PAUL CHOWDHRY

Taking on his third tour, Paul Chowdhry tells Natasha Mckim that coming to see his show is ‘probably better than staying at home’

On the last of his Scottish dates, comedian Paul Chowdhry is landing in Aberdeen. A familiar face for those who watch Live At The Apollo and Stand Up For The Week, his shows have proved popular across the country. Audiences at HMT tomorrow had better get ready for some hilarious honesty.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO PUT TOGETHER THE CONTENT FOR THIS SHOW?

Routines come to me as I live my life. This show took just over a year.

WHAT TOPICS DO YOU TALK ABOUT IN YOUR SHOW AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE ON THOSE TOPICS IN PARTICULAR?

Love, depression, terrorism, racism and family – because everyone can relate to it.

HOW MUCH DOES THE SHOW VARY FROM NIGHT TO NIGHT?

It’s like a fingerprint, there’ll never be the same audience twice, so the improvisation always changes. That’s probably why people return to the same tour show five times or more.

DO YOU GET TO SEE ANYTHING OF THE TOWNS AND CITIES YOU STOP IN ON TOUR?

I get to see the venue car parks, train stations and airports. Glamorous innit ...

DO AUDIENCES HAVE VARYING REACTIONS TO YOUR SHOW IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS?

It varies from country to country, but in the UK, people from the north tend to think they’re funnier than the comic on the stage. They usually are.

DO YOU HAVE A PRE-SHOW RITUAL?

Yes I like to be well rested. That sometimes means sleeping before a show. And I eat a lot before a show. Other comedians never understand this because they have so many pre-show nerves. Forget that, I wanna sleep and eat.

DO YOU GET NERVOUS BEFORE A SHOW?

If I don’t get nervous before a show, I get nervous for not getting nervous.

TELL ME ABOUT THE NAME FOR THE SHOW

– LIVE INNIT?

This being my third major tour, I had to come up with a title that makes it clear what’s going on in the live shows – so it’s live isn’t it (innit) ...

DO YOU GET HECKLED OFTEN? WHAT DO

SAY BACK?

Rarely, as hecklers don’t tend to take on comics who have a reputation of putting down hecklers. But when I do get them, I improvise in the moment, I don’t have pre-written stock put-downs. Keeping the show organic and natural is very important.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT ON YOUR THIRD TOUR HAVING LEARNT FROM YOUR FIRST TWO? Adding much more honesty to my shows is vital. RELAXED: Paul Chowdhry is bringing his unique brand of improvisational comedy to Aberdeen

I have a loyal fanbase, and I’m honoured to have their support. They expect and respect honesty.

BIGGEST LIFE LESSON? Don’t be an idiot.

FELLOW COMEDIAN YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO WORK WITH?

I’ve worked with Lee Evans three times at the O2 Arena for the Channel 4 Gala in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. He’s a great man, and his pre-show nerves ironically calmed me down.

I’d like to work with him again if he comes out of retirement.

EVER MADE A BIG MISTAKE DURING A SHOW? Probably, but they’d never have known, due to my improvisational skills.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE COME AND SEE YOU? It’s probably better than staying at home.

● Paul will be performing his show Live Innit tomorrow, Friday June 15, at HMT in Aberdeen. See www.aberdeenperformingarts.com