Legendary 1980s comedian to perform again for new documentary

The Iceman – a legendary figure from the early days of alternative comedy – is to recreate his notoriously bizarre act once more.

Anthony Irvine was one of the most talked-about acts of the 1980s for his performances, which involved fruitlessly trying to melt a large block of ice while cracking puns.

Attempts might include trying to breathe on it or using  salt or a blowtorch, and for his next attempt – at the Bill Murray in Islington, North London, later this month, he will spend 30 minutes trying to achieve his task using a smaller block of ice.

In recent years, Irvine, now 71, has been an artist using the name ‘aim’.

Last year, comedy historian Robert Wringham used a long interview interview with Irvine as the basis of a book entitled  Melt It! The Book of the Iceman.

It is now being turned into a documentary, which will include footage of the new attempt as well as contributions from Stewart Lee, Phill Jupitus, Richard Herring, Ronni Ancona and Robin Ince.

The film is being directed by Mark Cartwright and produced by Michael Cumming, director of Brass Eye and Toast of London.

Shrek star Mike Myers has cited the Iceman as one of his all-time comedy favourites; Bill Bailey describes him as ‘a legend’ and Jo Brand describes him as ‘a true performance artist’.

He played Malcolm Hardee’s Tunnel Palladium, Simon Munnery’s Cluub Zarathustra, and Ivor Dembina’s Red Rose Club as well as being a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The documentary will be released by Cardiff-based indie label Go Faster Stripe – which also published the book. The new footage being recorded on September 22 as part of a day of tapings of stand-up specials for future release. Also being recorded are  Seymour Mace (from 2pm), Sian Docksay (7pm) and   Bilal Zafar (9pm)

Tickets to the four shows are available from the Bill Murray website.

Published: 3 Sep 2024