INTERVIEW - Dane Baptiste

Dane Baptiste, pic credit Steve Ullathorne

SIX years ago Dane Baptiste was working in a job that didn't fulfil him. Now he's a fully fledged professional comedian and a rising star on the circuit with two award nominations, a BBC3 sitcom and plenty of appearances on TV comedy shows under his belt.

It may seem a meteoric rise to some but the 34 year old from Lewisham isn't about to get excited about it.

In fact, quite the opposite in that Dane prefers to keep his feet very firmly on the ground and is modest about his achievements - although he admits that he has achieved things he previously had only ever dreamt about.

Indeed it's a dream come true to be making a living out of making people laugh - something he had wanted to do ever since he saw the likes of American comedian Chris Rock on TV and Russell Peters live at the Broadway Theatre in Catford when Dane was 15.

But his success has come at a bit of a price - that of worrying about whether or not it's going to last and is he as good as people tell him. In fact he says it is a constant source of worry that his new found career - which he loves - is about to come to an untimely end.

All these misgivings and worrisome thoughts have provided the perfect inspiration for his latest stand up show, Reasonable Doubts, its name taken from the title of Jay Z's debut album, in which Dane discusses doubt and how his life has changed in the past few years.

He is currently touring the show and as well as some South London dates later on this year he is doing five nights at the Soho Theatre starting on Tuesday of next week.

"The idea is that when you do something for the first time and it's a success, everyone raves about it but then questions whether you will be able to do the sequel and get the success you had with the first," he says cheerfully.

"I have doubts just like anyone else so I talk about them and the sacrifices I made to pursue my creative endeavours - such as no long term relationship and not being able to afford to buy my own home for example.

"The trappings of celebrity can make you detached," he adds. "I had a normal job for so long. But now I'm doing what I love so I never get carried away as it could all end tomorrow. I worry I wake up one day and find myself bankrupt!

"I am from a normal working class background and if my fortunes do change for the better I don't want to lose my humility."

And there's more besides which spill out of Dane at a fearsome rate. He talks quickly but softly and has plenty to say about politics, comedy, the refugee crisis, the NHS and growing up in South London. It's clear he wants to put the world to rights through his comedy.

"We have reality TV shows where people are successful for having no talent - so what's the point of learning a craft to be successful?" he says.

"It's ridiculous because they are telling people you can become a millionaire by doing nothing.

"Maybe we should put those who work in the NHS on the same pedestal as we do footballers and these reality TV people.

"And then there is the issue of affordable housing - who can afford to live in these flats they are building in Lewisham at the moment? It's insane but I worry about it all.

"It sounds morbid but everyone has doubts and this show is about me dealing with all these things. There's lots to talk about!"

And with so much to say on so many topics, and in such a funny and self deprecating way I ask what took Dane so long to get behind the mic.

It was he says a bit of a gamble but as he was stuck in a dead end job, it was worth the risk.

"When I was at school at Lee Manor Primary I used to make the other kids laugh and always wanted to be an entertainer but didn't know how to pursue it - I certainly didn't know you could make a living out of it," he says.

"I remember watching Hale and Pace, Russ Abbott and Harry Enfield as well as American comics like Chris Rock and being really inspired - Chris Rock and his experiences was the light bulb moment for me.

"I considered it when I was at uni but those who wanted to get into entertainment were douche bags and I just didn’t like it. I never saw anyone like myself do it and had no idea how to become a comedian.

"I also wanted to be the good guy and support my family. So I got a job - although starting work at about the same time as the credit crunch happened wasn't ideal!"

But he cheerfully admits it wasn't enough and it wasn't long before he decided to take a punt on doing comedy as a career.

That was six years ago. The rest as they say is history.

But even with his success, he refuses to "bask in the glow of celebrity" and so we get back to those irksome doubts of his.

He credits his upbringing, his family and his friends for helping him keep his feet on the ground.

He grew up in Lewisham in a "nice stable family" where he "would rather have gone to prison than disobey or annoy" his parents.

"I have good friends and family and that's instrumental to my success," he says. "They keep me grounded.

