Jump to content

Kev Orkian: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
rm some vandalism
Line 22: Line 22:


Also in June 2010, Kev Orkian performed a live comedy 'sketch' with opera diva [[Katherine Jenkins]] for a private birthday party at which Motown legend Lionel Richie also performed, along with the NSO (National Symphony Orchestra) and comedians [[Bobby Davro]] and [[Jethro]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://kj.tv/news,katherines-blog_157.htm/|title=Katherine Jenkins Official Blog|accessdate=2010-06-28}}</ref> The comedy routine was an updated version of an old [[Victor Borge]] sketch which Kev Orkian had developed with Katherine Jenkins.
Also in June 2010, Kev Orkian performed a live comedy 'sketch' with opera diva [[Katherine Jenkins]] for a private birthday party at which Motown legend Lionel Richie also performed, along with the NSO (National Symphony Orchestra) and comedians [[Bobby Davro]] and [[Jethro]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://kj.tv/news,katherines-blog_157.htm/|title=Katherine Jenkins Official Blog|accessdate=2010-06-28}}</ref> The comedy routine was an updated version of an old [[Victor Borge]] sketch which Kev Orkian had developed with Katherine Jenkins.

==Britain's Got Talent==
In May 2010 Kev Orkian took part in series 4 of ITV's flag-ship entertainment show [[Britain's Got Talent]], with his first appearance on Saturday May 29, the last show of the first round auditions. In this appearance, during which Orkian performed his trademark Elton John scratchy CD version of 'I'm Still Standing', he gained three YES votes from [[Simon Cowell]], [[Amanda Holden]] and [[Piers Morgan]], the latter of whom commented "That is one of the smartest things I've seen", winning himself a place in the live semi-final on Tuesday June 1.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://britainsgottalentauditions.co.uk/britains-got-talent-2010-episode-7-review|title=Britains Got Talent 2010 Episode 7 Review|accessdate=2010-06-01}}</ref> During the live semi-finals, Cowell and Morgan both buzzed him, though Holden allowed him to finish. He did not make it through to the final and [[Simon Cowell]] labelled him a One Trick Pony stating “Unfortunately it is a one trick pony act. The act was so corny and so painful to watch and listen to…that’s the truth.”<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/britains-got-talent/britains-got-talent-kev-orkian-talks-about-simons-daunting-buzzer/|title=Britain’s Got Talent: Kev Orkian talks about Simons ‘daunting’ buzzer|accessdate=2011-02-13}}</ref>

High-street bookmakers Coral reported one of the biggest gambles in reality TV history on piano playing funny man Kev Orkian to win the talent show stating "With the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent set to get underway in just a few hours, Coral are reporting one of the biggest gambles in reality TV history on piano playing funny man Kev Orkian to win the talent show. Orkian has been cut from 100/1 to 9/1 with the firm, and he is now the fourth favourite behind Spellbound, who are 2/1 favourites, Olivia Archbold (7/2) and Liam McNally, at 13/2. Coral spokesman Gary Burton told Bettingpro: "The few pounds we saw first thing this morning at 100/1 and 80/1 quickly turned into three figure bets at shorter prices, he will cost us a fortune if he wins. It's been an incredible punt!"".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bettingpro.com/category/Entertainment/Britains-Got-Talent-Latest-Betting-Kev-Orkian-Supported-Ahead-of-Britains-Got-Talent-Semi-Finals-2010053100127|title=Britain’s Got Talent Latest Betting – Kev Orkian Supported Ahead of Britain’s Got Talent Semi-Finals|accessdate=2010-06-01}}</ref>

Despite missing out on a place in the Britain's Got Talent final and losing the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show, Kev Orkian nevertheless beat winners [[Spelbound]] and the other finalists to the post of performing for Royalty. Orkian entertained HRH Prince Philip less than two weeks after being booted off the show and had already performed for several other members of the Royal family including Prince Charles and Princess Michael of Kent. Kev Orkian was invited to perform for Prince Charles at [[Windsor Castle]] in 2009 for the [[British Forces Foundation]] 10th Gala Dinner. Classical singer [[Katherine Jenkins]] and comedian [[David Walliams]] also attended. Orkian was granted access to one of the castle's bedrooms to prepare for the comedy piano sketch and he recalls the moment he turned to see Prince Charles turn bright red with laughter during his act: "I was amazed". After the sketch, Prince Charles congratulated him and said he was an "absolute genius".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=3049730|title=Britain's Got Talent Star Enjoys Royal Variety|accessdate=2010-07-02}}</ref>


==Pantomime==
==Pantomime==

Revision as of 09:50, 30 August 2011

Kev Orkian
Born (1974-02-03) 3 February 1974 (age 50)
StatusMarried
Occupation(s)Musician, Comedian, Actor
Websitewww.KevOrkian.co.uk

Kev Orkian is a British-Armenian musician, comedian and actor born in London to Armenian parents. He has performed around the world from New York,[1] Los Angeles and Toronto[2] to Dubai,[3] Oman and Australia. Due to the similarities with his comedy timing, acting background and training as a classical pianist, Orkian has been compared to the likes of Victor Borge and Dudley Moore.[4]

Between 2003 and 2009, Kev Orkian spent a lot of his time touring the UK as the support act for some of the biggest names in British comedy[5] and has previously starred in West-End London musicals including Fame, Happy Days and Boogie Nights[6] alongside Dancing on Ice winner and Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon.

