Circle (Eddie Izzard)
Encyclopedia
Circle is the name of a stand-up
tour by the comedian
Eddie Izzard
in 2000.
It was released on VHS
and DVD
in the United Kingdom
on 18 November 2002. The video includes Eddie performing a French
version of his show with English
subtitle
s.
The performance features many of Izzard's traditional themes, particularly religion (or "philosophies with some good ideas, and some fucking weird ones"). A discussion about Jesus' role in the three main Abrahamic faiths sees him "waiting offstage" in Judaism and playing on the same sporting team as Muhammad in Islam. This is counterpointed with a dialogue between a Crusader and his enemy in which both men are trying to kill the other "in the name of Jesus". He also mentions his impression that in Buddhism, Jesus is "Buddha's baby brother Benny".
The rigidity of religion is also lampooned, particularly as it relates to the Renaissance
. Galileo's persecution by the Catholic Church is mentioned, although the man is eventually asked (in prison) "Galileo, Galileo, will you do the fandango?"
Several concepts featured in "Circle" have become well known among Izzard fans. Among these is a discussion of the Pope
, specifically the names chosen by new popes, with the idea being that Popes John and John Paul will eventually be followed by Pope John Paul George and Ringo. A subsequent sequence talks about the renaming of a wartime pope
as "Pope Gutless Bastard I" due to his refusal to condemn Adolf Hitler
.
Another famous dialogue involves another appearance of "God and Jesus" (where God is represented by a James Mason
impression). Among other issues, this dialogue involves God questioning the wisdom of Jesus being born on Christmas Day and dying at Easter, as well as involving "cannibalism" and "vampirism" in the new religion. The sequence culminates in suggestions of what else could have been used at the Last Supper, most notably "take these oysters, for they are my kneecaps".
Perhaps the most famous part of the routine, however, is Izzard's "Death Star
Canteen", derived from Izzard's observation that there had to be some sort of source of food (such as a cafeteria) on the Death Star in the Star Wars
movies. This observation results in an extended dialogue in which Darth Vader
is attempting to order "Penne all'arrabbiata
" for lunch, only to be forced to get a tray (which is wet) and later be forced to admit that he is "Jeff Vader" in order to get respect.
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
tour by the comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard
Edward John "Eddie" Izzard is a British stand-up comedian and actor. His comedy style takes the form of rambling, whimsical monologue and self-referential pantomime...
in 2000.
It was released on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
and DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on 18 November 2002. The video includes Eddie performing a French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
version of his show with English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
subtitle
Subtitle (captioning)
Subtitles are textual versions of the dialog in films and television programs, usually displayed at the bottom of the screen. They can either be a form of written translation of a dialog in a foreign language, or a written rendering of the dialog in the same language, with or without added...
s.
The performance features many of Izzard's traditional themes, particularly religion (or "philosophies with some good ideas, and some fucking weird ones"). A discussion about Jesus' role in the three main Abrahamic faiths sees him "waiting offstage" in Judaism and playing on the same sporting team as Muhammad in Islam. This is counterpointed with a dialogue between a Crusader and his enemy in which both men are trying to kill the other "in the name of Jesus". He also mentions his impression that in Buddhism, Jesus is "Buddha's baby brother Benny".
The rigidity of religion is also lampooned, particularly as it relates to the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
. Galileo's persecution by the Catholic Church is mentioned, although the man is eventually asked (in prison) "Galileo, Galileo, will you do the fandango?"
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
Several concepts featured in "Circle" have become well known among Izzard fans. Among these is a discussion of the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, specifically the names chosen by new popes, with the idea being that Popes John and John Paul will eventually be followed by Pope John Paul George and Ringo. A subsequent sequence talks about the renaming of a wartime pope
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
as "Pope Gutless Bastard I" due to his refusal to condemn Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
.
Another famous dialogue involves another appearance of "God and Jesus" (where God is represented by a James Mason
James Mason
James Neville Mason was an English actor who attained stardom in both British and American films. Mason remained a powerful figure in the industry throughout his career and was nominated for three Academy Awards as well as three Golden Globes .- Early life :Mason was born in Huddersfield, in the...
impression). Among other issues, this dialogue involves God questioning the wisdom of Jesus being born on Christmas Day and dying at Easter, as well as involving "cannibalism" and "vampirism" in the new religion. The sequence culminates in suggestions of what else could have been used at the Last Supper, most notably "take these oysters, for they are my kneecaps".
Perhaps the most famous part of the routine, however, is Izzard's "Death Star
Death Star
The Death Star is a fictional moon-sized space station and superweapon appearing in the Star Wars movies and expanded universe. It is capable of destroying a planet with a single destructive super charged energy beam.-Origin and design:...
Canteen", derived from Izzard's observation that there had to be some sort of source of food (such as a cafeteria) on the Death Star in the Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
movies. This observation results in an extended dialogue in which Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
is attempting to order "Penne all'arrabbiata
Penne all'arrabbiata
Arrabbiata is a Roman sauce of garlic, tomatoes, and red chili cooked in olive oil. Basil is sometimes used, although the majority of chefs in Italy do not use basil for this recipe...
" for lunch, only to be forced to get a tray (which is wet) and later be forced to admit that he is "Jeff Vader" in order to get respect.
External links
- Circle - article at The Official Eddie Izzard Site
- The Cake or Death Site