Neil Mullarkey
Encyclopedia
Neil Mullarkey is an English
actor
, writer
and comedian
.
Mullarkey studied at Robinson College, Cambridge
; while he was there he was Junior Treasurer of the Cambridge Footlights in the academic year 1981 to 1982 and was president in the year ending 1983. Mullarkey formed Hancock & Mullarkey with Nick Hancock at Cambridge, performing their act (which consisted of spoofing television shows' title sequences to that show's accompanying theme music) several times on television. This included Doctor Who
, Kojak
, and Dad's Army
. He has also been in a double act with Tony Hawks
called the Timid Twins.http://allthatmullarkey.com/doubleacts.html
In the early 1980s, he teamed up with Mike Myers
as 'Mullarkey and Myers'. They would perform sketches based on their shared love of cartoons, B-movies and bad TV. They played around the burgeoning London pub circuit, particularly at the George IV in Chiswick
, where they often shared the bill with the young Hugh Grant
, then plying his trade in the Jockeys Of Norfolk revue. As their fame increased, Mullarkey and Myers toured the UK, ending in a sold-out season at the Edinburgh Festival
. The two also appeared as 'The Sound Asleep Club' on TV-am's 'Wide Awake Club', a children's TV show hosted at the time by Tommy Boyd
. Mike eventually returned to Toronto, but Mullarkey would briefly join him to revive 'Mullarkey and Myers' in Canada. Later still, he appeared in Myers' début in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
, as the Customs Officer who freaks Austin out with his penis enlarger. (He also appeared again in Goldmember
and helped Mike Myers
do uncredited rewrites of So I Married An Axe Murderer
).
Mullarkey has since developed a performance career in theatre, television, cinema and radio.
As a founding member of The Comedy Store Players
, he is regularly performing on the UK comedy circuit.
Mullarkey runs management workshops and hosts conferences for private and public organisations. In his Improvyourbiz workshops he uses the techniques of theatre improvisation to inspire business people to embrace their creativity and enhance their communication skills.
, and still appears with them regularly at London's Comedy Store.
He has written and performed four one-man shows;
Don't Be Needy Be Succeedy won the Fringe Report Award for Best Satire of 2002. In it Mullarkey plays L. Vaughan Spencer, Life Coach, Self-Help Guru and Gangsta Motivator. The book Don't Be Needy Be Succeedy: The A to Z of Motivitality was published by Profile Books in November 2008.
Mullarkey starred with Eddie Izzard
in the sell-out West End run of One Word Improv and has guested with The Groundlings in Los Angeles and The Second City
in Toronto.
He was a writer on Tony Hawks
's show Morris Minor's Marvellous Motors and co-wrote (with Greg Proops
) The Amazing Colossal Show for BBC2. He hosted American Freak for America's Comedy Central
network.
He also does regular TV advert voiceover work.
, co-wrote and starred in FAB TV and has appeared on Just a Minute
, The News Quiz
, Quote...Unquote, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
, Loose Ends, In Touch and The Unbelievable Truth. He wrote and presented the documentary Ten Years of the Comedy Store Players.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and 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...
.
Mullarkey studied at Robinson College, Cambridge
Robinson College, Cambridge
Robinson College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.Robinson is the newest of the Cambridge colleges, and is unique in being the only one to have been intended, from its inception, for both undergraduate and graduate students of either sex.- History :The college was founded...
; while he was there he was Junior Treasurer of the Cambridge Footlights in the academic year 1981 to 1982 and was president in the year ending 1983. Mullarkey formed Hancock & Mullarkey with Nick Hancock at Cambridge, performing their act (which consisted of spoofing television shows' title sequences to that show's accompanying theme music) several times on television. This included Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, Kojak
Kojak
Kojak is an American television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, bald New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak. It aired from October 24, 1973, to March 18, 1978, on CBS. It took the time slot of the popular Cannon series, which was moved one hour earlier...
, and Dad's Army
Dad's Army
Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show...
. He has also been in a double act with Tony Hawks
Tony Hawks
Antony Gordon Hawksworth, better known as Tony Hawks, is a British comedian and author.-Early life:Born in Brighton in 1960, Hawks was educated at Brighton Hove and Sussex Grammar School and Brighton College...
called the Timid Twins.http://allthatmullarkey.com/doubleacts.html
In the early 1980s, he teamed up with Mike Myers
Mike Myers (actor)
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer of British parentage...
as 'Mullarkey and Myers'. They would perform sketches based on their shared love of cartoons, B-movies and bad TV. They played around the burgeoning London pub circuit, particularly at the George IV in Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
, where they often shared the bill with the young Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant
Hugh John Mungo Grant is an English actor and film producer. He has received a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA, and an Honorary César. His films have earned more than $2.4 billion from 25 theatrical releases worldwide. Grant achieved international stardom after appearing in Richard Curtis's...
