What happens when an Englishman (Barry Castognola), an Irishman (Andrew Stanley) and a Scotmsman (Mark Nelson) try to topple each other for laughs? Hilarity in the last Punchline Comedy tour that brings top comics from the UK on Asian tours that stops off in Beijing on November 22-23 and Shanghai from November 24-26. First up, we chat with the Englishman.
Congratulations on coming to China. Will this be your first time on the Mainland?
Yes, it’s my first time on the Mainland (have been to Hong Kong once before). I’m mostly looking forward to seeing dragons. I’ve been to the New Year Celebrations in China Town in London and seen the dragons with the people underneath them, but I’m really looking forward to seeing some real ones.
You’ve had such a varied career. How would you describe your stand-up style?
It’s quite conversational and anecdotal. A lot of stories where I’m the butt of the joke. A few gags, a bit of physical stuff and some silliness.
How did you get started doing stand-up and who were some of your comedic inspirations?
I’d always been interested in comedy and wanted to try stand up. I did my first ever gig when I was living in America. I thought, if it goes badly, at least I’m 6000 miles away and no one I know will see it!
The show is being dubbed as “An Englishman, An Irishman and A Scotsman.” As the Englishman of the three, what would you say are some funny trueisms about the Irish and the Scots?
They are all pasty, aggressive alcoholics... Actually, not all of them but the other two comedians are.
You have quiet a history with pranks. What’s the most outrageous situation you’ve been in and have there been any scenarios where things went too far?
I was in a BBC comedy show called Cyderdelic which was a fake documentary where we played anti-capitalist protesters and attended real protests and interacted with other activists and the police. We were arrested and had to go to court for spraying “Tony Blair is a bell end” outside a building in Whitehall. The magistrate threw the case out as we’d used a chalk-based paint which washed off.
Has Brexit affected your stand-up at all and do you find the issue has infiltrated the comedy scene at all?
Not really. It’s a difficult issue to talk about on stage as it’s likely 50 percent of the audience won’t agree with your view.
Besides stand up, what are some of your other projects that you’re working on?
I was involved with a comedians charity boxing event last year (Mark Nelson fought too) and we’re developing the format as a TV show. Also producing a couple of short films
China has a budding stand-up scene, what advice do you have for those starting out?
Do as many gigs as you can and carry a note book with you to note down any funny idea you have. Even if you can’t think how to make it into material initially, that thought might spark a whole routine at some point.
Speaking of those early days, do you remember the first time you bombed? How did you react to it?
Yes, you never forget the first time you bomb. It was my second gig in America. The first one went really well and someone booked me to do half an hour at their bar. When I arrived, it was a karaoke night and they stopped the singing half way through to have some comedy as ‘a surprise’. It was awful and I didn’t do stand up again for a year or two!
Following the China tour, what are your plans?
Going to The Altitude Comedy Festival in Austria for a week in December. Skiing and snowboarding all day and comedy in the evenings. Perfect!
Is there anything you would like to add?
Where’s the best place to see real life dragons?
Beijing: Nov 22,8.30pm, RMB240. The Garage.
Beijing: Nov 23, 8.30pm, RMB240. The Hilton Hotel.
Shanghai: Nov 24, 8.30pm, RMB290. The Exchange, see tickets.
Shanghai: Nov 25, 8pm, RMB290. The Camel, tickets.
Shanghai: Nov 26, 8pm, RMB290. Blossoms, 2/F, Kerry Hotel Pudong, tickets.
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