Hi Robbie. Who are you and what do you do in comedy?
I write sitcoms, topical one-liners, short stories and sketches. I also love doing impressions and daft voices for The BBC New Comedy Show and occasionally I film my own sketches and put them into the void of social media.
Tell us about how you first became involved in the comedy world.
In 2015 I worked at a local theatre and one day a box of flyers were delivered. They were advertising the BBC New Comedy Show at Radio Norfolk and were asking for anyone with a funny idea to come and join this new programme. For some reason I thought they would only take one person from each area so I took one flyer, left the rest in the box and then hid the box. Check mate, other local comedians.
When I got to BBC Norfolk I was the only person there who didn't have a script; all I had was a dictaphone with a recording of my friend (who couldn't make it that day) and I doing improv characters. We went around the table with each person or group talking through their script and performing it, which is tricky when you're reading it out in a room of strangers who all think they're the funniest person in that room. Me and my little dictaphone were last. I realised having a recording rather than a script was a moment of accidental genius as I didn't have to awkwardly read anything or shuffle pages. I played a couple of minutes of a 40 minute recording and it got laughs.
This moment remains probably the most thrilling moment of my comedy life. For the first time I fully realised I could make a room of people I've never met laugh with something I'd written or conceived of. It's a ridiculously nice feeling.
What's the funniest thing you've ever seen?
A few years ago I went on a weekend trip to Bremen with a friend. On the Sunday he wanted to buy gifts for his family so we went around the shops, but they were closed. We found a sweet shop that was going to open in a hour or so, but then my friend saw someone enter the shop and followed them in. What he didn't realise was that they had entered the building next door and the two entrances were separated by a wall of glass. Just as I tried to point this out to him he walked straight into the glass, practically bounced off it and fell over. The whole street stopped, looked at him and collectively took a sharp intake of breath in a German accent. It was hilarious.
He and the glass were unhurt in case you were worried.
The comedy industry is competitive. Why should people pick you to work with?
Because I'm slightly terrified of wasting other peoples' time if someone gives me notes on a project I get right on fixing the problems. Prompt and timely email response is a vastly underestimated skill in creative worlds, even if it sounds boring as hell.
I have been called "industrious and wise" which seems ridiculous, but who am I to disagree? I respect other people's opinions.
What are your hopes for your current comedy projects?
For the ones I've written to get producers to take an interest in them. Early days, but I'm hopeful. Check them out on BCG's Pitch Centre, we've got;
"Bobby Chambrake's Soccer Skillz"; a sitcom about a deluded retired footballer who becomes a maverick social influencer, alienating his family who see him as an embarrassing touchline dad.
"Myth-taken"; an animated series that educates children aged 7+ about Greek mythology in a fast-paced, whacky adventure filled with monsters, gods and a talking dog.
"Jackie and Paul"; a short form sitcom about an unscrupulous counsellor and her anxious patient as they struggle with each other and their everyday lives.
For the projects in my head I need to get them down and fleshed out. Currently I'm planning a radio sitcom about Lovecraftian monsters and cults so that I have a range of projects in different mediums.
Where would your family be most surprised to find you?
In a room with a dog or cat and not trying desperately to get its' attention.
If a genie offered you one wish, what would you ask for?
Something I'd regret almost instantly like the ability to talk to owls, or a delicious curry that I could've bought anyway.
Published: Friday 9th July 2021