Praised as “the embodiment of charisma,” Stephen K. Amos has conquered the English stand-up world and regularly tours around the world. Also a gifted actor and documentarian, the award-winning standup chatted with us before his Punchline Comedy organized China tour that takes him to Beijing on Sep 6-7 and Shanghai from Sep 8-10.
Congratulations on coming to China. What are you hoping to see and do while you're here?
I'm very much excited to be coming to the Mainland to experience some of the Chinese culture and welcoming hospitality that I've heard so much about. I will come armed with my camera to take everlasting memories of what will be a whistlestop visit and I will be indulging myself with the finest cuisine and hopefully mastering the art of the chopstick - although being particularly clumsy with fat fingers, there is no guarantee of this.
You’ve been praised for your charisma and have packed clubs around the world. How would you describe your comedy style and what drove you to get into stand-up?
I would describe my style as semi-autobiographical and observational; basically I've had my eyes open since I was born and so I'm always on the lookout to find the funny. A chance meeting in New York with a comedy club promoter led me on this journey. I was just being me; and she said I was funny then offered me a gig in London. The first time I got up on stage was the first time I had ever been to a comedy club!
Who were some of your comedy influences?
Because I came into it so suddenly I didn't really have any comedy heroes so therefore I wasn't influenced by anybody. I think that was a good thing, because it meant I had to find my own voice. There are many great comedians, some no longer with us that I greatly admire now though, like Richard Pryor, Chris Rock and Eddie Izzard.
You're also an actor and a documentarian. Were you always working on those skills while doing comedy or did they come out of your comedy career?
There is undoubtedly a link between these different genres, though they do require different skills. When making a documentary I like to be genuinely interested in the subject matter, or indeed have something to say about it. With comedy the main goal is achieving laughs, however if you can make people think along the way then I think you're doing your job. To have a captive audience where you can say whatever you like is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. We all have a story to tell and being the "court jester," I like to take a sideways look at most things.
London has a notable stand-up scene. What were the keys for you to gaining such a strong reputation and how has the city’s stand-up changed from when you first started out to today?
The UK comedy scene is vibrant, full and there are so many excellent comics getting up on stage night after night. There are many more comedy clubs now compared to when I started and looking back I was one of a few black voices on the scene. London is such a melting pot of cultures and diversity, not just within the audiences but also among the comics. Back in the day, audiences generally were 90 percent male and of a certain demographic, that has changed. My style has undoubtedly changed over the years as well; gone are the "jazz hands" and days of wanting the audience to "like me! like me!" - now I'm tackling issues that matter to me.
You've done documentaries about Penis Envy and about homophobia in the UK black community. Which of these got the bigger reactions and are you working on any projects in that vein?
Did you mean to say "in that vein" when mentioning Penis Envy? It's difficult to gauge reaction because once it's out there it's out there - yes, we're talking about the penis again. The documentary on homophobia is now being used as an educational tool in schools. I'm currently working on a project for Australian television and a new series on BBC Radio 4.
You've played Jimi Hendrix and have appeared in East Enders. What's been your favorite acting role and is difficult to transition from doing stand-up to doing an acting gig?
Obviously with acting you're doing somebody else's words and working with other people including directors. It's a very different environment than the solitary existence of the stand-up: one man, one mic, where I'm my own editor and self censor. I've had quite a few roles that have come because of the stand-up, but also other roles completely unrelated. I like the challenge of doing something dramatic or even action based, so I'll put it out there - the next James Bond?
Has Brexit affected your comedy at all?
On the day of the vote there was a genuinely strange mood in the audience, one of mistrust for each other because the vote was oh so close. It has literally divided the country and we now have a prime minister we didn't even vote for. Imagine that? It really is a hot topic and people have fallen out with friends and family over this. I tour extensively in Europe but it's a bit early to predict what the actual ramifications will be - will we need to get new passports? Will it become compulsory to learn other languages? Can I still say I'm European?
China has a number of budding comedy scenes across the country. Do you have any advice for people starting out?
My advice would be to write five minutes, practice it, make it funny and make it original. If you've got something to say or an interesting way of looking at things share it with an audience, and remember people do not go to comedy clubs because they want you to fail!
Following your China shows, what are your plans?
I get back to London for a week and then I head off for a six week tour of Europe and then I start my UK tour until March 2017, and then I'm making my footsteps into America.
Is there anything you would like to add?
If you've never seen me live, what are you waiting for? Buy a ticket. Also I have a book out called I Used To Say My Mother Was Shirley Bassey - bloody hilarious! Buy that too!
Beijing: Sep 6, 8.30pm, RMB240. The Garage, see event listing.
Beijing: Sep 7, 8.30pm, RMB240. Nearby the Tree, see event listing.
Shanghai: Sep 8, 8.30pm, RMB290. The Camel Bar (Puxi), see event listing.
Shanghai: Sep 9, 8pm, RMB290. The Exchange, see event listing.
Shanghai:Sep 10, 8.30pm, RMB290. Kerry Hotel Pudong, see event listing.
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