Jazz Emu (Archie Henderson)
Comedy
Archie Henderson is an award-winning writer, actor, musician, and creator of viral comedy character Jazz Emu, whose videos and songs have garnered over 50 million streams. This year, he was named one of the 50 funniest comedians of the 21st Century by Dominic Cavendish in the Telegraph, landing at number 26 on the list.
His musical character comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe 2022 (Jazz Emu: You Shouldn’t Have), was included on The Telegraph’s “Top Shows To See At The Edinburgh Fringe”, and the British Comedy Guide’s “Best Reviewed Shows At The Edinburgh Fringe”.
In late 2022, he took the show to the main stage of London’s Soho Theatre for a week’s sell-out run, receiving stellar reviews (see below). In Chortle's 2023 Awards, Archie won in two categories - 'Best Variety or Character Act' and the 'Social Media Award'.
Since 2019, he has been building a cult following with songs and sketches from his awkwardly-smooth comedy character Jazz Emu, resulting in plays on BBC RADIO 1 and multiple performances on BBC RADIO 4’s THE NOW SHOW.
Watch his videos on YouTube here or TikTok here.
In 2022, Blink Industries produced the Jazz Emu pilot. They are now developing the project further.
Watch the Jazz Emu pilot here.
His music videos and sketches led to a collaboration with BLINK INDUSTRIES on a teaser pilot for a musical sitcom, which is currently in development.
Jazz/Archie has a full-band live show in development for this year.
As well as in his own viral online sketches, Archie has most recently acted in BBC Three pilot BRITNEY, a Youtube-commissioned pilot with band EASY LIFE, and Sky TV’s SO BEANO.
REVIEWS FOR JAZZ EMU’S YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE
·“I may just have found my new favourite comedian… I barely stopped laughing for a whole hour.” ★★★★★ The Times
·“This a work of genius” ★★★★★ The Telegraph
·“Fantastically funny and ferociously funky” ★★★★★ The List
·“A perfect platform for Jazz Emu’s stunning, groovy vocals, music and comedic talent.” ★★★★★ North West End
·“A joyful hour with a delusional musical star” ★★★★ The Guardian
·“A confident blend of surrealism and genuinely impressive musicianship.” ★★★★ The Scotsman
·“What is going on? Where am I? Am I falling in love?” ★★★★ Broadway Baby.
·“There’s a touch of the Flight Of The Conchords… but Jazz Emu is very much his own strange artist… a thoroughly entertaining hour.” ★★★★ Chortle
·“This perfectly pitched, daft hour of character comedy is a revelation!” ★★★★ British Theatre Guide
·“In life, we’ll come across a rare few people who’ll make us wonder how exactly their brain works because they operate on an entirely different plane – that is Jazz Emu, in short.” ★★★★ The Wee Review
·“This one man show has it all. Jazz Emu's genre-busting stand-up, musical theatre extravaganza will have you tapping your feet with tears of laugher streaming from your eyes.” Time Out
AWARDS
·Chortle Best Variety Act 2023 (Winner)
·Chortle Social Media Award 2023 (Winner)
.Best Ensemble LOCO London Comedy Film Festival 2023 (Winner)
·Chortle Legends of Lockdown 2021 (Winner)
·Chortle Best Variety Act 2022 (Nominated)
·Amused Moose Award 2019 (People’s Champion)
·Finalist: So You Think You're Funny 2017
·Shortlisted: BBC New Comedy Award 2018
·Shortlisted: Pleasance Comedy Reserve 2019