Prime Video - All six eps available from Thurs 9 Jun
Curtain raiser: Take a peek at comics away from the stage
We’re used to seeing top comics make us laugh with their stand-up routines – but what happens before and after they go on stage? Katherine Ryan provides the answers in her new series which reveals all the banter, nerves and prep that the public never normally witness.
‘I have a very curious nature that I think they thought was perfect for the show,’ says mum-of-two Katherine. ‘Also, I would hope because of my relationship with these comedians, they would all want to come on and know it wasn’t a wind-up. They knew there were cameras there, but quickly forgot.’
While the series reveals all the action in the dressing rooms, wings and make-up, it also shows Katherine and her head writer, Geoff Norcott, prepping the jokes she’ll use later on to introduce her guests at London’s Roundhouse venue.
First up are Desiree Burch, Seann Walsh, Nick Mohammed and Jimmy Carr. Others featured in the six-part series include Sara Pascoe, Sue Perkins, Rob Beckett, Russell Kane and Sarah Millican.
‘Surprisingly, nothing happened that people didn’t want to be shown. I was really glad to let audiences see that part of comedians. They’re so funny in their real lives, but in such a different way.’
Two backstage moments stood out…
‘Frankie Boyle eating a banana in his dressing room, or using the lint roller gently on his suit jacket – we see a more tender Frankie Boyle than people would have anticipated,’ says Katherine, whose son was a few weeks old during filming.
‘I was also so emotional about seeing Jo Brand on stage that I got breast milk all over my dress. I had to run backstage and fix it. But Joel Dommett can lactate for some reason – he took his shirt off and said, “Don’t worry, Katherine, you’re not alone,” and lactated on camera!’