Whether you are in a band or a sketch group when members start doing solo shows it can mean various things. Maybe their egos are too big contain as part of an ensemble. Maybe they just want to flex their creative muscles on their own for a while. Maybe this is a hint that the group is about to go their separate ways. Or maybe, in the case of Pappy’s, they just couldn’t be arsed to do a brand new show for this year’s Fringe, so Matthew Crosby and Tom Parry did solo shows instead. It occurred to me that Pappy’s are the Manic Street Preachers of comedy. They started out as a quartet. Slimmed down to a trio causing much sadness. Two of the members have struck out on their own. But I think that’s where the similarity ends. I don't recall the Manics having a chubby, daft member like Tom Parry who would rip his clothes off at the drop of a hat. Parry’s very silly solo debut Yellow T-Shirt picked up a Foster's Best Newcomer nomination in Edinburgh and comes to Soho Theatre from Sept 29 - Aug 3. Tickets here. Go see. It's a great show with a great big finish. And I don't mean a podgy version of Design For Life.
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)?
Find someone to high 5. I saw The Hold Steady do it before they went on at a music gig. If it’s for my solo show then normally my techy - Pegs.
2. What irritates you?
Money matters. If I could never think about money ever then I’d love that.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
This year I drank some wood. That felt pretty fucking dangerous. I was making a smoothie and jammed a wooden spoon in to get the Kale amongst the blades and ended up chopping the spoon in. Drank the fucker anyway. Kale is too pricey to waste nowadays.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Taken people who I loved for granted.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
That I have one. Also how bloody nice other comedians are to each other. I’ve found it to be a very supportive community.
Interview with Tom Parry continues here.
