Interview: Simon Day
One of the stars of The Fast Show, more recently capturing the imagination as prog rock spoof legend Brian Pern on BBC4, Simon Day has been in the middle of some of the best of British comedy for over 25 years. He talks to Victoria Nangle about his new show and more
Hi Simon, how are you today?
I am very well today thank you.
I loved Brian Pern ‘lost’ in the jungle. There’s been much speculation as to who inspired the character of Brian. Who do you think of channelling when you step up to the musical legend’s microphone?
Well first I remember I am doing a comedy character and not being serious, so really ¬ I don’t channel any singers.
Rhys Thomas co-created Brian. Do you enjoy collaborative writing in creating a character, or do some just appear to you fully formed and others work more in appearing in an ensemble?
I loved working with Rhys as he and I gel really well and also he works really hard. Other wise I write my characters on my own which is harder as you no one to bounce ideas off, you have to work out things after performing them. But generally I like to work with someone else.
You’ve worked with some pretty legendary writing collaborators – on The Fast Show alone there was you and Paul Whitehouse, Caroline Aherne, Charlie Higson. What stands out to you as elements in a writer that makes you want to work with them?
If you think people’s characters are funny and clever then generally you work well with them. Paul and Charlie assembled The Fast Show after seeing our work live.
Your character Billy Bleach came from The Fast Show and the 2003 comedy Grass. He’s been with you for a good while – do you think he has changed over the years, and where do you think he’ll be in another 15 years’ time?
Billy Bleach is a changed man, as you will see when he performs on this tour. He has been convicted of making 167 sexist comments in Witherspoons and has had to change his behaviours, but has he changed? In 15 years he could be anywhere, probably in Thailand.
Do you like, or have a fondness for, all of the characters that you portray that you are involved in the writing of?
Well you have to love your characters otherwise how can you expect other people to love them. Some I am more fond of than others. I am doing Tony Beckton on this tour, who has spent 27 years in jail – making him likeable will prove a challenge! My favourite would probably be Billy Bleach.
You’ve been cast in and involved with some incredible theatre productions, whilst also being seen frequently on the small screen – most recently on C4’s Loaded. What draws you to the live performance, and also to the filmed one repeatedly?
Well TV is great fun and very easy to do but it comes and goes, whereas live work is more dependable if people want to see you.
I am looking to tour every year for a while as it is something I have neglected for too long.
What role have you yet to play that you would love to be cast in – from a favourite book, play or musical – and why?
I would love to do a proper costume drama – the language was better then.
Who do you like to watch, or listen to, from the current crop of comedians performing at the moment?
I still love Jim and Bob (Vic Reeves aka Jim Moir and Bob Mortimer) and I am a big fan of Sean Lock. I really enjoyed Julia Davies’ camping show too.
The British Arts Council gives you five million quid to do anything you like with, so long as it’s a creative thing. What would you do with it?
I would have probably get Grayson Perry to do a permanent mural somewhere.
Simon Day, In Character, Komedia, Thursday 5 October 2017, 8pm, £20, www.komedia.co.uk
