Muppet of a man

Master ventriloquist Paul Zerdin is coming to town, with a brand new show – a sitcom no less! Victoria Nangle finds out more about living with puppets, writing for puppets, and what happens when puppets get involved with your love life

So, I like to imagine you come up with a new show by bantering with all of your characters on end around the house – but is it more a question of sitting down with a piece of paper and writing for eight hours a day until it’s done?
Yes and no! It’s a constant process of me always thinking of the next idea or routine no matter where I am or what I’m doing. Sometimes I’ll think of an idea then try and shape it into some sort of routine, and then I’ll get to a dead end, so I’ll send it to my long term writing partner who’ll knock it into shape and send it back, and then I’ll mess around with it and then try it. Another time I might just be mucking around doing voices at home making my girlfriend laugh, and then turn it into a ‘bit’ (piece, gag or routine). Then once it’s in the show it gets tweaked constantly, as you’re always trying to find the laugh in every tiny piece of it.

What made you decide to adopt the sitcom format for your show, as opposed to the more familiar straight-to-audience style?
It’s seems to be a natural progression, as I’m on stage half the time with a character, and rather than being a straight-forward stand up where it’s just you addressing the crowd, I’ve got someone else to talk to. This almost certainly turns into more of a situation where I’m discovering something about the different characters when they’re with me.

The combo of smart-talking and ‘adult content’ puppets having a linear story sounds not dissimilar to Avenue Q. Do you think it will appeal to the same audience?
Yes I do, as there are adult subjects discussed with my characters, songs, and Muppety-style puppets.

When you introduce a new cast member to your show, do you come up with the character before you meet the puppet – or do the features of the puppet help to form the character?
Bit of both, really. Sometimes I find a voice and that can determine the look. It’s the hardest thing coming up with a new character, which is why I have kept my three main characters but delved into their personalities in more depth. I would rather be a ventriloquist with a few fully rounded characters than one with loads of fairly banal puppets.

With this in mind, have you ever been derailed by a particularly striking audience member you’ve brought into the show as an ‘audience participation member’?
Not really, although working with different members of the audience every night throws up different dialogue, depending on how they react to what ever I make them do. I love the improv aspect and potential when I control members of the audience.

Your love life gets a rough ride of it in the show. Have you ever used your ventriloquist’s talents to charm your way to some favourable attention off stage?
I’ve flirted with an attractive woman in the front row. I would much rather have the puppet pick on a nice-looking woman than a complete moose.

What top tips would you give to anyone hoping to follow in your footsteps of leading possibly the most compliant comedy troupe?
Be prepared for a long hard slog of dejection, from rejection, and always believe in your dream.

I would rather have the puppet pick on a nice-looking woman than a complete moose

What have you got up your sleeve in terms of plans for the next 12 months?
Touring, then writing more material for the next show for next year, and working on a long term TV development project.

Have you – or would you – ever been/go swimming in the Sussex sea? It’s rather brilliant.
I had a girlfriend from Brighton for a while and we used to spend of lot time by the sea. By the sea though, not in it!

For full details of The Paul Zerdin Show tour check out www.paulzerdin.com
Capitol Horsham, Saturday 6 September, 7.30pm, £16.50/15, 01403 750220, tickets.thecapitolhorsham.com/peo/
Brighton Comedy Festival at The Corn Exchange, Saturday 18 October,
7.30pm, £16/14, 01273 709709, www.brightoncomedyfestival.com