Stephen K Amos says in our Rarely Asked Questions feature below that he doesn’t like adjectives before his name so I won't give him one. But if I did it would probably be “brilliant”. Amos is a brilliant comedian who has the ability to strike up an instant rapport with his live audience. I’ve seen him stand in front of a room of strangers and after a few minutes they all seem to be his friends. He can do this whether he is compering or doing his own act.
At the Soho Theatre fronting his own show he will have more time to talk about himself, but he always finds time to talk to the audience too. At the end of the day though there is no doubt about who is the star. Amos is doing all the hard work and it is Amos who makes the night unforgettable. I guess that’s another adjective you could stick in front of his name if he would let you – “unforgettable”. Stephen K Amos brings his show, Welcome To My World, to the Soho Theatre from March 10 -21. Tickets here. He is also at the Udderbelly, London, on July 4. Tickets here.
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies, check for spinach between teeth and check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt)?
I'm not one for rituals or superstition. The very last thing I do is listen to the buzz that's in the room, because that for me generally indicates the mood of the audience. There was a time I'd never drink or eat before going on and some people even have a particular walk-on track. For me these are all just barriers in your own head. I prefer just to be in moment.
2. What irritates you?
Lazy journalists. For example questions like - what can people expect from your show? And the worst offenders, those whose research merely means a click on wikipedia. I've never put anything or endorsed anything that appears on that site so I can always tell when that's the limit of their knowledge. Also I find social media quite worrying, people are very quick to voice an opinion based on little or no fact.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Skydiving. My friends and I were at a party that lasted all night and we were to say the least a little bit worse for wear. One bright spark suggested we go skydiving at around 7am. Let's just say it cleared my head instantly.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
See above.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
When an audience is relaxed and comfortable I'm always surprised at how much information about themselves they're prepared to share.
Read more answers from Amos here.
