Ballads. Bromance. Baubles. The Christmas show you've all been waiting for... in September! The show takes two titans of light entertainment, two icons of theatre, two award-winning behemoths of the modern age, and brings them together to play Michael Ball and Alfie Boe. Edinburgh Comedy Award-winners Adam Riches and John Kearns team up to become one of music's most bang-able duos. Expect songs. Anticipate goosebumps. Pray for harmonies. 'The single funniest hour I've spent in a theatre all year' ***** (Telegraph). ***** (Times). *****(Chortle.co.uk). ***** (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk).
Ahead of a show at Soho Theatre in Walthamstow we sat down with Adam Riches to learn more.
What can you tell me about Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE ‘Ball & Boe’?
It's pretty much what it says on the tin. Two award-winning comedians play two giants of musical theatre and opera in an hour of ballads, banter and bromance. Five-star reviews, sold out runs, the duo themselves coming along and joining us onstage, I mean what more do you want?
Where did the idea for this show originate?
We both found ourselves watching one of their tv specials way back in 2017, where alongside them belting out songs, they did comedy skits and exchanges both together and with their guests that reminded us of the shows we grew up on and (as professional comedians!), aren't allowed to make today. From there we started messaging each other 'as them', went to see them live, mentioned in interviews that it was our next project (it wasn't) and carried on this charade oblivious until the Soho Theatre called our bluff and asked us to do it as their Christmas show in 2024.
How did the collaboration with John Kearns start?
We've known each other for a while, from the comedy circuit. I cast John in a play I wrote called 'Coach Coach’ that we performed back in 2015. We've been friends ever since.
How did you approach developing the show?
The worst way you could ever start a project, title first! Fortunately, it was a good title that we both felt automatically prepped people for what they were about to see. As for what that would be...well, we knew we didn't want it to be mean-spirited. We didn't want to spend an hour just taking pot shots at them. We wanted to celebrate who they are and focus on what we felt was their USP, their old school camaraderie. That dynamic harks back to the great double acts of the past. So, we just looked at taking the characters they already presented, before exaggerating them for comic effect.
How did you navigate finding your own versions of Ball and Boe?
First, we had to decide on who would be playing who. Our first idea was that we would rotate roles, but we soon ditched that when we saw how much work that would take! We watched a lot of interviews, read a lot of books, talked a lot about their backgrounds and pathways into their respective careers. That helped give us an imagined core to each of their personalities that they present 'onstage', a drive, a reason. We did a little improvisation, expanding and enhancing on the bits we felt had the most comedic and dramatic potential. Layered all this stuff together, all the while reaching for the silliest ideas we could, until we were naturally able to find the sweet spot.
How would you describe the style of the show?
Slick, stupid, funny and original, with the warmest of hearts. The challenge we gave ourselves was to create the funniest, silliest characters, that the audience would genuinely be able to feel something for. If we could start you off with the stupidest premise possible (us playing them) and then fifty minutes later have you care about us, well that could be something special.
When did you know that you wanted to be a comedian?
I wouldn't say it was something I ever wanted to be. I've always seen myself as a writer and actor who just happens to be working in comedy. When I first realised I was a comedian however, was when audiences started laughing at my writing and acting. That proved to be a turning point.
How do you reflect on your comedy career to this point?
I get paid to do the one thing I've only ever wanted to do and have an audience turn up to watch. Everything after that is a bonus.
What advice would you give to any aspiring comedians?
Keep going. Keep writing. Keep pushing yourself into areas where you feel unsure.
What keeps you inspired?
Everyone else. I'm not the type of person who has ever looked sideways in life. We all have our own pathways to wherever it is we're all going. So seeing other people make that simple but incredibly complicated sentiment a reality, that's my inspiration.
What do you want someone to take away from seeing Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE ‘Ball & Boe’?
That unique and all too rare feeling of a good time. Live performance is the greatest medium of them all. We know that from the time when it was taken away from us. This show celebrates that. Always look to be in the room where it happened.
Where and when can audiences see the show?
Soho Theatre Walthamstow, Saturday 27th September, at 7.30pm. https://sohotheatre.com/events/adam-riches-and-john-kearns-are-ball-boe-2/
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