BOOKING NOW: MUST SEE EVENT

Andy Parsons’ Bafflingly Optimistic

Leeds City Varieties on October 26. Tickets andyparsons.co.uk

Following a run at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer (his first in 17 years), popular comedian Andy Parsons is back on the road with his brand-new stand-up show Bafflingly Optimistic this autumn.

Parsons began his career writing non-commissioned for Radio 4's Weekending and went on to become one of the main writers for the original Spitting Image on ITV. Having had his own Radio 2 series for six years, he became a regular panellist on Mock The Week and has made numerous TV appearances including on Live At The Apollo, The Comedy Store and QI.

His new touring show features wide-ranging themes. “There are lots of different strands,” he explains. “It's partly about parenting and what kids need to understand about the world… seeing the world a bit through their eyes in terms of prospects going forward, whether it's to do with houses or jobs or being able to work in Europe.”

Inevitably, politics is a subject that he discusses in the show, and in particular our current crop of politicians. “There are a lot of hard working, community minded politicians out there, sadly a lot of them never get into a position where they can make a difference,” says Parsons.

“Maybe having the mindset to be cutthroat enough to get to the very top is part of the problem. They say that we don't get the politicians that we need, we get the ones we deserve. I don't think politicians have got worse, there are a lot of good politicians out there. I would just like to see more of them being able to influence the decisions.”

He is tackling serious issues but approaching them in an upbeat, optimistic way. “It's not a depressing show, you won't want that on your night out. It's full of big laughs,” he says. “I think there are reasons to be hopeful, we are statistically more united as a nation than it might seem.”

In the show he also touches on a concept called The Happiness Curve. “The theory is that in your twenties, you're getting a little bit of money, freedom and happiness, then suddenly kids come and you’re very much stuck. Then gradually, the kids get older, or you get a bit more money, so the idea is that in your early sixties that curve actually goes all the way up again...”