Al Murray

Published by Bedford Upper School on Wednesday 12th of December 2012

Stand-up comedian and Old Bedfordian, Al Murray (77-86), returned to School yesterday with friend and fellow Old Bedfordian, Gavin Howard (77-87), to talk today's Sixth Formers about life after school. In a talk that had been '25 years in the making', the two OBs discussed the things that they wished that they had known at 17, as well as taking questions from the boys.

Highly entertaining and lively, Al Murray spoke about what it is like to be a comedian and what it took to achieve the success he has today - some 400 gigs a year in the early days! He told the audience about the satisfaction that comes from performing, 'Having a whole room laughing with you . . . there is nothing like it'. He also gave the boys a fascinating insight into the creative process of writing and perfecting a routine (rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite, and then some more!!).

Al Murray also praised his old Drama teacher at Bedford, Mike Morrison, for getting him started in writing, and entertained the audience with his fond memories of former Director of Music, Andrew Morris.

The OB duo sagely advised boys to play to their strengths and passions, not to try to fit into others expectations, and to stay friends with their fellow students for as long as they possibly could. Sound advice.