"Although primary school was a bit difficult because I felt very constrained, I enjoyed my time when I was at secondary school at Askes.

"I found out more about intra racial differences but was never involved in gangs - I was never interested in that. I know people who got into trouble but it wasn't for me.

"I also didn't want to let my parents down. They instilled a sense of working hard so I never take anything for granted."

And to prove that he's kept his feet on the ground, he still lives in the borough in which he grew up and says he doesn't think he could live anywhere else.

"Life's great but I will never take it for granted," he says. "Working hard to do something you love is fantastic - even on the worst day things are better than the best day in the office - which was the day I left!

"Not many people get to do this so I'm very lucky."

Dane Baptiste is doing his show Reasonable Doubts at the Soho Theatre until Saturday, May 7.

Visit http://www.sohotheatre.com/ for full listings.

THREE star review for Darknet, at the Southwark Playhouse

pic credit Lidia Crisafulli

THREE STARS

THE internet can be a scary place. It can be used to spy on someone or an organisation, it can become an obsession and it can hide those who use it to harm others.

Darknet, a play which is a collaboration between Rose Lewenstein and Russell Bender, and now on at the Southwark Playhouse, shines a light on the shady dealings that go on online.

It navigates through the world of data transparency and the uncharted deep web, uncovering the things we choose to share online and the places in which we can hide.

It is set in South London at some point in the future. It features a variety of characters whose lives intermingle - we have schoolgirl Kyla who goes to Jamie to get help in the form of methadone for her drug addicted mother. Then there is Allen, who works for Octopus Inc, a somewhat sinister and shady internet giant that pretty much controls society and allows users to exchange personal data for currency. He in turn is trying to persuade cyber hacker Gary to join the company rather than serve out his sentence for hacking in jail.

It is an interesting piece, exploring fascinating themes and full of characters who find themselves at the mercy of the web and who get drawn into it and ultimately get trapped.

As such it is dark, murky, creepy and at times sinister and disturbing, although there is also plenty of humour that runs through it and the use of iPads and iPods is a clever and neat touch.

However there are moments when it doesn't work, in particular the scene changes. That said it is very well acted, particularly Ella McLoughlin as Kyla and Gyuri Sarossy who is suitably creepy as the crooked Allen.

Darknet is on at the Southwark Playhouse, Newington Causeway until May 7. Visit http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/ for full listings.

INTERVIEW - Bertie Watkins of CoLab theatre

picture credit Chrystal Ding

SOMEWHERE in a warehouse in deepest South London strange things and shady dealings are afoot.

An undercover police operation is underway to bring down the Don of the criminal underworld.

But this isn't the latest covert operation by the Met's boys in blue. No, this is CROOKS, a play in which the audience decide the fate of the police, the drugs baron and all his associates.

Conceived by theatre collective CoLab, the show is described by its writer and artistic director Bertie Watkins as pervasive theatre.

"We created CROOKS so that the audience can be very much at the heart of the narrative," he explains.

"It's a black comedy and a bit cockney gangster and anyone who likes Guy Ritchie films will love it.

"It's also an intense and immersive show in that every person who comes through the door has a reason to be there - they play a part and will have as much a role in the story as the actors performing for them."

Split into groups of 10 the audience meet at a secret warehouse in Borough before being taken on a journey into the criminal underworld.

They are taken to different rooms and settings during the 90-minute piece and are encouraged to get involved by asking questions and interacting with the actors.

Their decisions about what happens to the characters in each scene informs the direction of the play and ultimately the ending.

Scenarios include being able to save a captured cop, play Russian roulette with the Don and take part in a major drug deal in the notorious Cockney Cartel.

Audiences must hold their nerve, test their skills in subterfuge and interrogation, and, above all, not get caught as they go head to head against the gangs of the seedy London underworld.

It is, says Ben, great fun but also a little sinister.

"The last show we did in this style was really exciting and audiences loved it so we were keen to do another one," he tells me.

"It was brilliant coming up with the idea and then creating it. Drug cartels was quite a hard subject to research but I'm a huge Guy Ritchie fan so I drew on his films for inspiration. I also looked at news stories like the recent Hatton Garden robbery.

