Punchline Comedy brings back the always rib-tickling talents of Whose Line Is It Anyway? to Shenzhen on May 23 (buy tickets here, and for just RMB190 before May 9) and Shanghai on May 25 and 26 (buy tickets here). Expect plenty of improv hijinks as the UK’s Andy Smart, Stephen Frost and Niall Ashdown, and Irishman Ian Coppinger build the show based on audience suggestions. We chat with Frost about returning to China, his roots in the UK alternative comedy scene and leading the firing squad against Mr. Bean's Rowan Atkinson.
You have mentioned at a show in Amsterdam someone shouted the suggestion of existentialism. Has anyone since topped that in terms of odd requests?
In Tallinn, Estonia when we asked for an unusual household object someone shouted out "A decommissioned naval icebreaker." Classic!
You've had such a storied comedy career. What made you first want to get into comedy?
I started very early. When I was born my mum said to the doctor, "Stop joking, where's the baby?"
Who were some of your early heroes?
Phil Silvers (Sergeant Bilko) and the Marx Brothers.
You were part of the first wave of UK alternative comedy. From what I understand, mainstream comedy from that time hasn't exactly aged well. Could you explain the divide between the two?
Like most movements (music, art, etc.) they become tired and outdated after a while. Mainstream comedy at that time just seemed totally old-fashioned and offensive, and not relevant to us young 'uns. A bit like punk, we wanted to rip it up a bit, tear up the old rule book and write our own manifesto. But with laughs.
What were the actual relationships like between comedians from these two opposing camps?
Our paths didn't cross much, but when they did, they were a bit scared of us. But both sets of performers realized we were trying to do the same job. Make people laugh.
Do you remember your first episode of Whose Line Is It Anyway?
I was quite an experienced performer before that first show, so it wasn't really that nerve-racking. Live shows, like the ones we do in China, are much more exciting to do.
You also had a couple of small roles in Blackadder, which is such a classic series. Was that something you pursued?
Small roles, how dare you! It was pivotal to the whole series. Sorry, I'm a bit of a gabbler, me.
How fun was it to act as the head of the firing squad ready to shoot Rowan Atkinson, of Mr. Bean fame?
Loved it. It was semi improvised actually .
Do you have a message for China?
I love your beer, I love your food, but can you please make a pair of jeans to fit me? I'm two meters tall!
Shenzhen
May 23, 8pm, Hard Rock Cafe. RMB190 early bird price before May 9, RMB220 after, buy tickets here.
Shanghai
May 25, 8pm, Cages Bar and Sports. RMB290, buy tickets here.
May 26, 8pm, Blossoms, Kerry Hotel Pudong, RMB290, buy tickets here.
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