From left to right: Jack Dee, myself, Rory Bremner, Colin Sell, Tony Hawks and Pippa Evans.
Apologies for the poor quality photo and for my silly expression, I was starstruck and a bit in awe. This was after a live recording of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue in Manchester a few months ago.
These people have always been *the* absolute stars in my life. Both I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and The News Quiz got me through quite a difficult spots in my life, and they’re always on my phone for relistening no matter how many times I’ve heard them before.
So you can imagine I was absolutely floored when not just one, but *all* of the cast from that night came out the back of the theatre and were more than happy to say hello. Colin Sell, the series’ long-suffering pianist, came out first followed by the rest of the cast.
I didn’t want to disturb their evening, but they were in a jolly mood and off to the pub. They happily took a few photos with me and a nice chat.
I was always a fan of Jeremy Hardy and was pretty devastated when he passed, so I’ve made it a habit to ask about him if I ever run into anyone he’d worked with before. Jack Dee remembered him with a smile and a little sadness, and said he was always wonderful to work with. He said that he was a terrible giggler while live, so the edit had its work cut out getting the best deadpan out of him. He meant this as a compliment of course. Late last year I also had the luck of bumping into Miles Jupp after his Salford show, who also had nothing but nice things to say about the man.
I should say that I don’t bump into celebrities often, but I’ve been very lucky at hanging around outside the stage door after shows like this.
Recordings like I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue are usually more familiar and relaxed affairs for the participants. Only people on the email mail list tend to know when the shows are on, given that it’s the only way to know ticket sales in advance, and the audience that stands around the stage door tends to be friendly and respectful.
Which is probably why somebody as high profile as Jack Dee was happy to roll out the door with the cast, with everyone in a good mood. Colin Sell jokingly told me to tag along to the pub, saying it was easy to blag a free drink off of Jack once he’d had a few. Pippa Evans happily shared some singing tips with my wife.
It reminded me of the first ISIHAC recording I had the luck of attending in Stockport a few years ago. Outside the main entrance, Andy Hamilton was waiting for his pickup, and I got to shake his hand. Milton Jones made a mad jog across the road to catch his bus. The Producer, Job Naismith, packed cue cards into his car and accidentally ran over an orange cone, which he had a laugh about.
Basically imagine the most British, casual and cosy theatre show possible. Highly recommended. If you join the free email list, you’ll get sent the list of upcoming recordings before time.
I didn’t recognise Jack Dee at all and I’m left to wonder whether it’s because I’ve never seen him smile before
Very disappointed at the lack of Paul Chuckle.
I adore ISIHAC. It’s wonderful to hear these people were so nice. I hope you enjoyed the recording too
I’m so glad to hear they go to the pub afterwards sometimes.
6 comments
From left to right: Jack Dee, myself, Rory Bremner, Colin Sell, Tony Hawks and Pippa Evans.
Apologies for the poor quality photo and for my silly expression, I was starstruck and a bit in awe. This was after a live recording of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue in Manchester a few months ago.
These people have always been *the* absolute stars in my life. Both I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and The News Quiz got me through quite a difficult spots in my life, and they’re always on my phone for relistening no matter how many times I’ve heard them before.
So you can imagine I was absolutely floored when not just one, but *all* of the cast from that night came out the back of the theatre and were more than happy to say hello. Colin Sell, the series’ long-suffering pianist, came out first followed by the rest of the cast.
I didn’t want to disturb their evening, but they were in a jolly mood and off to the pub. They happily took a few photos with me and a nice chat.
I was always a fan of Jeremy Hardy and was pretty devastated when he passed, so I’ve made it a habit to ask about him if I ever run into anyone he’d worked with before. Jack Dee remembered him with a smile and a little sadness, and said he was always wonderful to work with. He said that he was a terrible giggler while live, so the edit had its work cut out getting the best deadpan out of him. He meant this as a compliment of course. Late last year I also had the luck of bumping into Miles Jupp after his Salford show, who also had nothing but nice things to say about the man.
I should say that I don’t bump into celebrities often, but I’ve been very lucky at hanging around outside the stage door after shows like this.
Recordings like I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue are usually more familiar and relaxed affairs for the participants. Only people on the email mail list tend to know when the shows are on, given that it’s the only way to know ticket sales in advance, and the audience that stands around the stage door tends to be friendly and respectful.
Which is probably why somebody as high profile as Jack Dee was happy to roll out the door with the cast, with everyone in a good mood. Colin Sell jokingly told me to tag along to the pub, saying it was easy to blag a free drink off of Jack once he’d had a few. Pippa Evans happily shared some singing tips with my wife.
It reminded me of the first ISIHAC recording I had the luck of attending in Stockport a few years ago. Outside the main entrance, Andy Hamilton was waiting for his pickup, and I got to shake his hand. Milton Jones made a mad jog across the road to catch his bus. The Producer, Job Naismith, packed cue cards into his car and accidentally ran over an orange cone, which he had a laugh about.
Basically imagine the most British, casual and cosy theatre show possible. Highly recommended. If you join the free email list, you’ll get sent the list of upcoming recordings before time.
I didn’t recognise Jack Dee at all and I’m left to wonder whether it’s because I’ve never seen him smile before
Very disappointed at the lack of Paul Chuckle.
I adore ISIHAC. It’s wonderful to hear these people were so nice. I hope you enjoyed the recording too
I’m so glad to hear they go to the pub afterwards sometimes.
Wait… Jack Dee has dimples?!?
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