In 2009 Kev Orkian became a regular on the UK comedy circuit performing at well-known clubs such as Jongleurs where his comedy rendition of Elton John's I'm Still Standing has been described as Comedy Gold, and has generated standing ovations.[7]

On September 23, 2009 Event Magazine reported that Kev Orkian won the final of 'The Next Big Thing' - the event industry's version of The X Factor, which was held at Event UK in Birmingham.[8]

On Thursday 10 June 2010, Kev Orkian performed for HRH The Prince Philip, celebrating his 89th birthday at the Guards Polo Club. The event fell behind schedule and Prince Philip was set to leave – before Kev got on stage – to get to another engagement. But as soon as Kev started his sketch the Prince decided to sit back down and watch the full act. So impressed was he that instead of rushing off at the end he stayed even longer to congratulate Kev in person. Prince Philip was quoted as saying “It’s a wonderful show. I thoroughly enjoyed your performance”.[9]

Also in June 2010, Kev Orkian performed a live comedy 'sketch' with opera diva Katherine Jenkins for a private birthday party at which Motown legend Lionel Richie also performed, along with the NSO (National Symphony Orchestra) and comedians Bobby Davro and Jethro.[10] The comedy routine was an updated version of an old Victor Borge sketch which Kev Orkian had developed with Katherine Jenkins.

Pantomime

Since 1999 Kev Orkian has starred in the British tradition of Pantomime alongside a plethora of British stars including Leslie Grantham, Joe Pasquale, husband and wife team Linda Lusardi & Samuel Kane, John Inman and Lesley Joseph.[11]

In December 2009 he starred as Chester The Jester in Sleeping Beauty alongside singer/actress Claire Sweeney at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley.[12]

2010 was the first year for over a decade that Kev Orkian did not perform in panto, deciding to concentrate on private bookings and presenting his own full one-man show. 2011 see's Kev Orkian perform in the biggest Pantomime in the UK alongside comedy legend Dame Edna Everage at the wimbledon theatre for FFE productions.

  • Muddles - Snow White 2005
    Muddles - Snow White 2005

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

2010

In August 2010 Kev Orkian made his debut appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, taking his full one-man show, 'Kev Orkian - The Illegal Tour', to the Underbelly on Cowgate.[13] Reviews included:

Fringe Guru (FIVE STARS) "Kev Orkian is an acknowledged rising star, and has been rightfully compared to Victor Borge and Dudley Moore."[14]

LoveFringe (FIVE STARS) "Kev Orkian: The Illegal Tour is the most-reviewed show on LoveFringe.com. We decided to go and see what all the fuss was about and weren’t disappointed. This show is one of the few which had us laughing all the way through and received a standing ovation, which is rare for Fringe shows."[15]

British Comedy Guide (FOUR & A HALF STARS) "I laughed more in this show than at any of the other 20 or so shows I reviewed this festival... This was also only the second show of the 2010 Fringe in which I witnessed anyone crying with laughter - in this case, a whole row of people who couldn't stop themselves"[16]

ThreeWeeks magazine (FOUR STARS) "Clever, classical and clean, Kev Orkian's set of musical comedy is the funniest take on the genre I've seen since Bill Bailey's. The comedian's off-beat set features some very talented and frenzied piano playing and one of the best medleys I have ever witnessed anyone compile. When he's not being majestic on the piano, he is telling some hysterical jokes, and he doesn't have to resort to swearing in order to be funny, which is refreshing."[17]

Chortle (THREE STARS) "First, he is an absolute charmer. The broken English gives him a naïve vulnerability, enhanced by his cherubic face, and he certainly makes the most of the childlike innocence he convincingly portrays. Second is his stunning talent on the keyboard, raising the roof with his nimble-fingered boogie-woogie or impressing with his deft classical medley."[18]

Notes

  1. ^ "Comedian Kev Orkian in NYC". Retrieved 2009-04-17. [dead link]
  2. ^ "Homenetmen Events". Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  3. ^ "UAE Armenian Diary". Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  4. ^ "Fringe Guru - Kev Orkian". Retrieved 2010-09-14.
  5. ^ "Comedy CV". Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  6. ^ "Boogie on Down". Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  7. ^ "Comedy Gold at Jongleurs". Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  8. ^ "Illegal immigrant comedian wins The Next Big Thing". Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  9. ^ "Britain's Got Talent Comic Kev Orkian Amuses Prince Philip". Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  10. ^ "Katherine Jenkins Official Blog". Retrieved 2010-06-28.
  11. ^ "Preview of Pantomime Dates and Details for 2003/4". Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  12. ^ "The Churchill Bromley - What's On". Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  13. ^ "Underbelly Edinburgh Fringe 2010". Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  14. ^ "FringeGuru Kev Orkian". Retrieved 2010-08-26.
  15. ^ "Review: Kev Orkian - The Illegal Tour - LoveFringe - Edinburgh Fringe Festival Reviews". Retrieved 2010-08-26.
  16. ^ "comedy.co.uk British Comedy Guide". Retrieved 2010-09-14.
  17. ^ "Unlimited ThreeWeeks". Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  18. ^ "Kev Orkian: The Illegal Tour' review : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". Retrieved 2010-08-11.

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kev_Orkian&oldid=447461928"