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If you have any comments about the podcast or are a performer who wants advice please do email info@thevarietyshowpodcast.co.uk
Bounder & Cad are a London-based musical comedy duo known for sharp, lyrical satire set to classic crooner, jazz, and operatic styles. Formed at the University of Cambridge, the pair blend close harmony singing with original parody songs that skewer politics, power, culture, and modern absurdities—always punching up. Regular performers at venues including Crazy Coqs, they draw inspiration from Noël Coward, Flanders & Swann, Dudley Moore, and Kit & The Widow, combining musical virtuosity with wit, warmth, and theatrical flair.
In this episode of Variety, host Adam Sternberg welcomes musical comedy duo Bounder & Cad for a wide-ranging conversation following a bold opening performance skewering Vladimir Putin. The pair trace their origins from university choirboys and jazz crooners to becoming a fully-fledged satirical act, sharing stories of May Balls, their first original parody song about Prince Harry, and a last-minute, near-missed debut gig at 10 Downing Street.
They unpack their approach to satire—why they prefer timeless absurdity over partisan politics, how they balance provocation with kindness, and why comedy works best when it releases tension rather than fuels anger. The episode also dives into creative partnership, disagreement, privilege, performance mishaps, and the importance of humor as a coping mechanism. It wraps with a playful operatic finale: a comic English-language take on La donna è mobile, featuring Adam joining them on stage.
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🎵 Original title music written by Peter O'Donnell and produced by Chris Burgess.
Join Adam Sternberg next time for another captivating glimpse into the world of live entertainment.
The Variety Show is a celebration of the extraordinary people who bring live performance to life. Each week, host Adam Sternberg sits down with a dazzling range of guests – from magicians to contortionists, gospel singers to tap dancers to uncover the real stories behind their craft. How do artists decide to dedicate their lives to performing? What inspires them, challenges them, and keeps them coming back to the stage? Through intimate conversations, Variety gives listeners a behind-the-curtain look at the journeys, passions, and influences that shape today’s performers. Whether you’re a fan of live entertainment, a lover of the arts, or simply curious about the paths less traveled, this podcast offers a fresh perspective on the world of performance.
If you have any comments about the podcast or are a performer who wants advice please do email info@thevarietyshowpodcast.co.uk