Queen of Comedy: Eddie Izzard on 40 Years of Being Out
Ahead of a New Zealand tour, Eddie Izzard reflects on performing a solo Hamlet, revisiting classic stand-up routines, and embracing her identity as Suzy. Despite teasing about laziness, Izzard’s achievements tell a different story: she once ran 43 marathons in 51 days, followed by 27 marathons in 27 days, and later 31 marathons in 31 days—each time combining long-distance running with daily stand-up shows.
Currently, Izzard is amidst two world tours featuring performances in English, French, German, and Spanish. One tour is a solo adaptation of Hamlet, where she plays around 23 roles on a minimalist stage. The other is a stand-up comedy show called The Remix, which compiles highlights from her past routines since the 1990s, celebrating her status as one of Britain's greatest stand-up comedians.
"The Remix is basically a greatest hits from the half dozen or so past routines since the 1990s that have made Izzard one of the greatest British stand-up comics ever."
Despite playful suggestions that The Remix shows her "taking it easy," Izzard commands attention with her energetic presence and unique style. Interviews often lead to insightful tangents, such as turning a discussion on Hamlet into a detailed exploration of the history of British theatre before Shakespeare.
"A discussion on Hamlet becomes a small Ted Talk about the history of pre-Shakespeare British theatre since the Romans."
Her dedication to diverse performance formats and languages highlights a career marked by passion, endurance, and continual reinvention.
Author’s summary: Eddie Izzard’s expansive career blends remarkable endurance feats with groundbreaking solo theatre and legendary comedy, constantly redefining performance with wit and depth.