It’s William Caulfield, So It Is
Whole lotta laughs: William Caulfield
“CONTEMPORARY life in Northern Ireland told from the perspective of larger-than-life characters like Lily O’Condriac, drunk Willy Simpson, trade unionist Billy Hulk and Orange Lil, who goes about in a Union Jack dress defending the tradition she was raised in.”
William Caulfield describes his new radio show It’s William Caulfield So It Is - in which, naturally, he plays all the characters - and sounds very excited indeed.
“We discuss everything from the London 2012 Olympics to phone hacking.
“It’s a mix of sketches and standup really. Then we have special guests like Dame Mary Peters, Brian Kennedy, the DUP’s Sammy Wilson and Wendy Austin. It’s very, very funny.” He would have to say that but somehow you believe him.
The show was recorded in front of a live studio audience (that’s not canned laughter you’re hearing) and William even dressed up in a variety of bespoke costumes as he switched between characters, the hilarity of which is sadly lost on the airwaves. But the fun of his observations and sendups, always referencing Jimmy Young in their style and mood, is what matters most.
Caulfield has a gentle but no less effective kind of Ulster humour, dilatory and precise, attuned to the local psyche. The Lurgan-born funnyman has an opinion on everything, from new technology to elderly relatives, and he does like to share it.
Caulfield is all go at the minute, working on material for his second standup show, One Step Forward, Two Steps Back (which is pretty much the logic of life, isn’t it?)
“It’s about movement, travel, about my life visiting different places, the people I met and the things that happened to me.
“I came up with the title first and then I sat down and did my best. I think people will enjoy it. I will anyway - I love every minute of being up on stage.”
It’s all go in the life of a famous comedian, then?
“The life of a comedian’ he corrects, humbly.
But surely international fame is beckoning?
It’s William Caulfield, So It Is, starts on BBC Radio Ulster, February 4 at 12pm.
See William’s new standup show One Step Forward, Two Steps Back at the Millennium Forum, Londonderry February 3 (02871 264455; www.millenniumforum.co.uk); Grand Opera House, Belfast, February 5 (02890 241919; www.goh.co.uk); Marketplace Theatre, Armagh, February 9 (02837 521821; www.marketplacearmagh.com); Old Courthouse, Antrim, February 17 (02894 463113;www.antrim.gov.uk/oldcourthouse); Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, February 18 (02892 509254; www.islandartscentre.com); Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen (02866 325440;www.ardhowentheatre.com); Bardic Theatre, Donaghmore, March 31 (02887 725286; www.bardictheatre.com).
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
