For over fourteen years, comedians Cariad Lloyd and Rachel Parris have maintained a friendship that has weathered life's most challenging moments, from trying for children to losing parents, all while building a successful comedy career together.
From Humble Beginnings to West End Success
The duo first met in 2011 through comedian Amy Cooke-Hodgson, who mentioned that Rachel Parris was considering starting a Jane Austen improv group. Cariad nearly didn't attend, sceptical about whether the project was genuine, but her doubts vanished immediately upon witnessing the group's talent.
Their connection was instant, bonded by a shared obsession with the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. They formed what Cariad describes as a "Lizzy and Jane dynamic," with Cariad being the mischievous one and Rachel bringing a touch of class to their comedy choices.
Austentatious, their improvised Jane Austen show, began modestly in a pub room with just twelve audience members. Within weeks, they had to relocate due to overwhelming interest. Their first Edinburgh Festival appearance saw queues stretching around the block, with audiences arriving hours early to secure seats.
The Deep Bonds Forged Through Improv
Living together during Edinburgh runs, the comedians would talk until 2am about their daily experiences. Their years of improvisation have created what Cariad calls a "spidey sense" - an intuitive understanding of each other's emotional states without needing words.
"Improvisation requires being vulnerable and emotional with whoever you are with on the stage," Cariad explains. This intimacy means they can't always be polite, but Rachel never makes her feel she's done something wrong, even when she "corpses" (breaks character by laughing).
Rachel recalls their early "honeymoon period" with fondness, particularly a memorable trip to Lyme Regis where they were "giddy and giggly the whole time." She had assumed she'd met all her lifelong friends, making Cariad an unexpected and precious discovery.
Navigating Life's Challenges Together
Their friendship has provided crucial support during difficult times. Cariad was the first in their group to have a baby, an experience Rachel recognises as potentially isolating. Later, Rachel experienced baby loss during Covid, isolated in hospital, with Cariad providing constant phone support.
"She understands grief so well, and she wants to be there for you," Rachel says of Cariad, who hosts the award-winning podcast Griefcast.
There have been fallouts, as inevitably occurs when maintaining both a friendship and business partnership. "There have been times where I've pissed Cariad off, and Cariad's pissed me off," Rachel admits. "But we are always going to make up."
From charity shop costumes to performing at London's Vaudeville theatre, their journey has been remarkable. More astonishing, Cariad notes, is that after fourteen years, they all still like each other. Unlike most creative ventures that end, she and Rachel consciously "choose to keep choosing each other."
Rachel keeps a photo from their first Austentatious photoshoot at Ham House on her mother's mantelpiece. "Boyfriends have come and gone but Cariad has stayed put," she reflects. When she looks at it, she thinks of the fun they had then - and the fun they still have now.
