Diane Morgan, a.k.a. Philomena Cunk, unravels the mysteries of Shakespeare

May 10, 2016 • 3:14 pm

[‘JAC: There was a formatting problem with the photos in this post (Cunk broke the site), so I’ve eliminated them, and things are back to normal.]

by Matthew Cobb

“I’ve always wanted to make people laugh,” she says. “It’s been my only ambition, ever since my dad introduced me to the genius of the great comedians: Tony Hancock, Woody Allen, people like that. While other kids were into New Kids on the Block, I was into Harold Lloyd and Stan Laurel. I’m still like that. I don’t have any hobbies.”

Stan Laurel, of course, was also from Lancashire.

The hook for the article is tomorrow night’s BBC2 programme Cunk on Shakespeare, which promises to be fun:

Cunk argues with Paul Taylor, head of collections at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, when he fails to provide her with white gloves for examining a First Folio. “Simon Schama gets to wear gloves,” moans Cunk. “But he doesn’t get to wear them here,” snaps Taylor.

JAC: 10 pm London time TOMORROW (or whatever you call it over there).  And there’s a new Guardian piece on the genesis of Philomena  The word on the street is that the show is good:

There had been doubts that Cunk could sustain the gag for 30 minutes, but the show works, not least because it satirises the structure of a hosted BBC history documentary. “I have to go on a journey,” says Morgan. “Everybody doing this kind of programme does. It’s the law.” Morgan revels in the role. “It’s like wearing a suit of armour. If you’re Cunk, nothing can harm you. I can say anything and it’s fun. I have absolutely no social skills. I love creating awkward moments.” For instance, Cunk argues with Paul Taylor, head of collections at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, when he fails to provide her with white gloves for examining a First Folio. “Simon Schama gets to wear gloves,” moans Cunk. “But he doesn’t get to wear them here,” snaps Taylor.

 

14 thoughts on “Diane Morgan, a.k.a. Philomena Cunk, unravels the mysteries of Shakespeare”

  2. Soob^2
    Fingers crossed that we’ll be able to watch tomorrow’s broadcast across the Pond‼️

  3. “10 pm London time TOMORROW (or whatever you call it over there).”

    I think they say “on the morrow”.

  4. Stan Laurel was from “Lancashire over the water”, which is not in Lancashire today.

    1. I don’t know that appellation, but I thought he was from one of he Lake District towns … and checking, it was Ulverston. Which would explain Bowness-on-Windemere (on Lake Windemere, a dozen or so miles away) trying to steal some of the thunder.

  5. She has just finished her appreciation of the Bard and ruddy marvellous it was too. I just hope everyone can get to see Ms Cunk exploring Shakespeare as it was laugh out loud funny.

  8. A small corection, Stan Laurel came from Ulverston in the Lake District, I still fall about at Laurel and Hardy, wonderful comedy never been bettered for me.

    2. That’s not a correction: “Ulverston in the Lake District” is only near (c. 7 km from), not in the Lake District. It was in Lancashire when Stan Laurel was born; now it’s in Cumbria. See #4.

      /@

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