Dave Spikey is bringing his Words Don’t Come Easy tour to Lincoln next month when he takes the stage at the Engine Shed on 11th October 2011.
LoveLincoln.co.uk Editor Holly caught up with Dave to discuss the tour, TV and the vagaries of the English language.
I have to admit I was quite excited to interview Dave Spikey, multi award-winning comedian, actor and writer. Ironically, in the run-up to his Words Don’t Come Easy tour, Dave and I had a nice long chat about Phoenix Nights, favourite comedians and what’s coming next.
While working in the haematology laboratory at Bolton General Hospital for 30 years Dave got involved in amateur dramatics and was told that he should do stand-up comedy.
He took it up as a hobby and performed in talent shows and small comedy clubs before he started doing gigs with some big name comedians. Shortly after he met comedy legend Peter Kay, which was the catalyst for his career, he started writing and found himself “in a situation where everything just took off”.
“I’m a bit of a sponge,” said Dave. “I’m a keen observer of life. I eavesdrop and take note of how people use and abuse language in everyday conversations which stimulates other ideas. That’s what the Words Don’t Come Easy tour is all about – the misuse of the language. I use my observations as the inspiration for my material.”
According to Dave it’s his job to make everyday life bigger and better than ever. “It’s about taking something you know and exaggerating it until it becomes funny,” he said.
When asked how he still keeps audiences laughing after 20 years in the business he said his passion for what he does comes through loud and clear. “I love what I do and I think that comes across to the audience. I still laugh at my own jokes and laughter is so infectious.
“There are so many different comedians out there now and comedy evolves as the world changes so the trick is to keep it fresh and enjoy it. If I’m bored of my comedy, I can’t expect the audience to find me funny. I got a review recently and it said at the end that the show was ‘like a night out in the pub with mates’ which is exactly what I want my comedy to be.”
With this in mind I asked Dave who his favourite comedian is – a difficult question considering the high quality and quantity of comedians on the circuit today.
“It’s a tough one! The trouble is you work so much you don’t get to enjoy other comedians’ work too often! I was certainly influenced early on by Billy Connolly. He’s funny from the minute he steps on stage until he steps off, which is a special gift.
“Jimmy Carr and Sean Lock are definitely up there – and Ricky Gervais! His humour’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I like it and the man’s got funny bones. He was made for comedy.”
Dave has a history in TV as well as on the stage: he was a team captain on hit comedy show 8 Out of 10 Cats for four series and presenter of Bullseye and he played Jerry ‘St. Clair’ Dignan in Phoenix Nights alongside Peter Kay.
“I love Jerry, he’s such a nice bloke,” said Dave. “He’s like the stooge to Peter Kay’s character Brian Potter.
“I’d never really acted before Phoenix Nights so it was a bit daunting. TV comedy is different to stand-up – none of us on Phoenix Nights were trained in drama and a lot of comedy is instinct so that was probably the hardest thing – having the discipline to get it right and keep it funny for all the takes.
“The difference between TV and stand-up is how you approach it. TV has to be rehearsed and done in a particular way whereas with stand-up I can still be coming up with lines in the car on the way to a gig, deliver it to a packed theatre half an hour later and get laughs. It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.”
Having been to Lincolnshire before but never to Lincoln Dave is looking forward to taking the time to enjoy the city rather than dashing in and out to perform.
When I asked what’s next for him after the tour there’s no sign of things slowing down. He’s going to be busy with a script commission, writing a sitcom about ballroom dancing for the BBC with Neil Fitzmaurice who co-wrote Phoenix Nights with him.
“There’s no guarantee it will go anywhere but we’re going to enjoy writing it!”
Dave also wanted to try his hand at directing so he made a short 10-minute film for a film festival in Manchester.
“Other than that it’s a constant stream of writing and research! There’s no rest for the wicked!”
Dave Spikey is performing his Words Don’t Come Easy stand-up show at Engine Shed on 11th October at 7.15pm.
