Because comedian Russell Kane, who will be dropping in on Malta as part of his Right Man, Wrong Age tour, has promised they will be needed. Interview by Ramona Depares.
How do you describe your humour?
High-energy observational humour – and plenty of audience interaction too. I could say ‘award-winning’, but it’s not very British to show off.
On a personal level, it’s been an eventful past two years for you – how has marriage and a kid affected/influenced your comedy?
Schedule-wise, not at all! It’s been flat out. But material-wise… wow. A baby is basically a bag of jokes that poos and pukes.
You also pretty much re-invented your look. What was that all about?
Two things. I changed management and they informed me that I had now finished puberty and should dress like an adult. Secondly, my wife politely requested that I stop dressing like a w*****r.
How do you deal with hecklers?
What are they?
What’s the worst you’ve been hackled?
A Great Dane dog ran onto stage and sniffed my crotch.
Can a joke ever be ‘too much’?
Yes. In my opinion, if someone who has paid to see you is hurt by what you’ve said, then it is too much.
Tell us a joke.
When I come to Malta, I’m gonna put all jokes into a spreadsheet. That way I can totally Excel myself.
How do you prepare for a show? Any rituals or superstitions?
Coffee. Pacing. Toilet. Repeat.
What is the biggest challenge in this job?
The travelling. It can be very exhausting. That and all the hot chicks (I’m joking – let me have my pathetic moment, please?).
Where do you find inspiration for your material?
My family! That’s plenty.
You are also a literary author. How do you think of yourself primarily – an author or a comedian?
Comedian. 100 per cent.
Your novel The Humorist is classified as high literature, which tends to get a bit of a snobbish reputation. Is your approach to comedy also intellectual?
No. Funny is funny. A crowd of any background should be crying with laughter.
Favourite comedians?
Ross Noble; Michael McIntyre; Tim Vine; Stewart Lee; and Frankie Boyle.
Will this be your first time in Malta?
It will! I’m buzzing!
What are you expecting?
A lot of rock, and some Brexit-panicked red-faced Brits.
And what can we expect from your show here?
A full throttle assault of your funny bone. Wear protective pants. You may pee yourself.
Russell Kane takes the stage on October 20 at 8.30pm at the Eden Cinemas, St Julian’s. Tickets are available online.
www.edencinemas.com.mt