Darren Harriott: Roadman
Pleasance Courtyard - Beneath
August 2023
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Double Edinburgh Award nominee, host of Live at the Apollo and recent star of Dancing On Ice, Darren Harriott kicks off his new UK tour 'Roadman' at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe.
In 'Roadman’, Darren speaks about his early days growing up in the midlands, and of his experience appearing on numerous TV game shows. He reminisces about his father and grandfather, and opens up about why he knows much more about one than the other. His stories about his unfortunate trainer collection, his forbearer's misconceptions of 'The Black Country' and of his encounters with 'The Animal Man' were all hilarious.
Yes his observations and commentary on life are sharp, funny and expertly relayed... But what strikes me most about Darren, more than what he is actually saying, is his performance. His stage-presence, charisma and natural comedic talent are astounding. He owns that stage and he demands your attention. I can see why he's so in demand for TV and radio work! He just has that allure, that magnetism and poise that says 'he's got this; You're in safe hands.'
Industry folks: If you're hosting a gala event at the fringe, if you want an alluring host for your new prime time tv show, if need someone to speak at anything! - Darren is your man. He's a star and I'm going to have to go find all these old game show episodes now just to get some more of him. I'm pretty certain he'll be hosting them himself one day soon.
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When and Where?
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard - Beneath
Time: 7.40pm
Dates: 2nd - 27th August (except 14th August)
📸 Photo credit: Ray Burmiston
About Darren Harriott
Earlier this year he popped on his skates and joined prime time ITV show Dancing on Ice and won over the hearts of the judges and public alike. Darren has come a very long way since his early days growing up in the Black Country and now with a plethora of other TV shows yet to be announced, this young man is set to go stratospheric!
Darren’s show will be drawing from his upbringing; after his father took his own life in prison Darren joined a local gang ‘Terror Klan Killerz’ (the ‘Z’ was very important to them). It all started innocently enough - they wanted their own T-shirts, branding and sense of belonging - but over time they started carrying knives and one night the other members turned on Darren, beating him so badly he woke up in hospital on New Year’s Eve and knew it was time to get out. He went to college and started doing stand-up comedy, supporting himself by working as a bouncer. He clearly made his mark though, as when he was first booked for Live at the Apollo the head of security at the iconic Hammersmith venue thought he’d got his shifts mixed up.
That same year (2017), Darren was nominated for Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He went on to be the first black British male ever to be nominated for the Best Show Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019.
Darren has come a long way from being wrongly arrested as a schoolboy in Birmingham, being in gangs and carrying knives to becoming the face of the West Midlands Tourist Board marking the city hosting the Commonwealth Games last year.
He’s a team captain on Guessable (now in its 4th series), is a series regular on Dave’s The Outsiders (hosted by David Mitchell and currently in season 2) and co-hosted the last season of Love Island: Aftersun. He’s also set to return to Don’t Hate the Playaz later this year. Other TV credits include Britain’s Best Takeaway with Sara Cox, British as Folk, host of Live at the Apollo and Dog Ate My Homework, plus appearances on Backstage With Katherine Ryan, All Star Games for Comic Relief and Great British Bake-Off Extra Slice among many others.
Darren has done two series for BBC Radio 4 of Black Label which covered his time as a teenager in gangs, giving a very personal, vulnerable account of being in and around that world at a very young age. Stephen Merchant even listened to it and asked him to help on ‘The Outlaws’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0006tm8
Podcasts include Shame is Delicious (co-hosting with Eshaan Akbar), Hard Sell (co-hosting with Josh Jones), Obsessed With Peaky Blinders, The Adam Buxton Podcast, Evil Genius, Dave’s CALM Podcast, Griefcast, and Wheel of Misfortune.
Darren Harriott: Roadman - review, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023
🎟️ Disclosure: I am an Edinburgh Festival Fringe accredited media reviewer and as such I receive complimentary press tickets in exchange for my honest reviews. My reviews and star ratings are always my honest opinions.
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