Talking Goons (with Richard Usher)

This week Tyler chats with Richard Usher, actor, performer and voiceover artist, who as a member of the Fred Theatre Company has brought the magic of The Goon Show to new audiences, appearing as part of The Birmingham Comedy Festival. Richard has taken on the role of Peter Sellers in a number of sell-out live Goon Show performances in recent years (staging such shows as The Phantom Head Shaver of Brighton and The House of Teeth) as part of a highly-skilled troupe and he talks about the highlights and challenges involved in such an undertaking! How did he manage to master the likes of Bluebottle and Bloodnok? He also explains how he came to discover the Goons in the eighties and there’s some marvellous tales of meeting the Goons in the flesh, including being invited to Spike’s house for a cup of tea and being a hedonistic teenager attending Harry Secombe concerts. Richard also speaks warmly about Michael Bentine and how he had a real influence and impact on Richard’s life growing up. It’s an all-too-short conversation with a fascinating man and Richard’s website can be found here: www.richardusher.co.uk