street actress throwing chairs around. There may be some mention of the relationship, the embarrassment of watching Fist of Fun with Richard’s dad, Rich and Julia’s shared spirit guide, the extraordinary nicknames of her former partners (including Richard’s), some controversy and disagreement about how they broke up and the drunken fights and near death experiences of the Time Gentlemen Please cast. Plus an amazing ghost story and the surprising recasting of a movie sequel. This really has everything. Don’t miss it.

See RHLSTP on tour- http://richardherring.com/rhlstp

See Rich's stand-up tour Can I Have My Ball Back - https://richardherring.com/ballback/

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL

See extra content at our WEBSITE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RETRO RHLSTP #77 - How To Twerk - Richard is marvelling about a new interpretative dance based on “All You Need is Love” but soon he will be dancing himself with brilliant new comedian and writer, Sophie Willan.

They talk about how a trip to Ibiza with your techno-loving gran can ignite a love of theatre, what Rylan is like in real life, the therapeutic nature of stand up (and whether it’s healthy to work things through on stage), the intersection between madness and comedy, growing up in and out of care, thinking Richard Ashcroft is your dad and why comedy and theatre are so middle class. Plus is it always best to be in a monogamous relationship and how much is comedy like sex work? If you’ve seen Richard dancing, then not very much.

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

Check out our website http://rhlstp.co.uk

See details of the RHLSTP tour dates http://richardherring.com/gigs

Buy DVDs and Books at http://gofasterstripe.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #89 - The Stranger Times - Richard meets former stand up and now best selling novelist Caimh Mcdonnell to talk about all of his many books, but specifically the Stranger Times series. They discuss the frustrations of writing for TV, a top tip to move towards writing a novel, how a memory of a forgotten sitcom script led to the creation of this series, making Manchester the star, using a comedian as inspiration for one of the characters, selling TV rights and retaining control over your work by setting up your own company and publishing house, as well as using more traditional avenues. A fantastic success story and lots of great advice for your own writing.

Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-stranger-times-the-stranger-times-1-c-k-mcdonnell/6412054?ean=9780552177344

Or the audiobook here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Stranger-Times/dp/B08LHCJ9T5/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Come and see RHLSTP on tour http://richardherring.com/rhlstp

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#495 Speared by a Moose - Richard is still in Norwich and has more local news and celebrates the city’s most famous son. His guest is the phenomenon that is Joe Pasquale. In the chat Joe reveals more than any guest has done before, literally and physically as he recounts many tales of clumsiness and accident, including how he nearly died the perfect comedy bath (again literally), the funniest telling of a having a badly broken leg after being run over, how a flight with the Red Arrows ended in excruciating pain and an upsetting encounter with some bum grapes. Plus how Ken Dodd helped the young Pasquale become a hit, the boredom of I’m a Celebrity, an amazing story about what happens if you piss off (or piss on) Christopher Dean, how a comic real life explosion led to Joe playing Frank Spencer, a legendary episode of Doctors and connecting with his son. It’s an amazing podcast from a terrifically funny man. Don’t miss it.

See RHLSTP on tour- http://richardherring.com/rhlstp

See Rich's stand-up tour Can I Have My Ball Back - https://richardherring.com/ballback/

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL

See extra content at our WEBSITE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RETRO RHLSTP #76 -  Improvisation My Dear (Mark) Watson - Richard is reeling from forgetting about his daughter and another attack on his home (how will he ever sell it?), but excited to be welcoming the eponymous star of Improvisation My Dear Mark Watson to the stage and hoping to talk about nothing but that title for a full hour. Alas he gets distracted into discussing aversion to non-binding cheese; how thunder storms are the UK's biggest killer; advertising pear cider, and the criticisms that engendered; and Watson's love of dry stone-walling. Richard continues to try and pinpoint where having sex with a machine counts as infidelity and tries to encourage Mark to enact some of his fans' sexual fantasies. Also find out why Watson was the Rachel Dolezal of Wales.

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

Check out our website http://rhlstp.co.uk

See details of the RHLSTP tour dates http://richardherring.com/gigs

Buy DVDs and Books at http://gofasterstripe.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.