Multi award-winning English comedian Paul Foot returns to Sydney and Perth with his new show 'Swan Power’.
The comedian, who first tried his hand at stand-up as a teenager, has played a number of shows as well as appearing on television shows such as 'Would I Lie To You' and '8 Out Of 10 Cats'. . . Plus he's got his own podcast, and has been nominated for – and won – comedy awards here in Australia.
Now he's back, baybayyy! His show, 'Swan Power', has nothing to do with swans – so swan lovers should lower their expectations. It does, however, feature plenty of the stand-up comedy stylings of Paul Foot which audiences have come to known and love over the years.
Before Paul hits Sydney and Perth stages, we chat to him about all things 'Swan Power', online trolling, his start in comedy, and more.
Where did the name for this show come from?
The first thing to point out is that, like all my shows to date, the title is entirely independent of the content. There is no mention of swans for the entire hour duration of the performance. Which is ironic, as swans and their power are rarely off my mind. Particularly after the show, when I am inevitably mobbed by swan humour lovers demanding refunds. I point out to them that for every person who loved swan-based humour, there is someone who hates it and I have to cater to them as well. Soon, two opposing throngs gather – the swan humour lovers and haters trading insults and occasionally throwing things. And I’m caught in the crossfire. I wish I’d never called my show 'Swan Power'.
If you had to describe your comedy style in three words, what words would you use?
Surprising, uplifting, devastating.
There’s a suggestion to a potential solution to the problem of online trolling in your show. What can you tease about this particular subject?
A few years ago there was a homophobic hate campaign against me from some internet people in America, so I’ve always been interested in online trolling and what can be done about it. So, recently, when I was watching a video on YouTube of my favourite programme, 'Dragons’ Den' aka 'Shark Tank', and saw a load of misogynistic comments below it, I started to think about what was going on in the minds of these people who post this stuff. That’s where the idea for my auto-translator came from, it’s an invention I’ve made that uses AI to translate misogynistic comments online into what the person really meant. In the show, I give some examples of comments from losers and then provide the translation, so we can all laugh at them.
For any newbies, how did you get your start in comedy?
I was studying mathematics at university and planning a career as an accountant when someone said I was funny and should try stand-up at the university comedy club. I thought I’d give it a go for a laugh and was very clear in my mind that this would be a one-off never-to-be-repeated thing. Something that years later, I could tell my fellow accountants about at the end of tax year coffee and nibbles. As soon as I’d done the gig, I had a road to Damascus moment and knew that would be my career. I abandoned mathematics soon after. Occasionally, as I travel the world performing my surreal and unusual comedy to adoring crowds, I have a pang of regret and wish I were a provincial accountant. But not often.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about the art form since you began?
When I did my first gig, I’d never actually ever seen a stand-up comedian before, so I didn’t even really understand what it was. I didn’t know, for example, that comedians prepare humour in advance of going on the stage, so I just went up there and made up some stuff based on what people in the audience’s favourite fruit was. It all went really well, of course, hence my aforementioned decision to abandon my accountancy dreams. But I did notice that night that all the other comedians did, in fact, have jokes they had actually carefully thought of in advance. So I do that now as well.
What do you love most about Australian audiences?
They’re enthusiastic, relaxed and warm-hearted people. Mind you, my audiences are really great in the U.K. as well. The main difference is that afterwards, when I walk home, it’s not friggin’ raining with a seasonal high of minus three degrees.
When it comes to constructing the content of a new show, where do you begin? Do you have a go-to method?
I write with my writing partner, Aaron. It makes sense that I would write with a writing partner. There wouldn’t be much point writing with my backgammon partner. Not that I have a backgammon partner. I don’t play often enough to warrant seeking a specific partner for that activity. Thinking about it, I suppose Aaron would be my backgammon partner as he enjoys the game, but only plays occasionally, as he doesn’t know anyone apart from me who knows the rules. So, I suppose, in that sense, I do write with my backgammon partner. Anyway, none of this is important. The point is that my backgammon partner and I write the show together. We go somewhere warm – Spain perhaps, sit in the sunshine with a glass of wine and do nothing but come up with a load of ideas for pieces of humour. Then we spend months going round the rainy U.K. painstakingly honing and moulding the ideas until they join forces to become a finely-crafted and craftily-concocted hour of comedy.
The secret to a perfect comedy show (apart from good jokes) is. . .
Say around 295 funny things (that’s five laughs per minute, plus one minute midway through the show for the audience to rest), make sure none of those jokes is about swans.
Paul Foot plays The Comedy Store (Sydney Comedy Festival) 29-30 April and Planet Royale (Perth Comedy Festival) 5 May.
