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. We chat with the Scotsman about winning numerous awards, Brexit and "the hell on earth that is Christmas gigs."
Congratulations on coming to China. Will this be your first time on the Mainland?
Yeah this is my first ever visit to China. I am really really excited about coming over. Hopefully gonna do all the usual tourist stuff, Great Wall etc. But I am just fascinated to walk around the place and take it all in.
You’ve had such a distinguished career. How would you describe your stand-up style?
I am a very relaxed performer, very dry, sardonic. I am very much substance over style, I really on the strength of the jokes because that’s what I think proper stand up should be, just someone with a mic making people laugh.
How did you get started doing stand-up and who were some of your comedic inspirations?
I started in 2006 purely because I loved watching stand up. I moved to Glasgow and discovered this live scene and took it from there. I won Scottish Comedian of the Year within the first 6 months and things just took off.
As for inspiration, coming from Scotland it is impossible not to mention Billy Connolly as a huge inspiration. The man basically invented modern stand up. I was always more of a fan of American comedy rather than British though. Eddie Murphy’s Raw show is the first time I can remember being unable to breathe I was laughing so much.
The show is being dubbed as “An Englishman, An Irishman and A Scotsman.” As the Scotsman of the three, what would you say are some funny trueisms about the Irish and the English?
It’ll be an interested tour because the Irish and the Scots have something in common with their natural dislike of the English. It is all completely tongue in cheek though. To be honest I don’t think any of us on the tour are particularly stereotypical of our nationalities. I’m delighted to be going with Andrew and Barry, because they are two of the people I like most in comedy. I reckon we all probably think we are the best drinkers as well so that should be an interesting competition.
You’ve won numerous Scottish Comedy Awards. Where do you keep them?
To be honest my kids end up playing with them quite a lot of the time so I often find them shoved inside a sock or in the bath.
How have your acceptance speeches evolved over the years?
I am always quite embarrassed about winning awards so my acceptance speeches tend to be fairly humble and short. Unless I’m drunk in which case I end up going on for ages.
Has Brexit affected your stand-up at all and do you find the issue has infiltrated the comedy scene at all?
It has definitely infiltrated the scene. Living in Scotland, the majority of people are on the same side so there isn’t the division. However when I go down to England, where I work most of the time you really notice a tension whenever you bring the subject up. I think stand up is the perfect platform for discussing something as important as that.
Besides stand up, what are some of your other projects that you’re working on?
I have just finished a second series of short videos where my 3 year old daughter and I discuss current events for the BBC so I’ll be starting series 3 of that soon. I also have my own 10 minute special coming up for the BBC. I'm also going to be starting a film podcast soon as well as starting writing my own film.
China has a budding stand-up scene, what advice do you have for those starting out?
Take your time. Everyone progresses at a different pace in this industry, so don’t expect too much too soon. Always do what you think is funny. Never second guess or pre-judge an audience. Enjoy it, it might not seem it at times but it is a much better job than you could be doing.
Speaking of those early days, do you remember the first time you bombed? How did you react to it?
Bombing, or dying on your arse as we call it, is honestly one of the most horrific things you can ever experience. For me it tends to almost be an out of body experience, you know what is happening but you almost leave yourself to watch the car crash, knowing there is very little you can do about it. It happens to everyone though and it’s good for you, keeps you grounded.
Following the China tour, what are your plans?
I am going on holiday for a week with the family the day I get back so that’ll be good. Then it is straight into the hell on Earth that is Christmas gigs.
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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