Is there anyone in the world funnier than Julia Davies? The answer. No. I love Julia Davies in such a pure way. She never fails to make me laugh, just thinking about some of her characters makes me smile. Smile in a demonic messed up way. The best way to smile.
Helen Bauer
Can we all agree that starting off a sitcom with the lead character telling her husband he is dying from cancer even though he is in fact cancer free and then throwing said living healthy husband a funeral is a bold choice for the first episode. ‘Nighty Night’ (THE BEST TV SHOW EVER MADE EVER) is a masterclass in how funny the awful side of humanity is. Davies creates the most awful, repugnant and hilariously shameless characters. The central characters to her shows are always flawed beyond flawed and wear these short comings like badges of honour. The unapologetic humour she finds in the darkest corners of life make her work always such a joy to watch.
Jill Tyrell was my first true love. I was 14 years old and she cut a woman’s fringe so short she re drew on her eyebrows. It was funny and I totally understood as earlier that year I had cut my own fringe that short. FINALLY, relatable comedy. I was too young to understand some of the jokes then but I knew that it was funny. Funny to the point of awkward cringing. To the point when you just can’t watch it anymore, but you can, but you can’t, you know. Davies and combination of character and high gag rate makes for a brilliantly funny sit com that takes on one of my all-time favourite topics, adult female friendship.
Davies has such a uniquely dark sense of humour. Her characters in JAM, Alan Partridge and Big Train presents were always delightfully awful, from novelists to ‘thick person’ she took on every role with such power and I just loved it.
Can we just talk about Human Remains for a moment? Six delightful thirty-minute episode of Julia Davies and Rob Brydon portraying different couples. All horrific, all definitely based on real people. It is a masterclass in comedic acting and also how to degrade a character beyond repair. It is simply the most delightful show. I have never not got on with a fellow Human Remains fan.
Lizzie and Sarah was a one episode work of art that I beg of everyone to find a way to watch. It may put you off marriage for life but it’s worth it. Never one to shy away from the big topics in 30 minutes, Davies and Jessica Hynes find the funny in domestic violence, emotional manipulation, depression and amateur dramatics. I can’t not mention Davies portrayal of Essex Wife Dawn in Gavin and Stacey. The wonderful Hunderby, Sally4Ever and Camping.
Julia Davies, I love you, thank you for making everything funny and teaching me to cringe. It’s the only exercise I get.
HELEN BAUER DEBUT
BBC New Comedy Award Finalist 2018
Leicester Mercury New Comedian of The Year Nominee 2018
Max Turner Prize Runner Up 2017
Funny Women Regional Finalist 2017
So You Think You’re Funny - Semi Finalist 2016
Title Of Show: Helen Bauer: Little Miss Baby Angel Face
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker One
Time: 6.00pm
Dates: 2nd – 25th August (except 14th)
Previews: 31st July & 1st August
Tagged in Edinburgh Festival Fringe