Hughes is back on the circuit

Sep 14 2007

COMEDIAN Sean Hughes has been shut away in television studios in recent years.

But now that he’s back on the live circuit, the Coronation Street star couldn’t be happier — or more excited.

Returning to stand-up this week with a UK tour including a performance at Perth Theatre tomorrow, it’s obvious his first nationwide tour in nearly a decade has got Hughes’ creative juices flowing through his veins again.

“I’ve been away for a while speaking other people’s words, and to my disappointment got passed over for Maria, missed out on Joseph and clearly wasn’t a contender for Britain’s Got Talent,” deadpans the 41-year-old comic.

“Now I’m gagging to be on the loose again and let rip.”

Hughes, who was the youngest ever winner of the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 1990, is an effortlessly funny man — both on and off stage — and one of the most distinctive and darkly explosive stand-up exponents.

His no-holds-barred, quick-fire, wit ensures each performance is an exhilarating, one-off experience for the audience.

Critics have queued up to lavish praise on his live show and he was voted number 40 in Channel 4’s poll of the World’s 100 Greatest Comedians.

The comic, who has also starred in the critically-acclaimed sitcom, Sean’s Show, the film adaptation of Spike Milligan’s Puckoon, and opposite Sienna Miller in the West End production of As You Like It, explains nothing matches the buzz of live comedy.

“Stand-up gives me an enormous thrill,” he enthuses. “I never get nervous - it feels very natural to me.

“I’m not playing a character on stage — I’m just being myself. It’s pointless to get people in to write your stand-up show for you, then it’s just an office job.

“It has to be your voice on stage.

“I love the spontaneity of performing live — when I go on stage, so many different thoughts come bursting out of me that it takes me ten minutes just to say hello.

“I really like the fact that on the night, anything might happen. Every single performance is totally different.”

Also a well-regarded novelist, Hughes makes it clear that local issues will loom large in the new shows.

He will also be treating audiences to a string of amusing anecdotes from his recent, very well-received appearance on Coronation Street.

“I did Corrie for my mum,” Sean smiles. “She’s always adored the show, so when they asked me, I immediately said, ‘Yes, and I don’t care what the lines are like!’

“There was a scene where Eileen was going to get pregnant, but they cut it. I’m very glad they did because every time the baby appeared, my mum would have been saying, ‘That’s my grandchild!’

“When I joined, I was told I would have a love interest, and I replied, ‘Great, at last I’m going to get to snog Tina O’Brien.’

“But then they said, ‘Er, actually, no.’ At moments like that, I have to look in the mirror and remind myself that I’m not that young any more!

“At least I’m the only stand-up on tour this autumn who can truthfully say, ‘I was in the Rovers Return the other day.’

“I’ll also be talking about how hard it is to say some of the lines.

“For example, the other day, I had to say this absurd line, ‘This is a great country, from the Highlands to the White Cliffs of Dover’, and I just couldn’t do it.

“I couldn’t make it real in any way whatsoever!”

Another of hiss inspired stand-up routines concerns his arrested development.

“I’m 41. I thought by now I’d be divorced with weekend access to the kids,” he says.

“I’m so behind. I love TV, but when I find myself watching Deal Or No Deal on my own in the afternoon, I do worry!

“Spiritually, I’m still ten years old. I live on my own, and it’s anarchy.

“I believe in democracy and because I’m in charge, I just can’t deal with all that freedom.

“I need some restraints. I think people get married because they can’t handle that level of freedom.

he bravura performer is just as trenchant on the subject of politics.

“I’m not saying my stand-up will change your life,” he reflects, “but I hope that it might inspire people.

“I want it to work on various levels. You can get a round of applause simply by saying, ‘That George Bush is an idiot, isn’t he?’

“But I don’t go in for all that bombastic vitriol - I aim to be a bit more subtle than that.

Having left BBC Two’s pop quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks after ten series as a team captain he is more than content to be carving his own niche.

“I’m very happy with where I am now,” Hughes claims.

“I’m after the sort of fame where people aren’t quite sure if they know me from the telly or from four doors down.

“I’ve never wanted to be the most famous person in the world, and I’ve never wanted to be famous for being famous. I’d just like to be known for what I’ve done.”

Tickets for Sean Hughes’ show The Right Side of Wrong, which starts at Perth Concert Hall tomorrow at 8pm, available from Horsecross on 0845 612 6332.