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Alex Horne, star of BBC4’s We Need Answer, author, stand-up and music maestro, chats with Victoria Nangle

VN: Hello Alex. You’ve got two shows on at the Brighton Comedy Festival. What’s that all about?
AH: Yes, sorry about that. My fault entirely. It’s just that I really like Brighton and there’s too much to do on one trip so I was forced to create two shows to get two slots so I could make two visits. Apologies again.

VN: You’re a bit of a Renaissance Man with your music, your comedy, and your books. What’s next?
AH: You say that, but I’ve got two young children so my life mainly revolves around poo at the moment. I’m really trying hard not to do a show about babies but it is starting to look inevitable. Either that or a reality show starring only me and set in a dump.

VN: Is there going to be another series of We Need Answers?
AH: I wish there was, Tim [Key] and Mark [Watson] both wish there was, and
in a recent survey, 30 million Britons wish there was – but no, I don’t think there will be. Not on BBC4 anyway. Sorry Britons.

VN: You went to school in Lancing. Does this mean you have fond memories of teenage years skiving off and heading into our beloved Brighton?
AH: Exactly. Yes. I spent most Saturday afternoons not liking the taste of lager in The Font And Firkin in the Lanes. We then had to sneak back in past the deputy-head at Shoreham Station. Wish it was still like that really. Slightly less poo.

VN: Do you have any grooming tips for others wishing to emulate your fabulous beard?
AH: Focus, focus, focus, location, location, location, plant, prune, plough.

VN: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
AH: Never eat anything that’s bigger than your head.

VN: Who makes you laugh so much you become concerned about your dignity?
AH: Penguins, people talking to themselves, and Tim Key.

VN: Why should everyone come and see your shows?
AH: They are compulsory.

Alex Horne – Seven Years In The Bathroom, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, 12 October, 7.45pm, £12; The Horne Section, The Old Market, 20 October, 9.30pm, £15/13.50, www.brightoncomedyfestival.co.uk

Tommy Tiernan was the third headliner at Laughs in the Park, alongside Eddie Izzard and Ross Noble. Massive in Ireland, he’s now getting the recognition he deserves in the UK. Victoria Nangle talks to the man

VN: How are you today?
TT: Very well thanks you. Just working on this new show, err, Poot, so I’m just in the middle of that at the moment trying to put it all together.

VN: What does ‘Poot’ (the title of Tommy’s show) mean?
TT: What does Poot mean? Erm…Poot is the name of a Hindu god, with, err, five eyes on the end each of his fingers, erm, he has no eyes on his face…

VN: Oh right.
TT: ….Yeah and only eyes on his fingers. So every time someone asks me what Poot means I come up with a different answer.

VN: [laughs] It makes me think of Mr Toad from The Wind In The Willows.
TT: Oh, does he say poot?

VN: Yeah, he says “poot, poot”.
TT: Oh yes, that’s right, yes, it’s er, Poot is like a big book into which we can throw anything. Read the rest of this article »

Margaret Cho has been causing a sensation since she was first spotted by Bob Hope. A gay rights activist, actress, writer, performer… and fan of Waitrose. She spills all to Victoria Nangle

Victoria Nangle: Hi Margaret, how are you doing today?
Margaret Cho: I’m good thanks. I’m eating…

VN: Do you want us to call back in ten minutes?
MC: No, no it’s fine. I should have been quieter, but I just discovered Waitrose today so I’m really excited. [laughs]

VN: Did you find the deli counter?
MC: Yeah. They sell the weirdest s*** like these boxes of mangos and pineapple and coconut… which is really good, so I’m just eating it. It’s a really amazing store. Read the rest of this article »

The new show from Chris Cox – of Radio 1, Dick & Dom and more – combines mind reading with magic, comedy and a story. He tells all to Victoria Nangle

You seem to mix magic with illusions, with comedy, with plenty of other things. What does it say your occupation is on your passport?
It says entertainer. I entertain, that’s the key thing that I set out to do, be it through magic, through mind-reading, through influence, through comedy or through theatre the whole point is that people leave having been entertained. Quite a simple goal, really.
Read the rest of this article »