Interview: Kevin Eldon
Award-winning comic, actor, comedy collaborator and more, Kevin Eldon, headlines an awesome line-up for The Neuro Foundation. He spoke with Victoria Nangle.
How are you today?
Slight neck ache, but otherwise generally filled with at least one joy of spring.
What got you involved in this fundraiser for The Neuro Foundation?
I was approached by a local guy Jay Law via a comedian friend of mine Simon Munnery. Jay’s son suffers from neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic condition that mainly affects the nervous system and skin, but it can vary hugely from person to person. It causes tumors to grow, so in serious cases can be life threatening. There’s currently no cure. All money raised from the gig will go to The Neuro Foundation who fund research into the condition. The foundation also have 6 nurses on staff (more needed) who provide guidelines and assistance to GPs, schools etc across the country and they provide a support network to people all over the world affected by neurofibromatosis. They rely entirely on donations as they don’t receive any government funding, so every penny counts. For more details go to www.nfauk.org.
It’s a cracking line-up – with John Kearns, Ed Aczel and Benny Boot to name a few. How involved were you in gathering them together?
I’d be fibbing if I said I’d hand picked them – due to a communication cock-up I was only able to confirm comparatively late in the day. However, I’m delighted and honoured to be sharing the bill with such a talented bunch.
I thoroughly enjoyed your musical shenanigans at the concert celebrating Nick Pynn at the Dome’s Concert Hall not long ago. Will we be treated to more melodic treats?
Not so much more, as possibly mostly the same. But I’ll do them all in a different accent and say different things between them.
You have worked with some legends of comedy – from Chris Morris in Jam to a wonderful double act with Bill Bailey clearly influenced by European electronica. Is there anyone you’ve yet to work with who you’d like to, comedically?
Vic and Bob’d be a real thrill. I love em.
What is the most bizarre thing you’ve done in the name of entertainment?
I’ve travelled to Leicester.
Do you have another award-winning solo show in the wings waiting for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe?
I don’t. I don’t even have a flop waiting in the wings. I spent about two days in January contemplating doing another one but then I found my shoulders had fossilised with the very thought and I gave myself another year off. Maybe next year I’ll finally get round to tackling that difficult second solo show.
What are your plans for the next 12 months?
I’ll hopefully just keep doing what I usually do which is to throw myself into various telly, film, live and radio projects. Plus the writing. Oh and there’s the missus and little un. I’m rather fond of them, don’t you know, so we’ll be hanging out, shopping, going down slides, arguing about ice cream consumption, that sort of thing.
In reference to that – what would you like for Christmas?
Driving gloves and aftershave please.
What non-comedic/performance ambition is still nagging at you to be fulfilled?
I’d like to play Albert Tatlock in the stage show ‘Coronation Street – The Sharples Years’. Anybody under 50, I’m afraid you’ll have to google that.
Thank you very much. Have a glorious rest of your day.
And you and you and you.
Kevin Eldon And Some Colleagues, Sat 17 May (1.30pm), £12/10, Brighthelm Church & Community Centre, boxoffice.brightonfringe.org
