The Mayor and His Daughter interviewed

The Mayor and his daughter are in crisis. The soul of their beloved village is in tatters, besieged by the demonic forces of modern Britain. But there’s a light in the darkness. When they discover a sacred tome – a boxset of Russell Howard’s Good News (Series 2) – they make it their mission to repair their fractured community with laughter, by performing a genuine appreciation of comedy. Joz Norris, who directed the show, asks The Mayor some questions:

Joz: Russell Howard has come to see the show and demands an explanation as to how it corresponds to his ouvre. What is your response?

The Mayor: Although we are NOT a Russell Howard tribute act, we ARE performing comedy in exactly the same style and with the exact same purpose that has defined his life’s work (ridding England of demons). We are confident that WHEN, not IF, Howard appears at our show, he will recognise himself in every beat.

We often talked in rehearsal about trying to establish an inner logic to the Mayor and his Daughter’s world and their story, so that we could then break it or hide it. To what extent do you think it’s important that your audience understands what’s going on?

We do not believe this is an issue, as the subject matter of our show (using DVDs to combat the demonic forces of modern Britain) is inherently relatable to anyone who has been to/heard/seen a photo of England.

In fact, the goal of you – Joz – the director – was to make the show MORE confusing, as one of our stretch goals for the Fringe is to be Subtle™️.

Seriously though, what WOULD you do if a demon came into the show? Like, actually? Do you have a robust action plan in place?

This varies audience to audience. Farfalle audiences are gentle and submissive, acquiescing to whatever jokes the demon tells. Penne audiences are robust, wrestling the demon to the ground upon entry. Macaroni audiences are obtuse and refuse point blank to understand the demon’s cultural references.

We don’t know yet what a rigatoni audience would do. I pray to god that we never find out.

What do you think each other’s perspective or voice or way of working brings out in your approach that you wouldn’t necessarily find if you were working alone?

My daughter has an irrepressible need to explore the enormous playground which is life. I, on the other hand, am very good at admin. Together these twin polls cover all requisite skills for writing / performing Professional Sketch Comedy.

What is an unresolved bit of business or an unanswered question from this show that you think you might carry over and explore in your next piece of work?

The one thing missing from this show is a sequence where we treat the audience to a simple array of moving shapes and colours. Don’t count your chickens, but this could easily be the basis for our next hour!

The Mayor and His Daughter: A Genuine Appreciation of Comedy is at Assembly Roxy at 4:10pm until 24th August. EdFringe.com

Joz Norris: You Wait. Time Passes. is at Pleasance Dome at 7:10pm until 24th August. EdFringe.com