Looking on the bright side of life
Chris Mccausland. He’s blind. He’s a dad. He’s a husband. He’s third in command. He’ll speak about all of that and more in his stand-up show Speaky Blinder at Komedia. Natalie Banyard finds out more
DOES life ever become overwhelming? Do you bemoan the stresses and strains of parenthood, a busy career, the rat race or everyday existence? Well, imagine having all that, but being blind too. Chris Mccausland doesn’t have to imagine it – that’s his life.
Luckily for us, Chris has also been gifted with a superb sense of humour and an unbeatable wit, which allow him to appreciate the funny side of his life.
Now, Bath audiences will have the opportunity to hear Chris share that funny side with us as he heads to Komedia in February as part of an extended leg of his Speaky Blinder tour.
The Liverpool-born 45-year-old is a classic storyteller, who spins relatable tales of everyday life into comedy gold.
“I talk about loads of stuff,” says Chris, “from my failed attempts to meditate and keep fit, to my wife’s marathon labour, and the difficulties of trying to be a dad when you can’t see what the hell you’re doing!”
In the past, Chris, born with a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which caused his sight to deteriorate steadily throughout his childhood and teenage years, would only make a few references to his blindness at the start of his gigs.
In more recent years, he has felt more relaxed talking about it and Speaky Blinder sees him interweave traditional stand-up with a more personal insight into his experiences of life and fatherhood in the dark.
“I try and offer a bit of insight into what life is actually like without sight,” he explains, “something that I probably wouldn’t have been doing a decade ago. The response from the audience has been really great!”
It’s a frank and funny show in which he talks about his shortcomings as a dad, not being able to take his daughter Sophie, now nine, out on his own or teach her certain things. He has a natural wit and ensures there are plenty of punchlines along the way, like when he talks about the farce of trying to play hide and seek when you can’t see to do either the hiding or the seeking.
The show has become a massive hit. What began as a modest journey around the UK’S arts centres has snowballed to over 130 dates nationwide, as the Liverpudlian’s fame has grown thanks to an ever-increasing number of TV appearances.
Chris has been performing stand-up since 2003, but only recently came to the attention of TV executives – unless you include mid-2000s Cbeebies show Me Too! (think an inner-city Balamory).
Now, he has appeared on Live at the Apollo three times, taking on the hosting duties in 2021. He has also become a sought-after guest on shows including 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Have I Got News For You, QI and the Royal Variety Performance.
Recently, Chris has popped up on celebrity editions of favourites such as Mastermind, The Chase, Antiques Road Trip and Blankety Blank. He has also just recorded yet another appearance for the next series of Would I Lie To You?
“They told me I’ve been in four consecutive series and nobody else apart from Bob Mortimer has done that,” says Chris. “It’s pretty good company to be in!”
And there’s plenty more in the pipeline. Chris has recently been filming a Channel 4 series set to air early 2023, in which he visits famous places with fellow comics. He visits Jordan with Guz Khan, Greece with Harry Hill, Niagara Falls with Liza Tarbuck and Rome with dapper Tom Allen. It is travel with a twist, says the comedian. “They are taking me to these places to prove to me that there’s more going on there than staring at famous sights. We immerse ourselves in the culture and the history. I’m up for getting involved.”
It helps, of course, that he has such entertaining companions. “There’s nothing funnier than
Tom Allen trying to maintain his sartorial elegance in 40 degree heat,” recalls Chris. “And we could have gone to New Brighton [Merseyside] with Liza Tarbuck and it would still be fun. I couldn’t have asked for better people.” But for now, Chris is focused on his Speaky Blinder tour, which is set to run until May 2023.
“My wife is delighted that the tour keeps on getting longer,” admits Chris. “I’m not entirely sure that after having me stuck at home for 18 months during the lockdowns, she’s not on the phone to the promoter saying, ‘Can we add some more dates please and keep him away for longer?’”
I try and offer a bit of insight into what life is actually like without sight, something that I probably wouldn’t have been doing a decade ago Chris Mccausland
Chris Mccausland – Speaky Blinder is at Bath Komedia on February 8. For more information and to book visit chrismccausland.com/tour/