Keep Calman Carry On

Susan Calman is the least relaxed person she knows. She has no downtime, no hobbies (unless you count dressing up your cats in silly outfits), and her idea of relaxation is to play Assassin's Creed, an hour into which she is in a murderous rage with sky-high blood pressure.

Her wife had to threaten to divorce her to make her go on holiday, and she's been told by the same long-suffering wife that unless she finds a way to switch off, and soon, she's going to be unbearable. Susan decided her best bet was to try to immerse herself in the pursuits that her friends find relaxing, to find her inner zen and outer tranquillity.

In the first series of this show she attempted to ditch the old Susan Calman and attempted to find the new 'Susan Calm' by watching cricket with Andy Zaltzman; going hillwalking with Muriel Gray; visiting an art gallery with Phill Jupitus; and taking a spontaneous holiday with John Finnemore. She enjoyed these pursuits but all too soon found herself slipping back into her old ways. So she tried again in Series 2, which involved learning about gardening with Val McDermid, going to a music festival with Robin Ince, trying her hand at baking with the Great British Bake Off's Selasi Gbormittah, and having a go at bird-watching with Emma Kennedy.

Keep Calman Carry On is a stand-up show in front of a live audience, in which Susan reports on how successful she's been - both at relaxing and at the pursuit itself - as well as playing in and discussing a handful of illustrative clips from her efforts. It's an attempt to find out how people find solace or sanctuary in these worlds and how Susan can negotiate her own place in them.

First published: Thursday 2nd August 2018