Craig Hill
Encyclopedia
Craig Hill is a Scottish comedian, TV presenter and actor known for his cheeky, irreverent and camp
act. His act comprises stand-up
, comic characterisations and improvisation
styles with musical diva
impersonations, notably a parody
of Shirley Bassey
singing the football chant ‘Who Ate All the Pies?‘.
in his native East Kilbride
, impersonating Cleo Laine
. In 1991, he moved to Edinburgh
in order to study Drama at Queen Margaret College, graduating in 1994. Hill's comedy characters as well as his ability to improvise and write material led him into stand-up. He was still an actor, working in Theatre In Education and pantomime
s when a friend secretly booked him in for an ‘open spot’ in 1998. So terrified that he had to be shoved on stage, it was his first ever stand-up comedy performance.
In 1997 and 1998, Hill performed a lead role (Jeremy Weller) in the critically acclaimed Grassmarket Project’s theatre production "Mad" at the Edinburgh Fringe
.
Since 2002, Craig has extensively toured with his solo comedy shows throughout Scotland, the UK and internationally to Australia, Spain, Germany, Holland, Ireland, New York.
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
act. His act comprises stand-up
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...
, comic characterisations and improvisation
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
styles with musical diva
Diva
A diva is a celebrated female singer. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and, by extension, in theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna"....
impersonations, notably a parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
singing the football chant ‘Who Ate All the Pies?‘.
Biography
Hill's first public success came at age ten when he won a local talent contestTalent show
A talent show is an event where participants perform their talent or talents of acting, singing, dancing, acrobatics, drumming, martial arts, playing an instrument, and other activities to showcase a unique form of talent, sometimes for a reward, trophy or prize...
in his native East Kilbride
East Kilbride
East Kilbride is a large suburban town in the South Lanarkshire council area, in the West Central Lowlands of Scotland. Designated as Scotland's first new town in 1947, it forms part of the Greater Glasgow conurbation...
, impersonating Cleo Laine
Cleo Laine
Dame Cleo Laine, Lady Dankworth, DBE is a jazz singer and an actress, noted for her scat singing and vocal range...
. In 1991, he moved to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in order to study Drama at Queen Margaret College, graduating in 1994. Hill's comedy characters as well as his ability to improvise and write material led him into stand-up. He was still an actor, working in Theatre In Education and pantomime
Pantomime
Pantomime — not to be confused with a mime artist, a theatrical performer of mime—is a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, India, Ireland, Gibraltar and Malta, and is mostly performed during the...
s when a friend secretly booked him in for an ‘open spot’ in 1998. So terrified that he had to be shoved on stage, it was his first ever stand-up comedy performance.
In 1997 and 1998, Hill performed a lead role (Jeremy Weller) in the critically acclaimed Grassmarket Project’s theatre production "Mad" at the Edinburgh Fringe
Edinburgh Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Scotland's capital, in the month of August...
.
Since 2002, Craig has extensively toured with his solo comedy shows throughout Scotland, the UK and internationally to Australia, Spain, Germany, Holland, Ireland, New York.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe seasons and touring shows
- 1999 fringe debut as part of Scottish triple bill Three Weird Beards (Gilded Balloon)
- 2000 his first solo show, Craig Hill's Alive With The Sound Of Music included a parody of Julie Andrews performing Gangsta's Paradise in her inimitable style. (Gilded Balloon)
- 2001 Craig Hill's Wiz To Oz (Gilded Balloon)
- 2002 Craig Hill - The People's Friend (Assembly Rooms, Supper Room)
- 2003 Craig Hill – Live (Assembly Rooms, Supper Room)
- 2004 Craig Hill - One Man & His Kilt! (Pod Deco Theatre)
- 2005 Craig Hill's Got the Ballroom (Assembly Rooms, Ballroom)
- 2006 Craig Hill - Kilty Pleasures (Assembly Rooms, Ballroom)
- 2007 Craig Hill - Makin' A Big Song & Dance (Assembly Rooms)
- 2008 Craig Hill Makes Your Whole Week! (Gilded Balloon, Nightclub)
- 2009 Craig Hill - 40 Love...? (Gilded Balloon, Nightclub)
- 2010 Craig Hill - Why Don't You Come Down the Front? (Gilded Balloon, Nightclub)
- 2011 Craig Hill - Blown By a Fan...! (Udderbelly's Pasture)
Radio
- 2002 Craig Hill’s Passionate Encounters (BBC Radio Scotland)
- 2002 Famous for Five Minutes (BBC Radio Scotland comedy-quiz)
Television
- 2002 - 2003 series I & II Live Floor ShowLive Floor ShowLive Floor Show was a television comedy show produced by BBC Scotland for three series from 2002–2003. The first two series, hosted by Greg Hemphill, were broadcast on BBC One Scotland...
(featured weekly artist, BBC Scotland comedy programme) - 2003 Live Floor Show (featured weekly artist, BBC 2)
- 2002-2004 Hogmanay Live (presenter, BBC1)
- 2004 Floor Show (presenter, BBC Scotland)
- 2001-2004 T in the Park (presenter & interviewer, BBC Scotland)
- 2005 Craig Hill's Out Tonight (BBC Scotland chat, entertainment and comedy series)
- 2007 "Ready Steady Cook"(celebrity guest)
- 2009 "The Scots Factor" (STV, contributor)
- 2010 "Celebrity Postcode Challenge" (STV, contributor)
- 2010 "Good News Week" (Ch10 Australia, 2 episodes, guest panellist)
- 2010 "Spicks and Specks" (ABC Australia, guest panellist)
Short film
- Lay of the Land (supporting role, Producer: Screenbase; Director: Fraser McDonald; 1998)
Voiceovers
- Dunfermline Building Society Radio & TVC campaign 2003 - 2005; BBC Online Education Local Government