The man’s so funny, they booked him twice. Nish Kumar brings his razor-sharp political insight to the Nottingham Playhouse two times in October during the Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe tour. Here he gives LeftLion an exclusive peek…
Well, thank you Nish for speaking to LeftLion today. You’re coming to Nottingham twice in October. What can audiences expect on the nights?
They can expect a stand-up comedy show about unfunny subjects. That's the way I'm pitching it currently.
Well, that's interesting. There's going to be jokes about climate collapse and income inequality. And I was thinking, what's funny about that?
I like to do comedy about things that I am obsessed by. And I wish I was obsessed by some more relaxed and more entertaining things than that, but I’m not, sorry. Yeah. I like the idea of making people laugh about things that aren't of themselves inherently funny.
Is that to spread awareness or make people think?
I mean, I think that's probably a retrospective term that I've slapped onto it. In reality, it’s more solipsistic than that. I'm only capable of talking about things that are obsessing me.
You're billed as a political comic, what attracts you to politics? And would you stand for Parliament if you were given the chance?
I'll answer the second question first, definitely not? Absolutely not, under no circumstances would I stand for parliament because I think everybody's had enough of the entertainer politician. We need serious people who have specific ideas about how to enact the change the country badly needs. And I would say that I'm interested in politics insofar as I'm interested in the kind of systems that govern our lives. And I'm interested in the institutions that govern our lives. And I think that I have a sort of healthy combination of an appreciation for them and a mistrust of them.
Were you born to be funny? And how did you get into being a professional comic?
I was always a big fan of comedy on television from when I was a little kid. And I think that’s how I got into it. When I was at university, I joined a sketch group and went up to the Edinburgh Fringe. And that was my first taste of understanding what an actual career in comedy involves.
I was looking at your tour dates, and I thought, golly, this guy tours the country a lot. Do you enjoy life on the road?
Well, the nice thing about touring as a comedian is that I never disappear completely. So, I'm largely away Wednesday to Sunday. And so, I'm home every week, I'm not away in that sense. And, yeah, I like going to the movies a lot. And so that's a hobby that tessellates nicely with a job that involves me having a lot of free time in various towns and cities, because they've all got cinemas. It's a useful thing for me to be into, given the way in which my free time manifests itself.
I think everybody's had enough of the entertainer politician. We need serious people who have specific ideas about how to enact the change the country badly needs
When you meet new people, do they always expect you to always be funny?
I guess there was some expectation that I'm going to be continually hilarious. But I am, so it's fine.
What advice would you give anyone wanting to get into stand-up comedy?
My most important piece of advice is that if you're interested in going into comedy, particularly stand-up, just do it. There's no substitute for doing it. You can read all the articles you want. You can listen to all the podcasts telling you how to do it. But there is no substitute for just doing it. Give it a go and you'll figure out pretty quickly if it's something you want to do or not.
Is there anything about Nottingham that sticks in your memory?
I’ve done a lot of gigs in Nottingham, and I guess that I'm always very pleased by how quickly the show sells. We've had to add a second show. And the Playhouse is a really beautiful theatre, so I'm always excited to be here. It's a good comedy town.
And after this tour, the Hey, Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe tour, what's next for Nish?
Honestly, I don't know, really. It's hard for me to look beyond. I'm doing a weekly news podcast. But the tour is sort of long. And we're talking about doing some shows in America and Australia next year. So that I will really only be done with this show next summer. That’s why it's difficult for me to look beyond that. And my podcasts will run at least until next May or June. So, I'll cross the next bridge when I come to it.
Your tour must be so immersive, you don't have time to think of the future?
Yeah, I'd say that's true.
Anything else you’d like to add?
The most important thing is: buy tickets. You don't even have to come. Just buy the tickets, and I'll have your money. And then I'll feel great.
Is there anything special about the show you'd like people to know?
My advice would be to Google me first and have a little look. If it seems like your cup of tea, definitely come. If you are immediately irritated, please don't. Don't put yourself through that process.
Why? Do you ever have problems with hecklers?
Not on tour. But occasionally people come and they seem annoyed and I think, guys, you've got to use the internet. It's a wonderful resource. It's not just for pornography.
So, you’re talking about things that are important to you and they perhaps disagree?
Yeah, sometimes. Yeah. Or they just don't expect it to be as intensely political as it is. That’s why I would just say, give me a quick Google and make an informed entertainment choice.
Nish Kumar is appearing at the Playhouse on Wednesday 9 October and then again on Wed 30 October 2024.
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