Kevin Bishop is a deft comic performer whose straightforward sincerity deserves some credit too. We rate his quick character changes, but his work is more satisfying when there is someone to care about, not just an impersonation to recognise.
Fi1m perspective
In Muppet Treasure Island (1996), Kevin Bishop's Jim Hawkins stays earnest while Tim Curry makes himself thoroughly at home as Long John Silver. We warmed to Bishop because his sincerity gives the musical adventure a steady centre amid the broad comedy. It is a less rewarding assignment than Curry's, with fewer chances to be funny. Billy Connolly as Billy Bones and Jennifer Saunders as Mrs. Bluveridge are more naturally suited to the comic business. Bishop's contribution is quieter, and worth recognising without pretending he is the main attraction.
The supporting roles that followed make sense beside that performance. In L'Auberge espagnole (2002) and Russian Dolls (2005), he plays William within an ensemble; Irina Palm (2007), alongside Marianne Faithfull, gives him dramatic supporting work. These are useful reminders that his screen career did not proceed directly from Jim Hawkins to celebrity impressions. We would keep that straight-acting work in view when considering the comedian.
The decisive change came with Star Stories (2006–2008), followed by The Kevin Bishop Show (2008–2009), co-written with Lee Hupfield. Rapid changes of character and celebrity parody put his technical skill to more conspicuous use. Here he has more opportunity to be funny than the earnest boy among the puppets ever had. The reservation is that recognising an impression gives us a quick pleasure which cannot, on its own, sustain our interest in a character.
His one-man stage work in Fully Committed (2014) makes the strengths and the limitation particularly clear: quick character changes and laughs, but less warmth in the central performance. We respect that dexterity without finding it sufficient. Casting him as Nigel Norman Fletcher in the Porridge revival (2016–2017) gave that comic technique a continuing character to serve. For Bishop with more room to be funny, try Star Stories.
Biography
Kevin Bishop is an English actor, comedian and writer. Born in Bromley, he began his career with roles in Grange Hill and, at age 16, as Ben Quayle in Silent Witness (1997). His early film work includes playing Jim Hawkins in Muppet Treasure Island (1996).
Bishop is known for recurring television roles such as "Stupid" Brian in My Family and Ollie in Peep Show (2003 series). He starred in and co-wrote the sketch series The Kevin Bishop Show (2008–2009). Other credits include William in The Spanish Apartment (2002) and its sequel Russian Dolls (2005), Graham in A Few Best Men (2012), and Nigel Norman Fletcher in the BBC revival of Porridge (2016–2017). On stage he portrayed Dudley Moore in Pete and Dud: Come Again (2005–2006). He has also appeared in Super Fun Night (2013–2014) and Inside No. 9 (2014).
