Weather experts are predicting a tornado of tangents, soon to make landfall. . . But this is no feat of mother nature.
It's the Wizard of Waffle himself – Ross Noble – back live on stage. . . And what the show is actually about is anyone's guess. But that's the fun of a Ross Noble show.
Ross is known for his surreal, freewheeling style. He first gained traction on the UK comedy circuit, before becoming a global favourite with sell-out tours all over the place, including Australia.
He's enjoyed critical acclaim and become an award-winning staple of the comedy scene across the globe, with live shows and stand-up specials aplenty.
Now he's back on stage around the country, with a new show, 'Cranium Of Curiosities'.
In the midst of a string of Aussie dates, Ross sits down to chat with us about all things comedy, staying inspired on tour, and the best thing about his job.
Welcome back to Australia, Ross! Your new show is intriguingly titled 'Cranium Of Curiosities’. Can you give us a peek into what audiences can expect when they delve into your mind this time around?
Expect the unexpected. My shows are not your standard observational comedy fair. The fun of it for me is taking ideas for a walk and surprising the audience, and the best shows are when that happens while they surprise me and I surprise myself.
You've been dubbed the 'Wizard of Waffle' and 'The Rambler Royale’. How do these playful titles reflect your unique approach to stand-up comedy?
Some might see waffling and rambling on around a subject as a negative thing and if you are a hostage negotiator that’s probably true, but for a comic it’s perfect.
Touring extensively can be both exhilarating and exhausting. What are you most looking forward to about performing across Australia, and how do you keep your energy up on the road?
The worst thing to do is sit in your hotel room or the hotel bar because they are all the same and your body and brain go into screensaver mode. I like to get out and explore. I run round the town. It’s a good way to get your heart pumping and see a different side of the place.
Your comedy is renowned for its spontaneous and tangential nature. How do you balance improvisation with structured material during your performances?
The best way is to not think about it in those terms. You improvise an idea and run with it for five minutes, but because it’s so specific to that night you can’t repeat it. The tiny bit that you can, becomes the seed for new ideas. If I tell a story I will often tell it out of order or head off on tangents to mess with it. It’s like painting a picture – you can sketch it, use oils, do it as a collage. . .
Having spent a significant amount of time in Australia, is there a particular Aussie tradition or quirk that you've grown especially fond of?
Bunnings sausage sizzle. The greatest tradition of them all. Saturday morning, I like to do a local park run then smash a sausage, maybe buy some picture hooks.
Your shows often involve interacting with the audience in unpredictable ways. Do you have a favourite memory from an Australian gig where an audience interaction took the show in an unexpected direction?
The best one ever was from a radio show rather than a gig. I was on triple j and started a rumour that George Foreman had no fingerprints. People ran with the idea and the lie resurfaced just recently when he died. I guess now he’s gone we will never be able to prove if it was real or not.
With 'Cranium Of Curiosities' touring both Australia and the UK, do you find that audiences in these countries respond differently to your material? How do you adapt your performances, if at all?
It’s more about the town than the country. If you’re doing jokes about riding cane trains in Sydney, you will probably get weird looks – but do it in Bundaberg and they will make you major.
Lastly, what would you say has been the most rewarding thing about your career in stand-up so far?
Not having a boss.
Ross Noble Australia 2025 Tour Dates
9 May – Geelong Arts Centre10 May – Albury Entertainment Centre
13 May – Bay Pavilions (Batemans Bay)
14 May – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
15 May – Anita's Theatre (Thirroul)
16 May – Canberra Theatre Centre
17 May – Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre (Picton)
20-25 May – Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane Comedy Festival)
27 May – Kyneton Town Hall
29 May – Gippsland Performing Arts Centre
30 May – Theatre Royal (Castlemaine)
31 May – Frankston Arts Centre
1 June – Riverlinks Westside (Shepparton)
10 June – Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool
11 June – Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre
12 June – Ulumbarra Theatre (Bendigo)
6 September – Palais Theatre (Melbourne)
13 September – State Theatre (Sydney)
