The John Dredge Show
Published: Monday 16th July 2012
In a recent review, London based comedian John Dredge was likened to Kenny Everett. He's also apparently 'fifth in line to the throne at Woolworths'.
Amongst works, John has appeared in the sell-out run of Dregs at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2011, which The Independent listed as one of the top ten comedy shows not to be missed. He has also written and performed sketches for Absolute Radio on The Max Dickins Show and appeared in Channel 4's online sketch series This Just In with Humphrey Ker. Least we forget John's place in heaven for making a video for Comic Relief hosted by Mrs Stephen Fry.
John's latest podcast creation The John Dredge Nothing To Do With Anything Show has recently been published via various outlets, and is coming soon to BCG too. "It's a very Spike Milligan/Vic Reeves mental type of a show", John tells me. "I do weird voices, and it's full of surreal, bonkers sketches, with peculiar going ons."
There's everything in this show, from a man stealing all the artichokes in the world, to an interview with a Dalek. He elaborates: "It's full of spoofs, sound effects, weird discussions, impressions and generally odd happenings. We have Morrissey and Madonna starring in a soap opera called The Difficults and a man that brings the sea into the studio to talk about it."
John has also had guests joining in on this absurdist nonsense, including the likes of Anna Emerson (recently commissioned by Radio 4 for a new series incidentally). "There's a quiz feature 'Who's Sideboard Is This?' with a celebrity panel, and a guest appearance by a musical farmer who writes experimental songs about livestock."
With a brain like John's, no wonder he was shortlisted for the Cofilmic sketch writing competition this year. He works in other areas too... "I've written sketches for kids TV, shows such as Fast Forward and The Satellite Show. I've also worked with the cutting edge magazine Anorak."
His humour is reminiscent of the Monty Python boys, who he says have been one of the many influences on his own career. So tune in and have a listen if you like 'mental' and enjoy laughing.
Here's a suitable surreal video trailer John has made for the show...
Listen to Episode 1 of The John Dredge Nothing To Do With Anything Show here...
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