, then plying his trade in the Jockeys Of Norfolk revue. As their fame increased, Mullarkey and Myers toured the UK, ending in a sold-out season at the Edinburgh Festival
Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
. The two also appeared as 'The Sound Asleep Club' on TV-am's 'Wide Awake Club', a children's TV show hosted at the time by Tommy Boyd
Tommy Boyd
Timothy Leslie Boyd , better known as Tommy Boyd, is a British radio and television presenter who now lives in Chichester, West Sussex.-Early career:...
. Mike eventually returned to Toronto, but Mullarkey would briefly join him to revive 'Mullarkey and Myers' in Canada. Later still, he appeared in Myers' début in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is a 1997 American science fiction/action-comedy film and the first film of the Austin Powers series. It was directed by Jay Roach and written by Mike Myers who also stars in the title role. Myers also plays Dr. Evil, Austin Powers' arch-enemy...
, as the Customs Officer who freaks Austin out with his penis enlarger. (He also appeared again in Goldmember
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers in Goldmember is a 2002 American spy comedy film and the third installment of the Austin Powers series starring Mike Myers in the title role. The movie was directed by Jay Roach, and co-written by Mike Myers and Michael McCullers. Myers also plays the roles of Dr. Evil, Goldmember,...
and helped Mike Myers
Mike Myers (actor)
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer of British parentage...
do uncredited rewrites of So I Married An Axe Murderer
So I Married an Axe Murderer
So I Married an Axe Murderer is a 1993 American comedy-horror film starring Mike Myers and Nancy Travis. Myers plays Charlie McKenzie, a man afraid of commitment until he meets Harriet , who works at a butcher shop and may be a serial killer...
).
Mullarkey has since developed a performance career in theatre, television, cinema and radio.
As a founding member of The Comedy Store Players
The Comedy Store Players
The Comedy Store Players is a group of improvising comedy performers known for their performances at The Comedy Store in London. The group first came into being in October 1985.Members of the group have included:*Dave Cohen*Jeremy Hardy*Kit Hollerbach...
, he is regularly performing on the UK comedy circuit.
Mullarkey runs management workshops and hosts conferences for private and public organisations. In his Improvyourbiz workshops he uses the techniques of theatre improvisation to inspire business people to embrace their creativity and enhance their communication skills.
Theatre
He is a founder member of The Comedy Store PlayersThe Comedy Store Players
The Comedy Store Players is a group of improvising comedy performers known for their performances at The Comedy Store in London. The group first came into being in October 1985.Members of the group have included:*Dave Cohen*Jeremy Hardy*Kit Hollerbach...
, and still appears with them regularly at London's Comedy Store.
He has written and performed four one-man shows;
- A Bit of Quiet Fun
- Memoirs of Lord Naughty
- All That Mullarkey
- Don't Be Needy Be Succeedy
Don't Be Needy Be Succeedy won the Fringe Report Award for Best Satire of 2002. In it Mullarkey plays L. Vaughan Spencer, Life Coach, Self-Help Guru and Gangsta Motivator. The book Don't Be Needy Be Succeedy: The A to Z of Motivitality was published by Profile Books in November 2008.
Mullarkey starred with 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 the sell-out West End run of One Word Improv and has guested with The Groundlings in Los Angeles and The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
in Toronto.
Television
On television, his numerous appearances include:- Whose Line is it Anyway
- The ManageressThe ManageressThe Manageress is a 1989 television series about a woman who becomes manager of a professional football team. The series starred Cherie Lunghi as Gabrielle Benson and Warren Clarke as the chairman of the second division club. It was independently produced for Channel 4 by Glenn Wilhide and Sophie...
- LovejoyLovejoyLovejoy is a TV series about the adventures of Lovejoy, a British antiques dealer and faker based in East Anglia, a less than scrupulous yet likeable rogue. The episodes were based on a series of picaresque novels by John Grant...
- Smith and JonesAlas Smith and JonesAlas Smith and Jones is a British comedy sketch television series featuring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones. It was broadcast on the BBC from 1984 to 1998...
- Saturday Live
- QIQIQI is a British comedy panel game television quiz show created and co-produced by John Lloyd, hosted by Stephen Fry, and featuring permanent panellist Alan Davies. Most of the questions are extremely obscure, making it unlikely that the correct answer will be given...
