Jo Brand - exciting addition for Henley Festival
June 2009
Last minute programme change sees "best female comic in Britain" perform on the riverbank.
A last minute programme change at The Henley Festival sees the fabulous Jo Brand appearing at the Sunday night Riverside Cabaret (12th July). Says the Festival's Artistic Director, Stewart Collins, "I love it when we can deliver last minute surprises like this - and this one is pretty much as good as they get. Jo Brand is a hugely popular comedienne and a genuine household name: in fact I see that the Daily Mirror has hailed her as the 'best female comic in Britain'. Given that she is absolutely the last act on at this year's festival, we really will go out with a bang!"
Since leaving her job as a psychiatric nurse in 1987, Jo Brand has built a large following across the UK, starring in such series' as Through the Cakehole and All the Way to Worcester for Channel 4. She has also made numerous appearances on such eclectic programmes as Question Time, Nevermind the Buzzcocks, and They Think It's All Over for the BBC and Countdown for Channel 4. She has also presented Jo Brand's Commercial Breakdown BBC1, and Jo Brand's Rudest Home Videos, ITV1 and recently guest hosted Have I Got News For You.
However, it's a live audience Jo really loves. Having been a nurse Jo feels that she likes people and likes nothing more than being able to have a chat with them whilst on stage. To her, as she says, "nothing tops the thrill" of a live performance. Sussed, polemic, deceptively droll, with razor-sharp perspective on all that is sexist, and sizeist, her popularity is well deserved. There won't be many of her fans in the region who will want to miss her appearance at Henley. As The Independent remarked of a previous Jo Brand performance, "Her act contains more swearing and sexual references than the entire work of Tarantino and Cronenberg put together ... But like a ravenous crowd in front of a table full of cream cakes, they simply scoffed the lot."
Jo Brand will replace Rich Hall on the Festival's last night (12th July). Also appearing as part of the show will be brilliant stand up Andy Robinson, who has toured with Jo Brand frequently in the past. Andy promises a musical element to his show and "some rather fine jokes" to go with it! Watch this space!
Henley Festival 2009 runs from 8th-12th July. For more information visit www.henley-festival.co.uk or contact the box office on 01491 843404.
Generous sponsors of this year's Festival include: Invesco Perpetual, Westcoast, Laurent-Perrier champagne, Lavazza, Hotel du Vin, Southern Electric.
