Ego’s ‘first love’ a stand-up tour
Television star and comedian Paul Ego is returning to his first love with a stand-up tour of Canterbury, starting in Lyttelton on Thursday.
Ego, well known for his former role as team captain in the popular comedy panel show 7 Days, said he loved stand-up more than his work on television and radio because it allowed him to connect directly with an audience.
``The connection with the audience is the best part of stand-up. That is why it is my first love,’’ he said.
``The results are instant. With stand-up, you get up there, tell a joke and people laugh. ``It feels like a more shared experience.’’ Ego will perform with fellow stand-up comedian Paul Douglas at the Loons in Lyttelton on Thursday, Papa Hou in Christchurch on Friday, Rangiora Town Hall on Saturday, and The Grand Hotel in Akaroa on Sunday.
Ego came late to stand-up comedy. He was 28 and working as a signwriter in London in the 1990s when he first took to the stage. After persistent encouragement from his sister, Ego wrote five minutes of comedy and booked a slot at an open mic night in London.
``I was not so much a fresh Colby slice of cheese as an aged Stilton.’’
Decades later, Ego is still learning about the craft.
``It is a constant learning experience for me. ``I don’t think there is any particular moment when you think you have nailed it.’’
Ego is currently on New Zealand television screens as one of the contestants in the Kiwi version of Taskmaster. The show involves a panel of performers completing challenges to please the taskmaster, Jeremy Wells, and his assistant Paul Williams.
He said it was an ``amazing’’ experience to compete on the show.
``Not being the captain on 7 Days has freed me up to be able to do shows like Taskmaster. I couldn’t have done it a couple of years ago. To be able to do these other shows is amazing.
``It is such an emotional learning experience. I learnt that I am no good at the things I thought were my real strengths.’’
He said his children were enjoying watching the show with him and noticed he did not read the instructions properly before launching into a task. ``They said: `We’ve been telling you for years that
you don’t listen’.’’