Rich talks Trump and Americana
FANS are apparently turning up to Rich Hall’s Hoedown dressed in full cowboy hat and boot ensemble. On Saturday, June 9, he will be at Middleton Arena and tickets are selling fast.
Rich has already enjoyed a successful career, starring in shows such as QI, Have I Got News For You, Live at the Apollo and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, as well as producing acclaimed documentaries. His newest documentary is due for release soon.
Rich affirms that stand-up remains his first love, saying: “I just love the live experience. On stage, you get much longer than you do on TV to do a completely thorough performance piece.
“A panel show is a commodity and people have forgotten it half an hour later. If you have gone out of your way to go to a live show and spent two and a half hours in the theatre, chances are you’ll be talking about it on the way home.’
Rich combines his intelligence and wit with an endearing modesty.
When I asked how his tour is going, he said: “The response has been astounding. I’m enjoying doing this show so much. The reaction has been very rousing.
“People come up to me afterwards and say, ‘I’d seen you on television, but I didn’t realise you were this funny’. That’s the most satisfying response.
“At the risk of turning into the Willie Nelson of comedy, I don’t want to stop doing this show.”
The first half of the show is an examination of President Trump and Rich said: “I love the fact that Trump is President. It’s great for comedy, even though it’s dreadful for the rest of the world and humankind.
“I need to be fleet of foot when tackling the subject of Trump. My material keeps changing because the guy changes every day on a whim. No Trump joke has any shelf life at all. It’s good for three hours – then it’s out the window.”
The second half is a tribute to Americana.
With his band, Rich performs songs, many of which he improvises, using material he has gleaned from the audience in the first half. ‘The people in the front row realise that they will be targets, but they will also be serenaded.
Rich said: “I like to find a couple who have been married for a long time and write a song about how they first met.”
For tickets to the June 9 gig, visit link4life.org/ booktickets/events/ RichHallMAJune18/ details.