Kit and The Widow
Encyclopedia
Kit and The Widow are a double act
, performing humorous songs in the vein of Tom Lehrer
or Flanders and Swann
; they also cite Anna Russell
as an influence. They are Kit Hesketh-Harvey
(singer) and Richard Sisson
(The Widow, pianist). They have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe
and in West End
theatres, and accept private bookings. They have issued a double CD album, Les Enfants du Parody, and more recently the CD 100 Not Out.
Their style combines musical classicism and an understated Cambridge urbanity with often outrageous satirical
content. Targets of their humour range from stereotypes, such as the English white van driver (White Van Man) and new-agers (Dog on a String), to the more specific, such as the TSA
(Bring it on) and even particular individuals such as Andrew Lloyd Webber
(Somebody Else).
Their poignant song Swansong is a unique poem set to music about rubbish and modern life.
They were a core act at the BBC Comedy Prom 2011 hosted by Tim Minchin
and featuring Sue Perkins
.
Double act
A double act, also known as a comedy duo, is a comic pairing in which humor is derived from the uneven relationship between two partners, usually of the same gender, age, ethnic origin and profession, but drastically different personalities or behavior...
, performing humorous songs in the vein of Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer
Thomas Andrew "Tom" Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, mathematician and polymath. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater...
or Flanders and Swann
Flanders and Swann
The British duo Flanders and Swann were the actor and singer Michael Flanders and the composer, pianist and linguist Donald Swann , who collaborated in writing and performing comic songs....
; they also cite Anna Russell
Anna Russell
Anna Russell, née Anna Claudia Russell-Brown was an English–Canadian singer and comedienne. She gave many concerts in which she sang and played comic musical sketches on the piano...
as an influence. They are Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Christopher John "Kit" Hesketh Harvey is a British musical comic performer, translator, composer and scriptwriter.Born in Nyasaland , he was educated as senior chorister at Canterbury Cathedral and then Tonbridge School in Kent before moving on as a choral scholar under John Rutter to Clare...
(singer) and Richard Sisson
Richard Sisson
Richard Sisson is a pianist and composer. As well as concert works, he has composed extensively for the theatre. He is also part of the cabaret double-act Kit and The Widow alongside Kit Hesketh-Harvey.- External links :* * *...
(The Widow, pianist). They have performed 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...
and in West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
theatres, and accept private bookings. They have issued a double CD album, Les Enfants du Parody, and more recently the CD 100 Not Out.
Their style combines musical classicism and an understated Cambridge urbanity with often outrageous satirical
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
content. Targets of their humour range from stereotypes, such as the English white van driver (White Van Man) and new-agers (Dog on a String), to the more specific, such as the TSA
Transportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States....
(Bring it on) and even particular individuals such as Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
(Somebody Else).
Their poignant song Swansong is a unique poem set to music about rubbish and modern life.
They were a core act at the BBC Comedy Prom 2011 hosted by Tim Minchin
Tim Minchin
Timothy David "Tim" Minchin is a British-Australian comedian, actor, and musician.Tim Minchin is best known for his musical comedy, which has featured in six CDs, three DVDs and a number of live comedy shows which he has performed internationally. He has also appeared on television in Australia,...
and featuring Sue Perkins
Sue Perkins
Sue Perkins is an English comedienne, broadcaster, actress, and writer.-Education:Perkins was educated at Croham Hurst School, an independent school for girls in Croydon in South London, at the same time as the BBC Breakfast News presenter Susanna Reid...
.