Tim Minchin

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Tim Minchin
Birth nameTimothy David Minchin
Born (1975-10-07) 7 October 1975 (age 48)
Northampton, UK[citation needed]
NationalityAustralian
Years active2002–present
GenresMusical comedy
SpouseSarah 2001–present (2 children)
Websitehttp://www.timminchin.com/

Timothy David Minchin [1] (born 7 October 1975 in Northampton, UK[citation needed]) is a British-born Australian comedian, actor and musician. He is best known for his musical comedy, which has featured in three CDs, three DVDs and a number of live comedy shows which he has performed internationally. He has also appeared on television and radio in both Australia and Britain. After growing up in Perth, Western Australia, he attended the University of Western Australia and WAAPA before moving to Melbourne in 2002 where he began to develop his act. His breakout show, "Dark Side", launched him into the public eye, achieving critical success at the 2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the 2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. [2]

Minchin has a background in theatre and has appeared in various stage productions, in addition to some small acting roles on Australian TV. He has written a script for a television pilot which has received some interest from US networks; in late 2007 he was reported to be in talks with HBO. A documentary film about Minchin, Rock N Roll Nerd (directed by Rhian Skirving), was released theatrically in 2008 [3] and broadcast by ABC1 in 2009. [4]

Personal life

Minchin was raised in Perth, Western Australia. [5] and educated at Christ Church Grammar School. He started learning piano at the age of eight, but gave it up after three years because he did not enjoy the discipline. He redeveloped an interest in the instrument after he started writing music with his brother Dan Minchin, a guitarist, but still describes himself as a "hack pianist... a 'more you practice, the better you get' kind of guy." [6] Minchin graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre, and in 1998 completed an Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. [7]

He currently lives in London with his wife, Sarah, whom he has been with since he was 17 and whom he married in 2001. They have a daughter named Violet, who was born on November 24, 2006 [5][8] and son named Caspar, who was born on July 3, 2009.[9] Minchin often refers to his family life in his songs and stand-up and often draws on how he met his wife Sarah when he was 17 and on their life as a couple.

Career

Musical Comedy

Minchin playing the piano on-stage

Tim Michim is yet another alter-ego of comic legend Leigh Francis. Looking alarmingly like the lovechild of The Cure frontman Robert Smith and Mick Hucknall, Leigh has been developing this character in the last few years since finishing the Bo! series. To add more depth to this interesting new departure, Francis has created the following "Biog" for Tim, which goes as follows...

"Minchin describes his act as a "funny cabaret show" and sees himself primarily as a musician and songwriter as opposed to a comedian; his songs, he says, "just happen to be funny." [10] His reasoning for combining the disciplines of music and comedy was revealed in one interview when he said "I'm a good musician for a comedian and I'm a good comedian for a musician but if I had to do any of them in isolation I dunno." [11]

He draws on his background in theatre for his distinctive onstage appearance and persona. [5] In his performances, he typically goes barefoot with wild hair and heavy eye makeup, which is juxtaposed with a crisp suit and tails, and a grand piano. According to Minchin, he likes not wearing shoes in his shows because it makes him feel more comfortable. He considers the eye makeup important because while he is playing the piano he is not able to use his arms and relies on his face for expressions and gestures; the eyeliner makes his features more distinguishable for the audience. [6] Much of his look and persona, he says, are about "treading that line between mocking yourself and wanting to be an iconic figure. Mocking the ridiculousness and completely unrealistic dream of being an iconic figure." [12] The eccentric appearance removes Minchin from reality somewhat, allowing him to make outrageous statements onstage "without annoying (most) people." [13]

The shows consist largely of Minchin's comedic songs and poetry, with subjects ranging from social satire, to inflatable dolls and sex fetishes, to his own failed rock star ambitions. In between songs, he performs short stand-up routines. [10] Several of his songs deal with religion, a subject with which Minchin—an atheist and a fan of Richard Dawkins—says he is "a bit obsessed." [14] He argues that as one of the most powerful and influential forces in the world, religion should never be off-limits to satirists. He says that his favourite song to perform is "Peace Anthem for Palestine," which reflects his feelings about religious conflict. [8] His comedy also deals with taboos more broadly, a subject which Minchin says interests him due to what he considers the hypocrisy in the things society classifies as appropriate and inappropriate. [15] A prime example of this is the song "Prejudice" which parodies the power awarded to something as simple as a word.