"The setting too just lends itself to this sort of plot - it looks like a dodgy drugs den - and as the company is based here and I live not far from here it made sense."

Although Bertie says it is "a night of incredible fun" in which people can act out and channel their inner James Bond, he admits it was a challenge to create.

"It's quite complex as we have 10 different characters and four different endings so depending on the audience reactions and decisions, it can mean a different ending each night," he says.

"There are bullet points but there is no script in the traditional sense so the actors are on their toes all the time.

"Anything can happen and it's really unpredictable, although we do create boundaries and the actors help the audience in their choices, are directed by them and answer their questions.

"The audience can decide what happens to the Don - they can let him go, hand him over to the cops, betray his gang, hide evidence or give it up - it's great fun but their choices affect the outcome of the evening.
"But we've had to approach it like a military operation - it's been challenging and the timings are crucial."

Although Bertie says the audience are encouraged to be part of it, they don't have to be and can just turn up to watch it all unfold.

"We don't want it to be intimidating - we want it to be fun so if they want to step back they can," he says. "However, we find that they do want to interact which makes it really exciting and much more interesting.

"We want them to come along and expect something that isn't what they would normally experience going to the theatre. They have to be ready for anything!"

CROOKS is on at a secret location in Borough until Friday, May 20. Tickets cost £22. Visit www.colabtheatre.co.uk for full listings.

INTERVIEW - Ali Campbell of UB40

WITH upwards of 70 million record sales under his belt, a string of top hits to his name not to mention eight kids and now becoming a granddad, Ali Campbell has plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

In fact, the frontman of UB40, one of the UK's most popular bands ever, tells me life has never been better.

We chat as he prepares for a UK arena tour in which he and bandmates Mickey Virtue and Astro will perform classic hits and gems from their seminal albums Labour Of Love Parts I & II.

The tour takes in the O2 Arena in Greenwich, a venue Ali tells me he can't wait to get into and start playing.

"I've never played at the 02 before but I did see Stevie Wonder there which was cool so we are going to make sure it's a good gig," he says in his West Midlands lilt.

"It's been a while since we were last in Greenwich so it will be brilliant to be back.

"I've got good memories of playing in South London - last time it was the Indig02 and it was brilliant - so I'm hoping we'll get a good crowd in who are all keen to hear our songs and party with us."

And he promises fans won't be disappointed as there will be a full set of hits from Red, Red Wine, Kingston Town and The Way You Do The Things You Do.

"I can't wait because it'll just be hit after hit after hit," he says cheerfully. "I've never sung the album in its entirety before so it'll be a load of fun.

"The songs just stand the test of time and we still get a kick out of playing them."

And he hints that as well as the golden oldies there will be some new material.

"There will be an encore so there may be some new stuff," he chuckles.

"The whole reason we started in the first place was to show people why we love reggae," he adds. "We knew these songs would be successful. It's emotional for me as ever since we started it's been about the music and promoting reggae to new audiences which is what we've always done."

They may be on a roll now but Ali admits the last few years have been tough, not least the split from his brothers who were part of the band's original line up.

Referring to them as the "Dark Side" he says the tensions are still there but says ultimately it's the fans who decide their fate.

And it's clear the fans are still there and loving the fact the band is back with their critically acclaimed 2014 album Sihouette and on tour - something Ali and the guys are delighted to be doing again since they reformed in 2013.

"We are in a great place and really happy," he says warmly. "It's better now and we are enjoying it more.

"It's been the greatest time for us - we are as strong as we ever were and so to do the big arena tour is exactly where we want to be.

"We've been to Hawaii and New Zealand and all over the place playing to both small and large audiences.

"In fact we've been in some quite luxurious and beautiful places and we feel very lucky to be able to do this.

"It makes a change from when we first started out all those years ago, slumming it in various shitholes and driving about in our Luton van with all our gear! Now we're like travelling troubadours," he adds laughing.

"It's a great life to be living in your 50s. It was great in our 20s and 30s but now it's even better.

"But it's about tenacity and refusing to go away and we kept on going because we believed in the music.

"At the time we started no one knew what dub and reggae was all about. When I first started UB40 in 1979 reggae had only been going since 1968 so it was tiny.

