Did you always want to become a comedian?
No, I wanted to be a writer and a film director. My journey to performing was basically down to the ineptitude of people in charge of arts funding in the UK and their failure to recognise my obvious brilliance and give me lots of money to make films. Either that or I was just no good and they were quite right to shun me. Take your pick, but I’m going to side with my ego on this one. So I had to find a way of communicating jokes, stories and ideas in a more cost effective way. That is how I ended up performing pieces I had written and it went from there.
When did you first realize you could be funny?
I don’t really know exactly. I have never been one for epiphanies, stuff tends to creep up on me. When I was very young I got into Harry Enfield and Spitting Image. I used to sneak out of bed to watch them. I would then try to remember all the sketches word for word and act them out at school. Which, to the delight of my parents, often landed me in hot water.
Which are the most memorable countries you have visited?
I must confess that I have not left the UK in four years, so I have to say Scotland. My Edinburgh Fringe run last year was pretty memorable. I have been gigging in Devon quite a lot in the last six months. I like Devon the people are very nice and they have a very good sense of humour. That doesn’t count though does it?
I’m sure that the answer to this question is soon to be Malta...
Do you expect the Maltese audience to laugh at the same things that people find funny in the UK?
In terms of my stuff, I don’t know. I will get back to you after the gig.
My parents are Irish and I grew up in England and then went to a boarding school with kids from all over the world and so I was exposed to a good range of humour and tastes growing up. I’d say there are different tastes everywhere you go but generally if something is funny and has a shared context it’ll make people laugh.
What are your best, and worst, memories of your performances so far?
A few years ago I was performing in a sketch show in Edinburgh. About half way through the run we messed up a stage punch and I accidentally landed a fist in the face of a fellow performer... live on stage. That was a bit of a low point. I would like to stress that Luke and I are still very good friends he does, however, no longer perform live comedy. I don’t think it had anything to do with me though.
The best experience I have ever had was last year whilst doing promotion for my solo show. I was out on the street at a festival talking to people about the show and handing out leaflets and a woman pointed at me and proclaimed ‘That is the best show I have seen in my life!’ and walked off. I was absolutely made up. Walking around as if on a cloud for a few hours until I saw my reflection in a mirror and realised she was referring to the ‘Paul Simon live in Hyde Park’ t-shirt I was wearing.
Has anyone ever been offended by one of your jokes?
Nobody has ever told me that they were offended by anything I have said... on stage. Off stage I’m forever getting into trouble. Dinner parties are a much more fine line to tread that stand-up comedy. If you have a microphone people tend to realise that you may be approaching subjects with a certain amount of jest. This is not a luxury afforded to you in day to day life.
Have you worked with any other well-known comedians?
Yes, I have worked with loads of them but they are all total B******** so I wouldn’t even think of giving their careers a boost by affording them some of my column inches here...
The sixth Eden Comedy Club night will be held at Eden Cinemas on Friday 24 May. Parking will be available at the Eden Car Park. This event is sponsored by Heineken and supported by 89.7 Bay and InterContinental Hotel Malta. Call 2371 0100 or visit the Eden Comedy Club Facebook page for more information.