What a laugh: Phil Kay

Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, January 5; Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, January 6; Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, January 7

Scots funnyman Phil Kay isn’t one for sticking to a script.

The garrulous stand-up is best known for his outlandish monologues and offthe-cuff style – and even after almost three decades of hilarious on-stage tirades he’s still got plenty to rant about.

There’s always an unpredictable element to Phil Kay live and his run of Fife shows – which started in Lochgelly last night – are likely to be no exception.

“Current affairs, massive topics of the day, the people in the room – that’s what I talk about and I really get going,” says Phil.

“I’ve also got lots of stories about things that’ve happened to me. One of them’s called Bitten By A Wild Dog In Bangkok. Another’s about how I actually managed to avoid getting beaten up three times in my own village – that was a long time ago.

“Sometimes you only give your opinions when you’re forced to voice them, and that’s actually quite good fun. Most comedians avoid talking about important stuff so I tend to try and get straight in there.

“I’m going for it and asking questions like, ‘What is it about Kevin Spacey?’ Every part he played he was a manipulative, evil, asexual overlord, from that cartoon where he plays a grasshopper to Swimming With Sharks. Who knew?!”

Phil’s spontaneous approach means he occasionally gets stuck for words, even as the concepts are coming thick and fast. “You can get caught between riffing and ideas you’ve already had so you try to hold your notebook in your mind,” he explains.

“You can be as relaxed as you want, and when it’s on, it’s on. I love it. It is kind of like a licence to be rather interesting.”

Originally from Kinross, Phil, 48, lives near England’s south coast, where he gets around by bicycle.

His near neighbours include Hollywood A-lister Cate Blanchett, whose children attend the same school as his own.

However no-one should expect too many anecdotes about village life. “I cycle out of necessity and choice,” says Phil.

“I’ve got friends who’ve got a wee co-operative farm and if they’re not around I cycle up to feed their pigs. I tend to be a temporal moments kind of guy so I hardly ever go on about that kind of stuff.

“I do have quite an interesting life but I’ve got books out where you can get all the daily diary about the pigs if you want.”

Phil – who claims he’s about to quit comedy and become a musician – wants fans to come armed with unwanted denims this weekend for zany mid-set fashion shows.

“It’s just something to do in the interval and it’s a nice way to get some new clothes,” he says. “I’m after laughter, I’m not really into comedy.”

www.onfife.com

Phil claims he’s not into comedy, he just wants to make people laugh.