Daphne (comedy)

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Daphne
MediumTheatre, radio, television
NationalityBritish
Years active2014–present
GenresComedy, sketch comedy, dark comedy, slapstick, music hall, vaudeville
Notable works and rolesDaphne Sounds Expensive (BBC Radio 4)
MembersPhil Wang
George Fouracres
Jason Forbes
Websitewww.daphnecomedy.co.uk

Daphne is a British comedy trio made up of comedians Jason Forbes, Phil Wang and George Fouracres.[1]

Together they are the creators, writers and stars of the BBC Radio 4 series Daphne Sounds Expensive.[2]

Background[edit]

Forbes, Wang and Fouracres met while studying at the University of Cambridge,[3] where they were members of the famous Cambridge Footlights,[4] co-writing and performing in the 50th annual Cambridge Footlights' Revue, which toured both the UK and the United States.[5]

The group 'Daphne' officially formed in September 2014 when the trio began hosting a comedy night called Nova Nova, every other month at the Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone, where they trialled their new material alongside guests, including British comedians Harry Hill and James Acaster.[6]

Daphne went on to win the London Sketchfest's prize for 'Best New Act' in 2015.[7] Their first Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, Daphne Do Edinburgh, was critically acclaimed[8] and Daphne were nominated for the 2015 Foster's (formerly Perrier) Award for 'Best Newcomer'.[9][10][11]

Style and influences[edit]

In an interview with Comedy Blogedy, Daphne cited an eclectic range of figures who have had an influence on their style from many different genres, various eras and from several parts of the world. The group is heavily influenced by music hall and old vaudeville;[12] and, in their "Goon Show-esque"[13] BBC Radio 4 show, Daphne Sounds Expensive, they are accompanied by a live nine-piece band.[14]

Radio[edit]

Daphne Sounds Expensive (BBC Radio 4)[edit]

In February 2016, the BBC announced that Daphne would be bringing a "Goon Show-esque" comedy called Daphne Sounds Expensive to BBC Radio 4,[15] with the first episode airing on 14 July 2016.[16] The series consists of four thirty-minute episodes.[17]

Daphne Sounds Expensive was shortlisted for the 'Best Radio Sketch Show' award at the Comedy.co.uk Awards 2016.[18] Radio 4 commissioned a second series which it would broadcast from 13 July 2017.[19][20][21]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Daphne were the winners of London Sketchfest's prize for 'Best New Act' in 2015,[7] and their debut Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, Daphne Do Edinburgh, was nominated for the 2015 Foster's (formerly Perrier) Award for 'Best Newcomer'.[9][11][22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Brian Logan. "Edinburgh festival 2015: 10 comedy acts to watch | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  2. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Daphne Sounds Expensive". BBC. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  3. ^ "who? | Daphne | Sketch comedy from Phil Wang, Jason Forbes & George Fouracres". Daphnecomedy.co.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  4. ^ "The Company - Footlights International Tour 2012". Footlightstour.soc.srcf.net. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Dates - Footlights International Tour 2012". Footlightstour.soc.srcf.net. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Nova Nova | Daphne | Sketch comedy from Phil Wang, Jason Forbes & George Fouracres". Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-09.
  7. ^ a b "Seven sketch comedy shows to see at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe". Timeout.com. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Best reviewed Edinburgh Fringe shows 2015 - 2015 Edinburgh Fringe - British Comedy Guide". Comedy.co.uk. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Foster's Edinburgh Comedy awards shortlist announced". BBC News. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  10. ^ "Record 8 nominees for Edinburgh Comedy Award : News 2015 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". Chortle.co.uk. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Best Newcomer - Edinburgh Comedy Aw". Comedyawards.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  12. ^ "Interview with Daphne". Comedyblogedy.com. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  13. ^ Sioned Wiliam (16 February 2016). "Radio 4's Comedy Commissioner announces a raft of new commissions - Media Centre". BBC. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  14. ^ "Daphne Sounds Expensive - Radio 4 Sketch Show - British Comedy Guide". Comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  15. ^ Sioned Wiliam (16 February 2016). "Radio 4's Comedy Commissioner announces a raft of new commissions - Media Centre". BBC. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  16. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Daphne Sounds Expensive, Malaysia". BBC. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  17. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Daphne Sounds Expensive - Episode guide". BBC. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  18. ^ "Comedy.co.uk Awards 2016 - News - British Comedy Guide". comedy.co.uk. 16 January 2017.
  19. ^ "Daphne Sounds Expensive | BBC Radio 4". bbc.co.uk.
  20. ^ "Daphne Sounds Expensive | British Comedy Guide". comedy.co.uk.
  21. ^ "Daphne - Official Website". daphnecomedy.co.uk.
  22. ^ "Record 8 nominees for Edinburgh Comedy Award : News 2015 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". Chortle.co.uk. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.