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GETTING TO KNOW HANNIBAL BURESS

Mon 30 April 2012

Hannibal Buress, comedian and writer on legendary US shows 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live is coming to Soho Theatre – comedy fans rejoice! Last week he won Best Club Comic at America’s Comedy Awards and he’s already making waves in London, with his Soho Theatre show being recommended in Time Out, The Guardian Guide, The Times, The Independent and The Sunday Times. Our very excited Press Assistant asked him these questions:

You’ve performed in the UK several times during your career. How would you describe the UK stand up scene as being different from the New York scene?

HB: I’ve actually only been to the UK twice. Both times it was Scotland. My first trip was to Glasgow in 2010 and Edinburgh last year. These were both festival settings so it’s a bit tough to compare the scenes. The Fringe Fest is such an interesting time. It’s long and rainy and you can become very sick of your material. I’m doing it again this year although I’m not really sure why.

The thing that I really appreciate about doing comedy in the UK is that there isn’t any drink service during the show so you have the audience’s full attention. You do intervals so the crowd has time to talk and drink between acts. In America, there’s a thing called “the check spot” where the entire crowd is getting their bills and you still are on stage performing while everyone is distracted. It’s one of my least favourite things about performing comedy.

Are there any names from the UK comedy scene you find inspiring?

HB: I enjoy Stewart Lee, Alex Horne, Gina Yashere, and Stephen Merchant. There’s lots of others that I like, but I can’t think of them now and I want to finish this email interview ASAP so that I can get it to you and you can put it right up on the website.

You’ve written on some legendary comedy TV shows, including 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live. What’s it like working with internationally renowned writers and performers?

HB: It’s really great. Both of those writing staffs had some really funny smart people and I learned a lot from them.

You’re well known for your writing credits and your stand up. Do you have any aspirations to pursue an acting career?

HB: I would like to act. I’ve done some small roles in 30 Rock and other things. I think for me to have a lead role in a film, I’d have to write it myself.

What can we expect from your upcoming shows at Soho Theatre?

HB: You can expect to book a ticket and have a seat and watch a man talk into a microphone about various subjects for about an hour or so. Then I’ll stop.

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