After the raucous Whose Line is it Anyway? left audiences doubled over in laughter in May, the Punchline Comedy team are back with this show featuring the hilarious trio of Tim Clark of Whose Line infamy, street magician turned comic John Lenehan (see our chat with the controversial illusionist here) and rising music comedian Jonny Awsum. Best known in Austria as the face of Puntigamer beer, the fresh-faced Awsum has become an Edinburgh Fringe Festival favorite and a comic to watch.
You spent eight years as a barman at The Chuckle Club. A lot of great comedians like Marc Maron and Sam Kinisen also went from working at the club to working the club. What did that experience teach you and did you originally want to become a comedian when you started that gig?
It was like going to university to learn comedy! I was in a band at the time and working on the bar at the weekends, every week I'd see these amazing acts like Lee Mack and Rhod Gilbert and I guess I was just sponging it all up. Then one day a musical comedian came and that was a light bulb moment for me.
Who inspired you to be a comedian and when did you start to incorporate music into your act?
I guess everyone who smashed it at The Chuckle Club inspired me to see if I could go out and generate the same reaction. When a gig is rocking it is an unbeatable feeling, like riding a huge wave of affection and laughter. I had music in my act from the start, although it's probably true to say that my earliest songs had more music and less comedy!
Your comedy name’s pretty simple and great but there are so many variations on how you can spell it. How’d you come up with it and has it aged well?
It was a nickname I was given when I used to be in a rock band, it stuck and I just kept it going when I started the comedy. It works well as it's unique on Google - and I own jonnyawsum.com !
Your songs are a mix of parodies and originals. What would you say is the ratio and what’s easier for you to write? Has anyone in the audience ever reacted negatively to your parodies? Any incensed Take That fans?
It depends on the gig - I'm halfway through my run at the Edinburgh Fringe and my show is mostly original material with just a couple of parody numbers. But if I'm in a club I might do a few more as club audiences love a parody. The key thing is that if you're going to do a parody you have to find a really strong core idea that goes beyond just changing the words to make the song sound rude.
You sold out Edinburgh Fringe with Jonny Awsum’s To Do List? Did you anticipate that success and how would you describe your most recent show, Sexy Noises? In your opinion, what is the sexiest noise?
I had a great Edinburgh last year but this year has been even better as I am properly on the radar and have had a stack of 4 and 5 star reviews. As for the sexiest noise, I promise that anyone who comes to the show will get to hear it!
You’ve played across the world. How would you compare performing in the UK versus performing in a new country? Will this be your first time performing in China and if so, will you cater any of your jokes to the country?
It will be my first time playing in China but my material tends to work across countries as it has a kind of universal appeal. Every show is different as the audience come on board with me and create a unique experience. So I'm really looking forward to performing Sexy Noises Shanghai style.
You’ve also presented for Sky Sports. What’s your favorite sport and team, and do you prefer making cracks about your favorite team or your most hated team?
I like a bit of boxing as it's very theatrical with the music pumping and the big entrances to the ring. When I was on Sky Sports I played a twisted ringmaster character that introduced the fighters - it was a riot.
How did you become the face of Puntigamer beer in Austria and how would you rank it among your favorite beers? Are you contractually obligated to drink Puntigamer?
I have an agent for commercials and go up for parts that need an expressive face. I've actually done 15 TV ads now but Puntigamer has a special place in my heart as they were the very first people to cast me. It is a truly world-class brew, it's delicious and everyone should try it today and then write to Puntigamer and tell them Jonny Awsum recommended it.
There’s a lot of crowd participation in your shows. Was it hard to develop that confidence to interact with the crowd and how do you convince an audience member to get over their reluctance?
I think once people see me and can tell I'm not nasty or trying to get laughs by humiliating people they come on board. I won't do anything if I think the person I'm involving might not like it, however big the laugh I could get from the room. I did have a song that went down very well but I dropped it as I felt I was on the edge of making the person involved feel uncomfortable. One reviewer in Edinburgh wrote "he makes the people he involves feel like champions" which I loved as it was a perfect articulation of what I'm trying to do.
At some of your shows, members of the crowd have been invited to air guitar, play wooden block or the triangle. Out of the three, which is the most badass?
Totally, the triangle is probably the most badass, as it features in my rap number.
The organizer of this show has said there’s a really good chance that you will blow up (metaphorically) in the near future. What do you think of the praise and what have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your comedy career?
Lovely to hear that, I've learned a lot from my rock star friend Frank Turner who has blown up (metaphorically). Frank has headlined Wembley and yet hasn't changed a bit. He's proof that you don't need to become an idiot if you make it.
You have a CD out called The Bootlegs #1. Could you describe what’s on it and are you hoping to release more albums in the future? Do you approach making an album different from preparing your set?
It's a live CD taken from shows around the UK, I am putting together a second one The Bootlegs #2 that will be out later in the year. It's selling well as people who've seen me like to play it to their mates rather than trying to describe my set which is pretty impossible to do.
What’s been some embarrassing moments from your standup past that you can now laugh about?
When I first started I thought I needed 'a look'. And as I was watching a lot of The Sopranos I used to wear a full tracksuit on stage. I looked ridiculous and so it didn't last long - my Dad was the first to tell me to lose it.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Come see the show!
// Shows in both Puxi and Pudong. Sep 26, 8pm-late, RMB290, The Hacienda, tickets. Sep 27, 8pm-late, RMB290. Kerry Hotel, tickets.
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We have a pair of tickets to Puncline to give away. Simply e-mail win@urbanatomy.com with the subject 'Punchline' by September 20 for a chance to win.
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