Epsom gives Nichol hero's welcome

4:51pm Wednesday 6th February 2008

Phil Nichol, a whirligig of energy and bombast, a former if.comedy award - the Oscar of comedy accolades - and a self-confessed "Tasmanian devil with a guitar", is coming to Epsom Playhouse. That's yet another of the biggest names in comedy, following on from Michael McIntyre, to come to Epsom this month.

In previous shows have been some of the most universally-acclaimed shows on the circuit, and his deranged, borderline psychotic onstage persona means no one forgets a Phil Nichol show. He is a more serious fellow than you would imagine though, and has even done some high-profile straight acting such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Gielgud Theatre.

His shows are going increasingly in the direction of story-telling, and his latest, Hero Worship, tells the tale of when he met a Japanese man who was obsessed with the Rolling Stones. An infatuation which left him outstaying his welcome and nearly destroying a relationship.

Ever the keen musician, it is likely that Nichol will play with his band as his own support.

PF: Which comics are you currently enjoying?

PN: I run a new material night called Old Rope at the Phoenix, off Oxford Street and one of my favourites is Matt Kirschen. Phil Kaye is probably my biggest influence, with the storytelling and improvisation. He can go whole shows just improvising, it's unpredictable and it won't be good every time but it can be incredible.

PF: WHich dead comic would you bring back to life?

PN: That's tough, I wouln't being Bill Hicks back to life, because he might not live up to the myth that's been created around him.

PF: What is your favourite comedy venue?

PN: This is only my second national tour so I am just getting to know the little venues, but the best overall is the Comedy Store in Piccadilly. The audiences that go there are savvy, it's not all hen nights. Doing Hammersmith Apollo was a real thrill. It was with Mark Thomas when we tried to take the serious fraud office to court.

PF: Do you feel any Scottishness manifesting itself in you?

PN: I am quite frugal with my money! I suppose I like a dram of whisky and I fight for what I believe in.

PF: WHich celebrity do you look like?

PN: I've been told I look like Robert Downey Jnr, only a fat one.

PF: What is your secret talent?

PN: I am a very good listener. I'm one of those people who people think is a bit mad because of my act, but I think I make a good counsellor.

PF: "If.comedy" is a rubbish name, what should it be called instead?

PN: I'm quite happy with it as there is a lot of sensitivity about former sponsor Perrier, there was a lot of politics and worry about Nestlé's participation with them.

PF: Whose sex face would you least like to see?

PN: Oh God, my dad's? Do I get to see it, is that why you're asking? Because in that case it's Kirsten Dunst!

Phil Nichol; Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Avenue, Epsom, KT18 5AL; Saturday, Feburary 16, 8pm, £13/£11, call 01372 742555 / 742227 or visit epsomplayhouse.co.uk for booking and details.

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