Character comedian Jo Neary is to launch a podcast in the guise of her cult character Celia Jesson entitled Wife on Earth.
Celia Jesson, a repressed housewife from Upper Lowing, has been encouraged to do a book-based podcast to promote the local library in nearby Lower Upping, because no one else wants to do it. It's too much of a time commitment.
Fortified by the disarming presence of Head Librarian, Marion Crooks (Anna Crilly), Celia's dependable husband Fred (Alastair Kerr) and famous local actors (because they've both been on the tele) Gerard Jeremy (Adam Buxton) and Russell Nigels (Ben Crompton), Celia (Joanna Neary) suppresses her romantic inner life, puts her fantasies aside and tries to keep the book reviews on track. This series tackles Sci-Fi, science, self-help, fantasy, award-winning novels, and modern life, funded entirely by local business.
Anarchic, original and charming character comedy written by Joanna Neary (Ideal, R4's The Art Of Now- Inbox and R3's The Verb) and Joseph Nixon (The Shark Is Broken), with music by Glen Richardson, Paul Mclean and Cornish Rapper Hedluv, and guest stars Paul Putner, Michael Legge and Robin Ince
Joanna Neary originally created her hugely popular character, Celia, in 1997 when a Sussex radio station asked if she could impersonate Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter for an advert for a fee of £10. “I can do pretty much anything for ten pounds” said Jo, rising to the challenge, and after finding it a very fun voice to do, went on develop the character, writing numerous Celia inspired monologues. Celia went on to perform as part of Cosmic Shambles 9 Lessons and Carols for Curious People, the Channel 4 series Dogface, BBC Shuffle, ITV’s Comedy Cuts and Radio 3’s The Verb. After filming a pilot of a chat show with Celia and her Husband Fred for the BBC, Joanna went on to present a critically acclaimed full length Celia show – FaceFul Of Issues – at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Joanna Neary is a writer, performance artist and comedian. Her debut solo comedy show, Joanna Neary is Not Feeling Herself was nominated for the Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2004 and FaceFul of Issues was nominated for Best Show at Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival in 2016. She specialises in her own character comedy shows, which always include interpretive dance.
Trent Burton, Co-Director of Cosmic Shambles says: “Jo Neary has been a much loved part of our annual live show, Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People from the very beginning over a decade ago. Celia has popped in plenty of times over the years too and reduced us to tears of laughter backstage. So we are beyond delighted to be launching her very first podcast series as part of the network.”
The first episode of Wife on Earth is released on November 6. Link here.
