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The PERFORMANCE Issue

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The Izzard King EDDIE IZZARD is a modern master of surreal comedy in the tradition of Monty Python with big plans to conquer the world – but only by cracking jokes in other languages – as J-Magazine discovers WORDS: Jenny Buchholz PHOTOGRAPHY: Frantzesco Kangaris 52 j THE PERFORMANCE ISSUE

PEOPLE EDDIE IZZARD Nationality: British Age: 52 Job: Comedian Other interests: Dressing up as a woman and becoming a future Mayor of London The difference between a ‘dream’ and a ‘plan’ boils down to how determined you are. Today it seems more people than ever dream about ‘making it’ or becoming a ‘superstar’. The more extrovert might take part in talent shows, or post videos on YouTube while those seeking intellectual acclaim write blogs or go to great lengths to get an invite to a TEDx event. But all it takes is a handful of rejections and the majority revert back to a less expectant form of existence and are perhaps satisfied to talk of how they, once upon a time, had a dream. British comedian Eddie Izzard also has his dreams, but more than anything he makes plans. As soon as he has concocted a new plan, he announces it openly, in front of a large audience, to ensure he can be held to ransom for it. Last year, for example, when appearing in Berlin, he promised the audience he would perform his next show in that country in German. Today, Izzard is one of the world’s most popular comics. He regularly takes to the stage in front of thousands of people in venues such as Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl and Wembley Arena, performing to fans that include Prince William, Madonna and Steve Martin. Despite all this, Izzard kept his word, appearing on the small, bare stage at the Club Imperial in Berlin at the start of 2014 for a run that lasted some six weeks. It was here that Izzard performed his latest show, Force Majeure, every evening (except Mondays), speaking in charmingly broken German. On his opening night, the show lasted barely 35 minutes. But with each day that followed, Izzard learnt another page of his German script by heart, bringing his performance to 70 minutes by the time the curtain closed on his spell at the club. Izzard brands this particular style ‘surreal comedy’ and it is reminiscent of Monty Python, a comedy troupe that Izzard classes among his greatest role models. One of the best-known Pythons, John Cleese, once returned the compliment, introducing Izzard as “the lost Python” at an awards ceremony. When on stage, Izzard starts the show by regaling the audience with some absurd anecdote, inevitably digressing from the tale and appearing to lose himself in his thoughts THE PERFORMANCE ISSUE j 53

 

JAGUAR MAGAZINE

 

Jaguar Magazine celebrates creativity in all its forms, with exclusive features that inspire sensory excitement, from beautiful design to cutting-edge technology.

In this issue, we explore the art of creativity from the Brazilian masters who devised the graceful art of Capoeira, to the Irish artists mixing new culture with old. You will also discover the creative line that links Victorian wallpaper to the iPhone. While the multi-talented actor and performer, Riz Ahmed, explains why it is the right time to reveal his true self to the world.

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