Early Career (1998-2007)

After completing an Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Music in 1998, Minchin started out composing music for documentaries and theatre. In 2000 he wrote and starred in the musical "Pop" at the Blue Room Theatre in Perth.[16] He released a CD titled "Sit" with his band Timmy the Dog in 2001, but achieved little success.[17] In 2002, after only one professional acting job, he moved from Perth to Melbourne to pursue work.[18] Minchin struggled initially; he could not get an agent for a year and had been unable to find any acting work.[17] While several record companies gave him positive feedback, they were not sure how his music—a mixture of satirical songs and more serious pop songs—could be marketed. He decided to compile all of his humorous songs into a single live show to "get the comedy stuff off [his] chest" before going back to more serious music.[19]

Minchin says he entered into comedy "naively," having never even attended a live comedy gig before performing one himself.[14] His break-out show, "Darkside" (co-produced by Laughing Stock Productions), achieved critical success at the 2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where it won the inaugural Festival Directors' Award and attracted the notice of Karen Koren, the manager of the well-known Gilded Balloon venues.[20] Koren backed the show's run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where Minchin received the Perrier Comedy Award for Best Newcomer.[5][21] His 2006 show, "So Rock," was nominated for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival's top prize, the Barry Award, and in 2007 he was given the award for Best Alternative Comedian at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival.[22][10]

Live recordings of his 2005 and 2006 shows, "Darkside" and "So Rock," have been released as CDs. In 2007, he released a DVD entitled So Live, featuring a live recording in the Sydney Opera House Studio with material from both of his previous shows.[12] As this DVD was only released in Australia, he released a DVD in 2008 entitled So F**king Rock Live in the UK, containing largely the same material as So Live.

Ready For This? (2008-2009)

In August 2008 Minchin debuted his third solo show, "Ready For This?" at the Edinburgh Fringe and subsequently took it on tour across the UK. During the Edinburgh run, he contributed to The Guardian newspaper's podcasts, [23] despite his new show containing a song about a Guardian critic who once gave his show a savage review. [24]

A recording of his latest show Ready For This? was released as an album for download via iTunes on July 20, 2009. The same show was released on DVD in Australia on September 9, 2009 [25] and a UK release is anticipated in the second half of 2010. [26]

In December 2009, the track "White Wine In The Sun" was released as a downloadable single online. Fans on Minchin's official forum launched a campaign to get this festive track into the Christmas charts by purchasing it from various online download retailers. [27] A Facebook group was also launched to support the campaign [28] as well as a drive on Twitter in which celebrities were contacted about the campaign and a succession of e-mails to radio DJs in a bid to get them to play the song. It was later announced that 50% of the December profits from the song would be donated to The National Autistic Society. [29] The bid was ultimately unsuccessful in the face of huge publicity around the battle between Rage Against The Machine and Joe McElderry, but Minchin told fans he was grateful for the effort behind the campaign. [30]

TV & Radio

He has also made musical appearances on various radio and television shows, including the BBC's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, (three times) [31] BBC Radio 4's Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better (during the first series) [32] and two specials on BBC Radio 2 in Britain. He has also made appearances on the ABC's Spicks and Specks [33] and The Sideshow in Australia. [34] Also, he appeared on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross in October 2009. [35] He performed a song written especially for the show entitled Five Poofs And Two Pianos, a parody of the house band for the show who are known as 4 Poofs and a Piano. Minchin also appeared as a special guest on the 2009 edition of The Big Fat Quiz of the Year performing a song written for the show "It's Like 1984" in reference to a question regarding Google Street View. [36]

The show released on DVD as So F**king Rock Live has aired several times on British TV channel E4, first on July 23, 2009. [37] It then repeated on November 1, 2009. [38] It is set to be broadcast for the third time on January 9, 2010. [39]

Acting & Theatre Work

Minchin's background is in theatre and he has appeared in various stage productions. His most recent dramatic theatrical performance was in the title role for the 2006 Perth Theatre Company production of Amadeus, a fictional play about the downfall of Mozart at the hands of the reigning court composer.[17] His other stage acting roles have included the title role in the 2004 Perth Theatre Company / Hoopla production of Hamlet, and The Writer in the original PTC production of Reg Cribb’s The Return. He has also acted for The Australian Shakespeare Company (Twelfth Night), the Black Swan Theatre Company (Cosi, One Destiny) and in various other plays, short films and TVC’s. Roles from his days in musical theatre include Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha and understudying Judas twice (and playing Pontius Pilate) in Jesus Christ Superstar. He has also appeared playing small parts on the ABC telemovie Loot and on the show Comedy Inc.. [40]

Minchin also plays the role of Tom, in the contemporary family drama Two Fists, One Heart, [41] released March 19 2009. [42] He also wrote the song Drowned for the film's soundtrack. [43]

He is currently co-writing a musical version of Roald Dahl's novel Matilda with Dennis Kelly and the Royal Shakespeare Company, which will be produced by the RSC and will hit the stage in late 2010. [44]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Compilations

  • 2005 - Laugh-a-poolooza (featured artist)

DVD

  • 2007 - So Live (Australia only)
  • 2008 - So F**king Rock Live (UK only)
  • 2009 - Ready For This? (Australia only)
  • 2009 - So F**king Rock Live (Special Edition, UK only)
  • 2009 - Ready For This Live (Australia only [SH])

