Colin Hoult

Colin Hoult

Colin Hoult was nominated for the best show in the 2022 Dave's Edinburgh Comedy Awards for his alter-ego Anna Mann, an enthusiastic middle-aged actress.

He was previously nominated for best sketch or character act at the 2010 Chortle awards. His TV credits include being a regular in Russell Howard’s Good News for BBC Three and Al Murray’s Multiple Personality Disorder for ITV1.

He was formerly one half of the double act Colin and Fergus (with Fergus Craig), who performed three shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and won a Writer's Guild Award

Read More

Colin Hoult: The Death Of Anna Mann

Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

Is this really the end for Anna Mann, the ebullient thespian alter-ego of Colin Hoult? It seems like it might be - and probably at the right time too, especially in the hour-long format. For her swansong sees her hit many of the same comedy notes as before. And while still joyously funny – and a welcome return five years since her last outing – the risk of repeating herself seems real. 

Her cheerful crowd work is, of course, a delight, greeting every name, no matter how commonplace, with an incredulous: ‘Fuck off, I love it!’ This time around, she gives people enduring animal nicknames, such as ‘gibbon’ and coins a new catchphrase: ‘If you go, I will.’ Because her robust, jaunty stoicism is facing its biggest challenge yet: a doctor’s grim prognosis. 

Once the terms of the gig’s engagement are set, we hear more of her friend Sue Clench (‘she’s not well’) as well as being introduced to her daughter Mahogany, who’s very ‘whoke’, and big sister Jane, who has a crucial role in the semi-convincing backstory we are about to hear.

That involves a run-through of her many husbands – from the theatrical to the turgid to the all-action hero – and her patchy career ranging from the video nasty Cannibal Bagpipes (‘little ripple of recognition over there’) to several corpses in Holby. Hoult has an ear for a good comedy name as well as the rhythms of the luvvie anecdotes he’s so affectionately parodying.

Though played with a very light hand, the idea of Anna dying allows Hoult to explore the idea of grief and the lasting memories we can leave each other, in between the absurd reminiscences of her fictional life.

As Anna takes the final curtain call, the show veers off in an unpredictable direction – not for a glib payoff but for a touching conclusion, although not quite the one we’d been led to expect. Then, of course, it’s undercut with the perfect line to go out on a laugh. RIP, Anna.

Colin Hoult: The Death Of Anna Mann is on at Pleasance Courtyard at 9.10pm

Read More

Published: 10 Aug 2022

Colin & Fergus

It's easy to see why powerful comedy agent Avalon snapped…
1/01/2010

Zimbani

Zimbani is the latest comedy show to venture into the…
1/01/2008

Past Shows

Edinburgh Fringe 2004

Colin & Fergus


Edinburgh Fringe 2005

Colin & Fergus


Edinburgh Fringe 2006

Colin & Fergus: Rutherford Lodge


Edinburgh Fringe 2008

Zimbani


Edinburgh Fringe 2010

Colin Hoult: Enemy Of The World


Edinburgh Fringe 2011

Colin Hoult's Inferno


Edinburgh Fringe 2013

Colin Hoult: Characthorse


Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Colin Hoult: The Death of Anna Mann


Edinburgh Fringe 2024

Colin Hoult: Colin


Agent

We do not currently hold contact details for Colin Hoult's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.

We see you are using AdBlocker software. Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you, so we would ask that you disable it for this site. Our ads are non-intrusive and relevant. Help keep Chortle viable.