» Vicky talks to Tim Minchin
Victoria Nangle has a chinwag with hot ticket of the festival and pin-up for the comedy girlies – Tim Minchin
Tim Minchin – award-winning comic, classical musician, big-word-user, swear-word lover and relocated Australian comic is on the line.
In describing his place in musical comedy he puts it simply: “I fell into comedy because I happen to be a songwriter that finds the humour or satire in lyrics.” In outlining his style he comments: “If you put me at a keyboard doing my songs that’s a totally different game from me sitting at a ten foot concert piano playing my songs.”
“It reflects well on society when ladies value a man’s brain over brawn in selecting their idols”
He elaborates: “increasingly what you’re doing is tipping your hat to a particular style and the juxtaposition is between style and content”. He’s a clever fella. So why do I ask him how he feels about his ever increasing popularity with student girls? He seems a bit stunned.
“Something about young women. Look, I can’t explain to you how ridiculous that is to me. I just can’t.” He’s really stunned. “It’s just ridiculous.” However.
“But that’s great.” Bless him. “You look at someone like Russell and you get it. He’s a beautiful man.” I ask which Russell. “Russell Brand. All the Russells are cute, aren’t they? Russell Howard’s very cute. Russell Kane? Yeah, he’s cute.”But back on topic. “Having girlies like me – weird eh?” He gives it some thought. He’s a thoughtful man.
“I’m really proud that I have quite a strong student fanbase and again, usually young women. But generally interesting young women. Even just being a fan of comedy is a bit different.” He’s coming around. “I don’t know, there’s something cool about that rather than – it probably sounds a bit conceited – but rather than being a fan of a movie star. I like the idea of them being a fan of some average-looking guy playing songs about God.” We agree that it reflects well upon society when young ladies value a man’s brain over his brawn in selecting their idols.
Tim Minchin has a lot to say about a lot of things and I’m running out of room. Finally, how would he describe his show? He thinks – surprise, surprise. “It’s kind of big concepts in stupid little songs.” And you know those concepts will be well thought out and very, very funny.
Tim Minchin , Corn Exchange, Brighton, Sunday 12 October. Tickets £15/12.