Awards

References

  1. ^ "Middle Name". Angry (Feet) Forum. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
  2. ^ "Tim Minchin Online Shop: DARK SIDE AUDIO CD". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  3. ^ Pomeranz, Margaret: Rock N Roll Nerd, At the Movies (ABC1.
  4. ^ Rock + Roll Nerd: The Tim Minchin Story, ABC1, 30 April 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d Millar, Anna (2008-07-31). "Tim Minchin - Looney tunes". The List. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  6. ^ a b Minchin, Tim (2007-06-05). "INTERVIEW: Tim Minchin". The Void. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  7. ^ "About". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  8. ^ a b Taylor, Darlene (2007-02-12). "Interview: Tim Minchin interview". The Groggy Squirrel. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  9. ^ Tim Minchin. "Twitter / Tim Minchin". 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  10. ^ a b c Maxwell, Tom (2008-02-01). "Tim's just funny that way". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  11. ^ Linzy (2009-03-15). "Interview One - 11th October 2007 at Fagan's, Sheffield, UK". Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  12. ^ a b Low, Lenny Ann (2007-11-08). "Rock'n'roll nerd". The Age. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  13. ^ "FAQ". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  14. ^ a b Arthur, Tim (2008-09-01). "Tim Minchin: interview". Time Out London. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  15. ^ Minchin, Tim (2007). "Interview". Angry (Feet). Retrieved 2008-09-13. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  16. ^ Major survey of WA youth gets underway: Theatre
  17. ^ a b c Tucak, Layla (2006-06-30). "Tim Minchin taking on Mozart and the world". Stateline. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  18. ^ Saltmarsh, Abigail (2008-08-22). "Interview: Tim Minchin". Norwich Evening News. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  19. ^ Minchin, Tim (2006-08-07). "August 7 Episode". Dig TV. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  20. ^ Woodhead, Cameron (2006-04-19). "Tim Minchin". The Age. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  21. ^ a b Reuters/AAP (2005-08-29). "Minchin best newcomer". The Age. Retrieved 2008-08-20. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  22. ^ Platt, Craig (2006-04-01). "Last Laugh: Barry Award nominees announced". The Age - Last Laugh blog. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  23. ^ The Guardian Live at the Gilded Balloon, with Tim Minchin
  24. ^ Chianta, Rosanna (2008-09-07). "A show worth a Minchin - Tim Minchin interview". Scotland on Sunday. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  25. ^ Linzy (2009-07-29). "'Ready For This?' DVD Release". Tim Minchin's Official Facebook Page. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  26. ^ Linzy (2009-10-28). ""Ready For This?" DVD - UK Version". Angry (Feet) Forum. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  27. ^ Shell (2009-12-13). "Ready for a Christmas single with a difference?". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  28. ^ Kendal Tyne Love. "Tim Minchin for a top 20 place in the Christmas charts!". Facebook. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  29. ^ Shell (2009-12-17). "50% of the proceeds from the December sales of 'White Wine in the Sun' are going to Autism research". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  30. ^ Tim Minchin (2009-12-21). "Gratuitous Gratitudity". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  31. ^ Linzy (2009-11-05). "Third Time is the Buzzcocks Charm". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  32. ^ "Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better - Production Details". The British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  33. ^ "Full cast and crew for "Spicks and Specks"". IMDB. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  34. ^ "Full cast and crew for "The Sideshow"". IMDB. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  35. ^ "The Week's Guests BBC Week 42: 17-23 October 2009". BBC. 2009-10-17. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  36. ^ "The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2010)". IMDB. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  37. ^ Tim Minchin (2009-07-20). "Twitter / Tim Minchin: My old live show, "So F**k..." Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  38. ^ Tim Minchin (2009-10-30). "Twitter / Tim Minchin: 'So F**king Rock' on TV Ag..." Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  39. ^ kateweb (2010-01-03). ""Tim Minchin: Live" on E4 (again)". Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  40. ^ "Tim Minchin: Actor". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  41. ^ "Full Cast And Crew For Two Fists, One Heart". IMDB. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  42. ^ "Release Dates For Two Fists, One Heart". IMDB. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  43. ^ "Drowned (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack "Two Fists One Heart") - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  44. ^ Shell (2008-09-01). "Minchin's mystery musical can finally be made known…"". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  45. ^ "Comedy Festival Awards". MICF Corporate Site. Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  46. ^ Slattery, Annette (29 April 2007). "The Groggy Squirrel Critics' Award". The Groggy Squirrel. The Groggy Squirrel. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  47. ^ "Tim Minchin: About - Awards". TimMinchin.com. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  48. ^ "Winners of the 2009 Helpmann Awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2009-07-28. Retrieved 2010-01-06.

External links

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