British Comedy Guide

Acting

Lights, camera, action... a selection of articles that will be of interest to those who perform comedy.

Helen Monks

My Comedy Career: Helen Monks

  • Thursday 1st February 2024

Writer, actor and comedian Helen Monks - who is now starring in the RSC's A Midsummer Night's Dream - talks about fending off self-doubt, finding a network of people and the benefits of seeing yourself as a project manager.

The Comedy Doctor. Credit: BCG

The Comedy Doctor on actors

  • Friday 19th January 2024

The Comedy Doctor answers a question about actors.

Leah Brotherhead

My Comedy Career: Leah Brotherhead

  • Wednesday 8th November 2023

As Leah Brotherhead returns to our screens to play Toni in the second series of Channel 4 sitcom Hullraisers, we talk to her about the work/life balance of being an actor.

Juliet Cowan

My Comedy Career: Juliet Cowan

  • Wednesday 4th October 2023

You'll have seen Juliet Cowan acting in a number of TV sitcoms and comedy dramas. As she prepares to bring her debut comedy hour to the Women in Comedy Festival in Manchester at the weekend, we ask her about work-life balance, tips to get into the industry, and more.

Casting Directors Guild Awards 2023. Image shows left to right: Toheeb Jimoh, Rachel Sheridan. Credit: Scarlet Page

My Comedy Career: Rachel Sheridan

  • Wednesday 14th June 2023

Award-winning casting director Rachel Sheridan talks us through how she finds talent for shows such as Big Boys, In My Skin, Feel Good and Such Brave Girls.

The Secret Reviewer

The Secret Reviewer #44: Oh, You Are Awful

  • Friday 4th November 2022

Every month our clandestine critic reveals the murky truths behind that infamous trade, and live comedy generally. This month: The Corden controversy is a lesson for everyone.

Aisha Bywaters

Aisha Bywaters discusses the role of a casting director

  • Tuesday 19th April 2022

Aisha Bywaters has been the casting director on TV comedy shows such as Enterprice, We Are Lady Parts and The Baby. Following her win at the Casting Directors' Guild Awards, we thought we'd ask Aisha to explain a bit more about what her job entails.

The Tuckers. Glyn Tucker (Steve Speirs)

BCG Pro Sessions video: Steve Speirs

  • Friday 25th March 2022

The 70 minute video of our conversation with top actor and writer Steve Speirs. Topics of discussion include sitcom plotting, the process of television commissioning/development and how to comedically 'set fireworks off'.

Beasts. Image shows from L to R: James McNicholas, Owen Roberts, Ciarán Dowd

Tune-Up, No. 7: James McNicholas on making a sketch group work

  • Tuesday 1st March 2022

James McNicholas spent many years with the much-loved sketch group Beasts. Here he talks about how the three of them worked together.

Martin Trenaman

BCG Pro Sessions video: Martin Trenaman

  • Thursday 15th July 2021

The recording of the BCG Pro Sessions Q&A with actor and writer Martin Trenaman. Amongst other things, he talks about his experiences of appearing in shows such as The Inbetweeners, offers sitcom writing insight, and discusses scripting material for panel shows.