Higher than just high
Brett Hooton
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The name Brand becoming a brand name
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British comedic multitasker Russell Brand finds a greater purpose in comedy
A friend of mine expresses her love of Russell Brand through arts and crafts. She recently created a convincing likeness of the British comic out of felt, complete with five o'clock shadow and frizzed-out black hair. And she's not alone. In fact, new Brand-themed dolls, teddy bears and knitted objects are constantly popping up on the Internet. If Brand appears ubiquitous these days, it's not only because of the growing catalogue of handmade homages. In addition to being a much-discussed stand-up comedian, he's a bestselling author, newspaper columnist, talk show host, actor and musician. Plus, the buzz around Just For Laughs says he's likely to deliver the breakout performance of 2008.
For someone on the verge of international stardom, Brand remains humble about the opportunity to grace the stages of comedy's biggest event. On the phone from London, he muses about watching JFL television specials as a teenager and how "that little green monster logo thing was embedded into my DNA."
However, the road to the festival that fascinated him as a child has been a perilous one. To Londoners, he's already a household name, known as much for his offstage antics as his seemingly limitless talent. He has battled heroin addiction, dated A-list models and been fired from high-profile gigs, all in the public eye.
In hindsight, he credits stand-up as an unexpected source of strength and stability. "I think it's one of the few positive things in my life that has a kind of gravitational pull," he explains.
"All the other things that have that kind of hypnotic sway over me seem to have a derogatory effect."Since Brand kicked the habit in 2003, his comedy has become tighter and more challenging. Festivalgoers will hear his off-kilter take on everything from celebrities to Nietzschean philosophy during his solo show and as part of the Apatow for Destruction lineup.
Although fans will inevitably continue to idolize him - whether through textiles or some other medium - Brand hopes audiences also recognize the "higher purpose" of his comedy.
"There have been times in my life where it's been the only thing that kept me alive. And, despite the frivolous nature of all performance really, I think that sometimes it can help you engage with something sort of holy."
Russell Brand
At Centaur 2 (453 St-François-Xavier), July 17-19
Apatow for Destruction
At Métropolis (59 Ste-Catherine E.), July 18
Apatow for Destruction was the bomb...and not just because I got a whole bunch of DVDs autographed! Russell Brand was slowly building up steam before stardom started knocking so the chance to see him at all these days is a treat. Don't kid yourself, once he becomes super huge we'll be lucky to see him every other 5 years at the JFL. If you missed him, shame on you.
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Pedro Eggers
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