26.05.20

Comedian and academic Lisa Moore makes waves with new BBC Radio 4 series 鈥榃here to, Mate?鈥

Categories: School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology
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A new comedy series set in the back of taxi cabs is getting rave reviews. 鈥榃here to, Mate?鈥 explores the funny and revealing character-led conversations that take place in cabs across Greater Manchester every day.

Lisa Moore portrait

Comedy and Performance Lecturer at the 海角乱伦, Lisa Moore plays a range of quirky passengers in the series which was recorded on location in a car in Manchester.

The series follows drivers Bernie (played by Jo Enright) and Ben (Peter Slater) as they eavesdrop on their taxi journeys around the North West. 

Where to, Mate?鈥 is already getting high acclaim in the likes of the Observer, The Times and influential comedy guide . Award-winning director Jason Wingard is behind the project, along with longstanding BBC comedy producer Carl Cooper.

When asked who her favourite character to play was, Lisa says the kooky faith-healer she plays in episode one. 鈥淪he鈥檚 very spiritual and new age. All the characters are observational 鈥 they鈥檙e all based on real people,鈥 she said.

Comedian Jason Manford has also praised Lisa on the series, saying 鈥淚t鈥檚 great that this series will be featuring northern female comedy talent like Lisa. She鈥檚 a really versatile performer with a natural flair for observational comedy.鈥 The pair met when Jason was studying Comedy Writing and Performance at 海角乱伦.

Lisa has been a longstanding champion of getting more women into the industry. 鈥淭here鈥檚 still a lot of work to do,鈥 she says. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 important for female comics to just believe in themselves. The motivation comes from you 鈥 I鈥檝e always tried to push myself.鈥

Lisa cites the likes of Julia Davis, Catherine Tate and Cathy Burke as being fellow female comedians who inspire her.

鈥榃here to, Mate?鈥 was recorded just before the UK went into lockdown and Lisa feels comedy has played an important role throughout the pandemic. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for people to laugh. The say laughter is the best medicine and it鈥檚 true 鈥 it can be like therapy.鈥

Lisa is planning to further examine the impact comedy has had on COVID-19 in a special conference next year. Currently in planning phase, the event will feature a mixed bill and be the third successful conference of its kind at the 海角乱伦.

Listen to 鈥榃here to, Mate?' on now. 

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