Latitude 2017
Is Daniel Simonsen the world's least prolific stand-up comedian? While other comics come up with a new show every year Simonsen has been relatively quiet since he won the Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2012. He appeared in Vic and Bob's sitcom House of Fools, but he doesn't seem to have been that busy outside the live circuit.
New Zealand's Rose Matafeo isn't really a stand-up comedian at all. She is simply a force of nature. A whirlwind in human form ready to whip up a comedy storm from the moment she walks on and sends up her own speccy appearance.
Her short Latitude set was an impressive showcase of her various talents, from physical clowning to off-the-wall mini-sketches. It was equally daft and deft as she moved through the gears building up to frequent big laughs.
I find Adam Hess extremely funny but I wonder if he needs help. Maybe of the therapy kind or maybe of the directorial kind. Or maybe both. He is the kind of nerdy, neurotic comedian who cracks so many jokes it is sometimes hard to keep up with him. Particularly during the day at a festival in the sun where you might not have had a lot of sleep and are feeling a little delicate.
If you are a comedian with a posh background I guess you can either attempt to hide it or embrace it. For a while Jack Whitehall tried on other personae onstage. I saw him in a Stewart Lee phase and a Russell Brand phase. But he only really found his voice when he drew on who he really was and started to do material as an unashamed privileged posho.
The second day of comedy at Latitude was headlined by Reginald D Hunter. A month ago he broke his leg and since then he has been performing in a wheelchair. "I celebrated 20 years of being in England by breaking my ass," he quipped. Sit-down comedy doesn't seem to be holding him back though. He was as funny and thoughtful ever. Although if that really was vodka he was drinking I hope he was not breathalysed after he wheeled himself offstage.
I've seen Brennan Reece four or five times now and I'm still not sure if he is gay or straight. He is certainly camp but not overtly so. Although maybe the waspish aside that he likes putting willies in his mouth is a bit of a clue. Or maybe not.
This year's Latitude Festival boasts one of the best bills yet. The music headliners include Fleet Foxes and The 1975, but there is also so much more to Latitude, with something for all tastes from 13th - 16th July in the grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk.
Dara O Briain, Katherine Ryan and Simon Amstell have been revealed as the comedy headliners appearing at the Latitude Festival this year.
Latitude Festival takes place on 13th - 16th July in the grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk.
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