Live Comedy
Circuit Training
Si Hawkins checks in with comics who've journeyed to the darkest depths of development hell - TV, radio, film or new-fangled web ventures - and are still standing.
No. 153: Crisis Planning, Insane Podcasts and a Bump, with Rich Wilson
Tuesday 28th November 2023
A can-do sort of bloke, Rich Wilson even recorded a special on his honeymoon. But with a new show and a big Crisis benefit coming up, he's also prepping for an event that might just change everything.
No. 152: To the Common! With Alistair Barrie and Bagel the dog (unleashed!)
Thursday 16th November 2023
A dramatic trip downriver with the on-tour Alistair Barrie and his intrepid terrier, Bagel. Will we all get back in one piece? Why is Alistair so angry? And what made Lee Hurst ban him.
No. 151: Book touring, Brydon-launching and lost Peter Kay stuff: Stuart Maconie gets the treatment
Saturday 20th May 2023
He looked set for a successful comedy career, helped launch big names, even acted in Phoenix Nights - so why did Stuart Maconie start rambling instead?
No. 150: To the Secret Gardens! With Jack Docherty
Monday 9th January 2023
For this special ton-and-a-half edition, we head back to last August, and an intriguing invite from Absolutely and Scot Squad star Jack Docherty. Plus Bowie, Vic & Bob, Armstrong & Bain, Sayle, Norton, Status Quo, and a dog.
No. 149: Shed to Shed, with Andy Zaltzman
Tuesday 15th November 2022
The man with the wittiest shed in sport and politics, Andy Zaltzman talks hasty rewrites, mourning comedy, and why he's hiding a giant wooden duck.
No. 148: A Quick Festival Catch-Up with Isy Suttie
Wednesday 5th October 2022
Making a welcome return to comedy stages, Isy Suttie brings Jackpot to Manchester's Women in Comedy fest. But could she do it in Welsh?
No. 147: Simon Day's Big Nights Out
Monday 12th September 2022
He followed Squeeze out of Blackheath, fell in with Vic & Bob and helped The Fast Show become huge. But why has Simon Day culled some classic characters from his new tour?
No. 146: To the Shops! Moomin Magic, with Joz Norris
Saturday 5th March 2022
Joz Norris and Circuit Training did wander round Camden's Moomin shop because a world war seemed to be starting and we needed cheering up, but it turned out to be oddly relevant.
No. 145: Can we call Stephen Mangan a comedian?
Monday 24th January 2022
From I'm Alan Partridge to Episodes, The Old Vic to children's author, Landscape Artist of the Year to Slapstick gala host, Stephen Mangan doesn't know what to call himself. Many fans still call him Dan...
No. 144: The most Robin Ince time of the year
Thursday 9th December 2021
He's at the Royal Albert Hall with Brian Cox, is on a 100 bookshop tour, with Nine Lessons to come, and has a science-infused new book out. We met Robin Ince in his old haunt, Herts, to ask: how did those uninspiring science schooldays lead to this?