Benny Shakes Thingsup

Episode 8
I am going to be interviewing two Disabled comedians I will be asking them how they cope with their disability in these crazy times.

Victoria Melody is a theatre-maker, anthropologist and comedian. She is a unique storyteller who makes work about Britain's tribes and subcultures. For research she has become a pigeon racer, northern soul dancer, championship dog handler, beauty queen, funeral director, police officer and skipper. She’s an “off – piste comic treat” What’s On Stage and her shows are “fascinating, beautiful and Utterly Human ” Time Out. After being diagnosed as neurodivergent in 2017 she has been collaborating with a neuroscientist to find out what happens in your brain when you tell jokes. This form the basis for her latest show “Professional Stranger”. Her website is www.victoriamelody.com


Since 2005, David Eagle has been a member of three-time BBC Radio 2
Folk Award winning band The Young'uns , well-known for their comedy,
with the Guardian writing in their 5& review: "a rampant humour which
occasionally makes them appear more like standup comedians,
mercilessly mocking one another and involving the audience at every
turn ..." ""The Young’uns were bravely emotional but also very funny,
thanks to the constant banter from Eagle ..."

In 2018, David started performing stand up. He has been crowned New
Comedian Of The Year by Leicester square Theatre and at Bath Comedy
Festival and Nottingham Comedy Festival. He has been nominated as Best
Newcomer at the Chortle Awards. He has opened for award winning
comedians Reginald D Hunter, Tom Wrigglesworth, Adam Bloom and
regularly for Boothby Graffoe. He also starred in Tony Law and Phil
Nichol's improvised 2019 Edinburgh Fringe show.

David is blind, and his comedy often explores how his disability means
the most ordinary, commonplace events are turned into surreal and
convoluted dramas. Occasionally he dons his accordion (often as a
spiteful repost to hecklers) and performs one of his comedy songs,
such as his George Formby parody, described by the Guardian as "a
comic tour de force."

"Constantly hilarious, gag on gag, leaving an audience gasping in
admiration, and applause that goes on for minutes. You’ll be seeing
him on Live at the Apollo before long, guaranteed." (Bath Echo)

"David Eagle is a genuine stand up rookie phenomenon! Looking forward
to hearing more." (Reginald D Hunter)

"just seen the future of stand up comedy and his name is David Eagle"
(Boothby Graffoe)