"Now it's got more interesting and people know much more about it which is fantastic - in fact reggae is the biggest influence in contemporary dance music. You hear it all around the world.

"There is a great scene in the West Coast of America and I love to go and visit and play with the likes of Rebelution and Slightly Stoopid who are making great music."

And he says he hopes to make an album and tour with some of them at some point in the future.

But for now his unplugged album which is being released by Warner Bros in July and the tour are uppermost in his mind.

He and Astro are writing "as we always do" and he promises there will be a new album at some point not to mention collaborations with some of his offspring.

"I'm a grandfather now and have eight kids and although I don't see enough of them, when I do it's great," he says warmly.

"One of my daughters supported us last year and my other daughter is also delving into the business."

But he says he draws the line at giving any of his kids advice.

"I can't because it's a different business these days," he says. "The one I grew up in was all about selling CDs and you can't do that now because it's all about downloads. It's all different.

"But we've always been lucky to have brilliant fans and a great reputation as a live band playing some of the best music in the world.

"UB40 gave us three million card carrying fans and the fact we play reggae means I'm still here today as people all over the world love it.

"We chose the right genre of music," he chuckles.

UB40 will be at the 02 in Greenwich with their Labour Of Love Tour on Friday, April 29. Visit www.myticket.co.uk for full listings.

INTERVIEW - Kloe Dean

A SOUTH London dancer and choreographer who is one of the rising stars of the hip hop world will be showcasing her latest work at this year's Breakin' Convention.

Catford-based Kloe Dean will bring her all-women dance collective Myself UK Dance Company to the Sadlers Wells-based festival this weekend to perform her latest composition, Red.

The 26-year-old who set up the group when she was just 18 said she's really looking forward to the event which celebrates the best in hip hop, body popping, street and breakdance.

Performed by the 10-strong group on the main Sadlers Wells stage, the abstract piece will feature a mix of popping and locking and aims to show how women stick together in times of need.

The themes in the dance are very much reflective of the ethos of the company - to promote empowerment, ambition, individuality and self worth and to represent women in the hip hop world in a positive light.

"I want to break the stereotypes of this largely male dominated area," Kloe tells me. "There are some great women dancers and groups but there aren't enough and a lot of them are run by men anyway.

"It's quite hard to be taken seriously in hip hop as a woman. So I want to change all that and inspire women and girls of all ages to get involved.

"This piece will look at women and how powerful they can be. The narrative is all about the journey in which the dancers support one another - how women can work really well independently and as individuals but how powerful we could be if we work together."

Kloe herself got into dance when she was a teenager although she admits it was more by chance than design.

"I'd always liked singing and acting but it was when I was 15 and going to my local youth club in Lewisham where it all happened," she says.

"I wanted to be a singer but they started doing dance classes and one day I went along and got hooked.

"I just felt comfortable dancing. I hear music and it inspires me and tells me what to do. I can have an idea of a story or moves but the music has to go with the idea. I can't create movement that doesn't have any feelings in it.

"I started doing shows and then was asked to audition for dance group Boy Blue Entertainment.

"It just went from there."

But it was on the back of a relationship break up that she decided to branch out on her own.

"I was in a relationship that went wrong and it broke my heart," she recalls.

"However I realised that I needed to be strong and so I decided to set this company up to empower myself and other women and show how strong we can be.

"It made me push myself and although it's been pretty challenging I love it."

And from there Kloe and Myself UK Dance Company have gone from strength to strength and she says she has plenty of goals and ambitions for the future.

"I want to develop myself as a choreographer though I'd love to do more singing and acting," she says warmly.

"I would also like a dance space in London for hip hop dancers - to create a dance space in London, that would be amazing."

But for now she's concentrating on Breakin' Convention, a festival that she has been performing at since 2009.

"It's brilliant and I've been blessed to have performed on both stages," she says. "The 10 girls in the piece are utterly amazing - it's a very strong piece and I know it will be epic."

Kloe Dean's Myself UK Dance Company is at Breakin' Convention on Saturday, April 30. Visit www.breakinconvention.com/ for full listings.