H A H A H AG l a s g o w C o m e d y F e s t i v a l
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OTO © STEVE ULLATHORNE
‘I don’t think I could act the curmudgeon for too long’
SOLO TRADER
Brian Donaldson speaks to Rory McGrath, a familiar TV face who is fi nally taking the
plunge into touring on his own. One thing’s for sure, you can’t say he hasn’t done the research
R ory McGrath is not only gearing up for his debut solo live tour, he’s marking his 60th birthday on stage at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. In Rory McGrath Remembers . . . (or is it forgets?), the star of shows such as They Think it’s All Over, Chelmsford 123 and Three Men in a Boat is drawing upon a wealth of experience of life and the comedy industry. ‘It’s stand-up with a sort-of memoir theme,’ he states. ‘I’ll use my personal and professional life as a skeleton to hang stuff on. I want it to be like a pair of very unpleasant, uncomfy, cynical slippers that people of a certain age can put on. I grew up through an era of very offensive humour to now where it’s all, “well no, you can’t say that as it’ll offend everybody”. I still haven’t really worked out where I am in all that.’
As part of his research for writing and performing a live solo show, McGrath took in some 80 comedy shows during the last Edinburgh Fringe (including Twins, a double act featuring one Annie McGrath, his actor- comedian daughter) which opened his eyes to several things. ‘Comedy is so much more self- referential now because audiences understand the grammar of comedy. I’ve heard so many
comedians talk about the gag’s construction or the high concept. They’ve educated the audience in the mechanics of stand-up but that’s very un- me. And everyone looks younger. When you get an older bloke coming on and telling us what he hates, I believe him more than I would when a 19-year-old talks about what’s hateable: yes, well, we all hate coffee bars that sell latteccinos or whatever. Hate something else!!’ As McGrath prepares to launch himself upon live audiences, there’s another thing he’s taking time to consider: exactly how people see him and how he sees himself. ‘For some unknown reason which I can’t work out, even though I’m permanently doing grumpy material, people always think I’m jolly and cheery. On paper, the material may be 90 minutes of grumps but I just don’t think I could do it like that. I don’t think I could act the curmudgeon for too long because ultimately I want both myself and the audience to have a laugh.’
Rory McGrath Remembers . . . (or is it forgets?), Òran Mór, Glasgow, Thu 17 Mar.
FAITH HEALER UK-Iranian stand-up and new boss of the British Humanist Association, Shappi Khorsandi tells Kirstyn Smith that she would love a chat show
You can’t accuse Shappi Khorsandi of not having strings to her bow. On the up and up (and up) as a stand-up, over the years she’s also appeared on panel shows, podcasts, written a book (A Beginner’s Guide to Acting English) and even graced the stage as part of Let’s Dance for Sports Relief. Still. ‘A chat show would be nice,’ she says. ‘I said . . . A CHAT SHOW WOULD BE NICE.’ Khorsandi is bringing us a new show, coming off the back of her most recent tour, Because I’m Shappi, which travelled exhaustively across the UK throughout 2014 and 2015. So, what can audiences expect from the new show? ‘I’m getting a puppy so I may smell of dog wee,’ she explains. ‘Other than that, expect more laughter and warmth and neediness. It’ll have loads of new material because going back to a show you’ve toured extensively is like sleeping with an ex: you are left with a slight dull ache afterwards.’
In the world of comedy,
a new year brings with it a new, looming, Edinburgh Fringe, for which Khorsandi Sort of. ‘I’m going up with a show called Oh My Country. I’ve written i ve jokes so far. Hoping to write 107 more before August.’ is ready.
Another development is her recent appointment as President of the British Humanist Association, which she says affects all aspects of her life and career. ‘In a world where the voices of the great faiths are heard and considered in every public issue, the voice of the humanist should be heard too. Morals, principles, ideas and philosophies are not exclusive to believers. Amen.’ ■ Shappi Khorsandi: Live!, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 25 Mar.
28 THE LIST 4 Feb–7 Apr 2016