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Janice Forsyth taps into the funny business in Scotland and worldwide with all that's new in comedy on radio, TV, the movies, DVD, books, online and live performances

The Comedy Café: 17/12/2010

17/12/2010

BBC Radio Scotland - The Comedy Café, 17/12/2010

Norman Pace and Graham Bickley join Janice Forsyth to talk about The Secret Garden musical

Norman Pace and Graham Bickley join Janice Forsyth to talk about making the transition from comedy to 'serious' performing, and their part in the musical of The Secret Garden.

As a classic of children's literature, Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden" is often both dark in atmosphere and intense in emotion. A story of childhood loss and love it's a far cry from the former comedy roles of two of its cast members - Norman Pace, one half of comedy duo "Hale & Pace", and Graham Bickley of BBC hit sitcom "Bread". They join Janice Forsyth to talk about making the transition from comedy to 'serious' performing, and their part in this Tony Award-winning musical adaptation. 

The double act has been a staple of British comedy from Flanders & Swann to French & Saunders and its popularity shows no signs of waning. So how do today's comedy duo's compare to those of the Eric and Ernie tradition? As one half of "Hale & Pace" we get an insider's perspective from Norman Pace. And comedy critic with the London Evening Standard, Bruce Dessau, gives his take on which comedy partnerships have proven a winning formula. 

They're all over primetime TV, flogging dvds, on tour, fronting panel and chat shows, and even turning to non-comedic roles. And with our TV schedules promising a host of funny shows to keep us amused over the festive season are we in danger of over-dosing on comedians? We put it to Bruce Dessau.

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17/12/2010

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