Extra date added for Colin Hoult’s triumphant farewell show to Anna Mann

Many fans of Colin Hoult may have first come to know him as an accomplished TV actor and master of character comedy, mercurial in his ability to inhabit different voices and personalities.

But it is for his consistent return to the much-adored character of failed actor, Anna Mann, that he has won the acclaim of audiences around the UK.

The character’s first full-length show Anna Mann: A Sketch Show for Depressives in 2016 was followed up the next year by Anna Mann in How We Stop the Fascists.

Now, after five years and some emotionally very difficult personal circumstances, Hoult has created what seems to be the last laugh for his beloved character, with The Death of Anna Mann. With a hugely successful Edinburgh Fringe run behind it, the show is now touring the UK.

Already selling out one Bristol date, a second has now been added at Tobacco Factory Theatres on November 19.

Hoult spoke to Bristol24/7 and explained why being someone else on stage has, in the end, helped him to share more of himself.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci5qgjkDqAd/?hl=en

For those unfamiliar with her oeuvre, who is Anna Mann?

“Anna Mann is the greatest actress of her generation. Actress, singer, welder, gotta have a backup. She’s been in everything and been cut from most things. In her own words ‘visceral, real, incredibly brave, occasionally shouty but generally a lot of fun’.”

Can you describe the history of the character, in shows, to date?

“She originally appeared in my show Carnival of Monsters as one of a variety of weird and wonderful characters. Then she came back for the sequel (at that point her outfit was just a headband and a cardigan, and I sometimes didn’t bother with the cardigan).

“She didn’t appear in the third which wasn’t as good, obviously. Then in 2016 I got severe depression, so she sort of took over and said, ‘Right let me do the shows now for a bit’ and she has done ever since, which is very helpful if a little exhausting.”

Have you been surprised by the extent to which Anna is adored by audiences?

“Yes! People really love her and open up to her. But I think she’s a good, lovely person who honestly sees the best in people. I can talk about her this way because I see her as entirely separate to me now. My producer often has to remind me that it is me on that stage, not her. I agree it’s weird.”

When did the emotional heart of what became The Death of Anna Mann start to emerge?

“It came in stages. Due to the pandemic, I had a lot longer to tinker on it than usual. One of the big inspirations came from a song by Marlon Williams called The Lonely Side of Her which I never used in the end, but it made me want to explore what she’s like when she isn’t at her most vibrant.

“I think my producer then suggested making the show about Anna’s death. Then I lost my brother, who was pretty much my best pal. Then the pandemic came, and finally I got diagnosed with ADHD, my new best pal. All this stuff made the show what it is in the end. I was always happy with it and enjoying creating it but when I added all this true stuff it seemed to become something bigger than the previous ones.”

Colin Hoult as Anna Mann – photo: courtesy of Chuckle Busters

In what ways does it free you, or confine you, to perform within the framework of a character? When it comes to channelling lived experience, does it ever allow you to be more honest?

“Yes it certainly does. Or rather, I think when you put some big experience into a character or a story or a narrative, then you can see it for what it really is. You can understand why it has emotional resonance. As myself I tend to just blab everything, overshare and so on. I can never slow my mind down or see it clearly. But when I’m someone else it all makes more sense, especially someone as confident and fun as Anna. I am not fun.”

Is this show really the end of Anna Mann, and if so, how will you feel to be at the end of this particular, much-loved era?

“I feel very emotional. She’s been a sort of saviour for me, which as I say I’m aware is very odd. It’s like killing an imaginary friend. But as Anna says, it’s time for me to try being and accepting myself. She’s done her work. So yes, this really is the end. That said, I think there’s a good chance in a year or so I will have a huge panic and you’ll be seeing The Resurrection of Anna Mann.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkFxdEJj0oQ/?hl=en

Chuckle Busters presents Colin Hoult: The Death of Anna Mann is at Tobacco Factory Theatres on November 19. Tickets are available at www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

Main photo: Linda Blacker

Read more: Genre-defying Rob Auton takes on crowds, and explains why he stands up in front of them

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: