Alun Cochrane
Comedian
Hal Cruttenden
Comedian, Actor & Writer
Hal is unashamedly suburban, teetering on the edge of a mid-life crisis. According one critic, 'he takes the personal and the ridiculous, then whizzes them into a delicious comedy smoothie.' He's appeared on Live at The Apollo, Royal Variety Performance, and Have I Got News For You.
JLA Agent - Allan GrantHal's comedy is perfect for corporate audiences. He's instantly endearing - with McIntyre-style energy, stage presence (and campness) along with wonderfully self deprecating put-downs. I'm still laughing at the gag about ignoring his child's schooling because she didn't ask him about his own day.
Biography
Hal Cruttenden is one of the top touring stand-up comedians working today and an accomplished writer, presenter, and actor. With a comedic view from a mid-life, middle class perspective, Hal has been described as 'taking the personal and the ridiculous, then whizzing them into a delicious comedy smoothie' with material exploring social media, the insanity of politics, and the lack of respect shown by one's own children.
As well as appearances on Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, The Royal Variety Performance, Would I Lie To You, The One Show, The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice and The Apprentice: You’re Fired, Hal has co-hosted TNT's The Rugby’s On with Ugo Monye, and written and starred in his own sitcom, Hal, on Radio 4. He’s toured extensively in the UK and Ireland for over a decade, and has taken shows to the Montreal, Melbourne, and New Zealand comedy festivals. He has also recorded three stand-up specials - Tough Luvvie, Straight Outta Cruttenden and Chubster.
Away from comedy, Hal trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, and has portrayed Winston Churchill on film, and appeared in Shackleton, Eastenders, and Touching Evil.
“Hal was brilliant. It's a super-tough crowd in that room and he had them very well entertained.”
He was a great success and it was a pleasure to meet him – such a lovely man.
Those of us who run Awards serving the 'nichier' sectors have a pretty demanding brief for our comic hosts: we want them to be as funny as they would be in their stand-up, and maybe just as rude, and definitely sparring with our audience members.
BUT, we would also like them to take a bit of an interest in what 'our' industry does, rather than just laughing at it, and we'd like them to be a tad respectful of our people and the pride they take in their achievements – even if the prizewinning product does look to the layman like a white box or a widget. And did i mention that we'd really like the host to keep the pace up, as we've got lots of awards to get through, while having everyone leaving the event with a warm feeling too?
It's quite a brief, but it's one that Hal Cruttendon has delivered on for me, on two different occasions. SImply put, you know if you are planning an Awards that Hal will put the effort in to making it a memorable night.
Lovely to work with, he kept the energy in the room high. Hal had read the information about our event and made sure he knew a little about the audience and adapted his performance to relate to the products in the awards making winners feel special. He met our objectives perfectly.
I can't even remember the last time someone made me laugh that much! I was not the only one reduced to tears!
Hal was a great success. I have received nothing but good feedback so far. He was lovely to work with as well.
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