Matt Roper

Details

Known for a range of comic voices and for his larger than life alter-egos, Matt Roper is gaining prominence as the man behind the comic creation of Wilfredo – a musical comedy star and a festival hero. As himself, he has performed in all the major mediums of comedy, ranging from topical revue to radio sketch shows, commercials, improv, voice-overs and occasional forays into straight stand-up.

Matt has worked intensively in sketch-based comedy shows on the London fringe, firstly winning critical acclaim for his performances in two seasons of the satirical sketch show ‘Newsrevue’ (Canal Café Theatre) and later for his work as a writer-performer on ‘A Touch of Roberts and Roper’ (Jermyn St. Theatre) and ‘Nice Mischief’ (Jermyn St. Theatre).

In 2008 he performed a short comedy set at a benefit with the creation of a comic grotesque, which developed into the stage character of Wilfredo, a grotesque satire of a Mediterranean lounge singer. A few weeks later he performed the character at the Glastonbury Festival. The character has since established him as a cult figure on the music festival scene. At the annual Port Eliot Festival, Wilfredo has appeared onstage with Britpop legend Jarvis Cocker and punk poet laureate John Cooper Clarke. Matt has played the character on the Italian stage to public acclaim, touring the southern provinces and appearing at the Salento Summer Festival. Wilfredo has also been presented to capacity houses at London’s Café de Paris, the Tobacco Factory in Bristol, Brighton Komedia and the Leicester Square Theatre. At the 2011 and 2012 Edinburgh Fringe, he has received five star reviews for his feature length solo shows ‘Wilfredo: Erecto!’ and ‘The Wonderful World of Wilfredo’.

In 2011 Matt Roper played the Devil in a new political satire by Terry Newman (‘Bremner Bird and Fortune’), directed by Michael Eriera (‘The Afterlife of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore’) entitled ‘Lucifer: My Part in the New Labour Project (And How I Invented Coalition Government)’ at the Brighton Festival.

At the 2012 Edinburgh Festival, Matt appeared in Theatre Uncut’s season at the Traverse Theatre, in Andri Snaer Magnusson’s ten-minute playlet ‘Indulge’.

Recent writing credits have included the pilot for the forthcoming series of ‘Now Show Extra’ for BBC Radio Comedy. For BBC Radio Four Extra, his appearances have included ‘What’s So Funny?’ and ‘The Comedy Club Interviews’.

Press Quotes for Wilfredo:

“Big teeth, tight keks, outrageously travestied tunes, plus an original number or two from the Latin love god and toast of Glasto. With the look of a tramp, the libido of a goat, and the voice of a romantic, we love him.” Ben Walters, Time Out London

“I was rarely without a smile, and, leaving the show with a flower in hand, I couldn’t help but feel happier for it. Go see this show and take everyone you know with you.” Julian Benson, Three Weeks

“Weird, intimate and wonderful late night character comedy that really makes you feel you’re at the Fringe” Isy Suttie, The Guardian

“It’s a joyful and grin-inducing hour of entertainment. Roper’s performance marks him out as one to watch.” Michael MacLennan, Show’s We’re Lovin’, STV

“I instantly warmed to comedian Matt Roper’s grotesque Spaniard and found myself sucked delightfully into his weird and wonderful world. Spellbinding.” G S Gorkin, Erotic Review

“It’s the character of Wilfredo which is the draw of this show. He babbles and dribbles away disgustingly but is also incredibly funny. Wilfredo is utterly grotesque but lovable at the same time.” Coco Creme, Broadway Baby

“A fine hour of late-night entertainment from comedian Matt Roper who, at his best, shows traces of Steve Coogan in his ability to embody a preposterous alter-ego with complete conviction.” Theo Bosanquet, What’s On Stage

Comedy / Cabaret:

Arthur Smith’s Pissed Up Chat Show, E4 Udderbelly, Southbank Centre
Arthur Smith’s Royal Yacht Aid, E4 Udderbelly, Southbank Centre
Best of the Fest, Speigeltent, Edinburgh Festival
Nicholas Parson’s Happy Hour, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Festival
Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Festival
Just the Tonic
Wam Bam Club, Café de Paris
Madame Jo Jo’s, Soho
Tobacco Factory, Bristol
The Brickhouse, Brick Lane
Hat Fair, Winchester
Komedia Brighton
Pippa Evans Old Time New Time Music Hall, Canal Café Theatre

Festivals:

Glastonbury Festival 2008-2011
Port Eliot Festival 2010-2011
Lushfest 2011-2012
Lockstock Camden 2009-2010
Totnes Festival of Contemporary Art 2009-2010-2012
Maker Sunshine Festival 2009-2011

Radio / Podcast:

E4 Udderbelly Podcalf (Dabster Productions)
The Comedy Club Interviews (Christmas Day Special 2011, BBC Radio 4 Extra)
Live at the Gilded Balloon (Dabster Productions)
What’s So Funny? (Series 1, Ep. 12, BBC Radio 4 Extra)
Voice of Americans with Lewis