Tongue in Cheek Comedy, Janice Connolly, 0151 728 9898, Barbara, Theatre, Radio, Higher, Peter, Manc

Janice Connolly

Janice was spotted by Peter Kay as Barbara at The North West new act final – that he had won the previous year (Other winners include Caroline Aherne John Thompson and Dave Spikey ).

He asked her to be in his new TV series “That Peter Kay thing” and she then went on to star in both series of “Phoenix Nights “ as god fearing Holy Mary .Oher Tv includes playing Peter`s mum In Coronation Street .”Max and Paddy “as Holy Mary again - Dave Spikey`s “Dead Man Weds “as Carole and BBc 2`s skating rink comedy ”Thin Ice “

In 2006 Janice appeared at the Fringe performing at The Pleasance Dome in award winning Pentabus Theatres “White Open Spaces” to much critical success. The play, which examined racism in the countryside , was transferred to The Soho Theatre in Sept and went on to play The national Theatre in Stockholm before being shortlisted for a 2006 South Bank award. The play was also serialised on radio 4`s Women`s Hour.

Mrs Barbara Nice

Mrs. Barbara Nice is a much loved headline act throughout Britain – Mother of Five from Stockport she believes in bargains and getting the most out of life –Ergonomically correct she doesn`t drive and travels the country by National Express coach –her husband knows nothing of her burgeoning comedy career –he thinks she`s either at Bingo or dog sitting.

“The malapropism spouting Stockport Housewife is a force of nature –energetically cajoling the audience to take part in her hare brained stunts and injecting an unbeatable air of fun and excitement into the room.
Chortle

She has been compared to the following –Victoria Wood , Mrs. Merton , Janis Joplin, The Shake `n` Vac woman , Julie Walters and Patti Smith.

“prepare for the mothering of your life “
Yorkshire on line

“ Barbara Nice truely is the peoples Princess ...She is a monument to triumph over adversity and a beacon to ordianary people “
Brighton Argos

“-your`e guarenteed the best night out with a woman old enough to be your mother that you`ve had in a long time “!
British Theatre Stage

“Hilarious Whatever she does"
Manchester On line

“Excellent -Has The Audinece in the palm of her hand right from the start – great timing and unique comic insights “
Natalie Anglesy - Manchester Eve News

“ A warm and wonderful act ,an enthusiastic , livewire force of nature its hard not to love .”
Chortle “The Benign Dictator“ Daniel Kitson

Reviews

“Janice Connolly`s excellent post menopausal housewife offers an object lesson in converting complete strangers to your highly individual perspective . She has to be seen to be believed“
Jay Richardson –Scotsman

“showing range and flexibility”
The Stage

“Janice Connolly Shines “
Edinburgh Evening News

“Janice Connolly `s performance is spectacular – she excels.“
Edinburgh Theatre Guide.com 2006

Hiya and Higher

Mrs. Barbara Nice –ordinary housewife extraordinaire - returns to Edinburgh to play at Stand Two. This is the second time the Stockport born Mother of 5 and keen take a break reader has trod the boards at Stand Two the first time being under the wing of Johnny Vegas`s then management (who were also responsible for spotting Alan Carr –so they obviously know a thing or two ) That time she came for just two weeks - this time –buoyed up by her box office success at The Pod in 2004 and her increasing reputation nationally - she`s back for the full run .

“Hiya and Higher “is a brand new show which celebrates in true Barbara Nice style the uplifting benefits of saying Hiya !. Barbara wants to know If no man is an island why do we try and hide from neighbours when we spot them in supermarket aisles?.

Barbara Thinks saying Hiya is like going for a swim –you don’t always fancy it but you always feel better after .

Barbara will be running a raffle –nothing unites strangers like a book of cloakroom tickets and a box of Milk Tray and unbridled competitiveness . Barbara will be stage diving – Hiya and higher !

Barbara is worried that we are living In a world of ever diminishing friendliness where we keep our selves to ourselves , heads down afraid to catch anyone`s eye . She wants us all to stand proud , be open and look the World right in the eye –or we won`t feel the benefit!

Expect a friendly inclusive atmosphere, Home Truths. Great timing and unique comic insights into the human condition “Hiya and Higher “ aims to do for waving and live comedy what “The Lives of Others “ has done for surveillance and film.

TV & Radio

T.V

That Peter Kay thing-Leonard-Channel four

Coronation Street (Peter Kays Mother) Granada

Dead Man weds Carole-ITV

Channel 4's 'Phoenix Nights' as Holy Mary Stephen Bill`s "The Locksmith " BBC2 as Yvonne.

"Car Sharks" Bravo T.V.-as Barbara

"Inside Out" BBC One-as Barbara

"Doctors" BBC as Shirley

"The Last Word" Granada (interactive current affairs show)

Radio

Regular guest on The Mark Radcliffe Show-Radio 2

Childrens story telling-Radio 5

Regular guest on The Fred Mc Cauley show-as Barbara

Pass The Monkey-Game show pilot for BBC Scotland-as Barbara

Theatre and Touring

As Barbara Janice has performed at Number One venues throughout the country including

Manchester Opera House, The Albert Hall, Blackpool Opera House , The Royal Court , The Cafe de Paris London And has had one woman shows at The Komedia Brighton, Buxton Fringe, The Soho Theatre and The wonderful Lowry in Salford.

Tours include the Manchester Eve News Theatre Award nominated “Jumping on The Band wagon with fellow Phoenix Nights cast members Archy Kelly , Steve Edge and Patrick Mac Guniness –she has also supported Patrick on his latest sell out “Dark Side tour “.