Stephen Frost - Why the comedy star is tickled by The Streets

The quick-witted master of improv brings The Streets, Ella Fitzgerald and Status Quo to Neil’s studio.

Click here to listen to the Spotify playlist that accompanies this episode.

What a joy to sit down with the brilliant Stephen Frost – comedian, actor, and master improviser. I’ve been lucky to know Stephen for years, but he’s loved by a great many more for his roles in The Young Ones, Blackadder, and Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Stephen’s love of music is just as infectious as his onstage energy. In fact you can feel that energy in many of his choices! He loves the hit of an intro that grabs hold of you from the outset – step forward Status Quo and Thin Lizzy.

There’s also a real South London vibe to Stephen’s selection, which is no surprise as this has been his stomping ground for decades. He’s hung out in Brixton with the likes of Alabama 3 – famous for producing the track that became the theme music for The Sopranos. And he can’t help but love the humour of Mike Skinner that’s peppered throughout The Streets.

But on a Sunday morning at home… it’s time for some jazz, and the unmatched voice of Ella Fitzgerald.

Featured artists & tracks: 

• Status Quo – “Mean Girl”, “Down Down”

• Thin Lizzy – “Dancing in the Moonlight”, “Jailbreak”

• Roxy Music – “Virginia Plain”

• Martha and the Muffins – “Echo Beach”

• The Streets – “Let’s Push Things Forward”, “Get Out of My House”

• Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – “Stompin’ at the Savoy”

• Ella Fitzgerald – “Blue Skies”

• Alabama 3 – “Woke Up This Morning”, “U Don’t Dans 3 Tekno”