- Have I Got News For YouHave I Got News for YouHave I Got News for You is a British television panel show produced by Hat Trick Productions for the BBC. It is based loosely on the BBC Radio 4 show The News Quiz, and has been broadcast since 1990, currently the BBC's longest-ever running television panel show...
- Carrott Confidential
- Paul Merton: The SeriesPaul Merton: The SeriesPaul Merton: The Series is a British sketch show that aired on Channel 4 from 1991 to 1993. The main star was Paul Merton, who co-wrote it along with John Irwin. It is not currently available on DVD but every episode is available for viewing free via Channel 4 service 4od and YouTube in the UK....
- AbsolutelyAbsolutely (TV series)Absolutely is a popular United Kingdom television comedy sketch show shown on Channel 4 between 1989 and 1993.The cast and crew were mainly Scottish; the principal writers and performers were Moray Hunter, Jack Docherty, Peter Baikie, Gordon Kennedy , Morwenna Banks and John Sparkes...
He was a writer on Tony Hawks
Tony Hawks
Antony Gordon Hawksworth, better known as Tony Hawks, is a British comedian and author.-Early life:Born in Brighton in 1960, Hawks was educated at Brighton Hove and Sussex Grammar School and Brighton College...
's show Morris Minor's Marvellous Motors and co-wrote (with Greg Proops
Greg Proops
Gregory Everett "Greg" Proops is an American actor, stand-up comedian and television host. He is widely known for his work as an improvisational comedian on the UK and U.S. versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?...
) The Amazing Colossal Show for BBC2. He hosted American Freak for America's Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
network.
He also does regular TV advert voiceover work.
Cinema
Mullarkey has acted in the films:- Leon the Pig FarmerLeon the Pig FarmerLeon the Pig Farmer is a 1993 comedy about a Jewish estate agent in London who discovers that thanks to an artificial insemination mishap, his real father owns a pig farm in Yorkshire...
- A Fistful of Fingers
- Solitaire for 2 (of which he wrote the novelization)
- Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryAustin Powers: International Man of MysteryAustin Powers: International Man of Mystery is a 1997 American science fiction/action-comedy film and the first film of the Austin Powers series. It was directed by Jay Roach and written by Mike Myers who also stars in the title role. Myers also plays Dr. Evil, Austin Powers' arch-enemy...
- Austin Powers in GoldmemberAustin Powers in GoldmemberAustin Powers in Goldmember is a 2002 American spy comedy film and the third installment of the Austin Powers series starring Mike Myers in the title role. The movie was directed by Jay Roach, and co-written by Mike Myers and Michael McCullers. Myers also plays the roles of Dr. Evil, Goldmember,...
- Comic Act
- SpiceworldSpiceworldSpiceworld is the second studio album by British pop group the Spice Girls, released in 1997 . It is also the name of their tie-in film. It was released in Britain the same year their first album, Spice, was released in the US. The album became a huge hit worldwide, lengthening the so-called...
Radio
Mullarkey hosted Missed Demeanours for BBC Radio 4, was a regular performer on Bits from Last Week's RadioBits from Last Week's Radio
Bits from Last Week's Radio was a radio programme that aired from Jan 1995-July 1996. There were 24 hour-long episodes and it was broadcast on BBC Radio 1. It starred Greg Proops...
, co-wrote and starred in FAB TV and has appeared on Just a Minute
Just a Minute
Just a Minute is a BBC Radio 4 radio comedy panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. Its first transmission on Radio 4 was on 22 December 1967, three months after the station's launch. The Radio 4 programme won a Gold Sony Radio Academy Award in 2003....
, The News Quiz
The News Quiz
The News Quiz is a topical panel game broadcast on British radio BBC Radio 4.-History:It was first broadcast in 1977 with Barry Norman as chairman. Subsequently it was chaired by Simon Hoggart, Barry Took , and then again by Simon Hoggart until March 2006. Hoggart was replaced by Sandi Toksvig in...
, Quote...Unquote, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, sometimes abbreviated to ISIHAC or Clue, is a BBC radio comedy panel game broadcast since 11 April 1972 at the rate of one or two series each year , transmitted on BBC Radio 4, with occasional repeats on BBC Radio 4 Extra and the BBC's World Service...
, Loose Ends, In Touch and The Unbelievable Truth. He wrote and presented the documentary Ten Years of the Comedy Store Players.
External links
- http://www.spoonfed.co.uk/artist/comedy-1524/neil-mullarkey-12245/
- http://www.neilmullarkey.com/
- http://www.improvyourbiz.com/
- http://www.succeedy.com/
- http://thesucceeder.com/