Al Porter is definitely going places. Probably that primetime household name shiny-floored place. He certainly looks the part in his sharp suit and Leslie Crowther hairstyle. And he has the talent to go with it too. Still in his early twenties he is already a TV regular back home in Ireland and made a big impression when he appeared on Live at the Apollo last year. He certainly works hard too, squeezing more words into his set than most would use in a week. As he mentions in this hilarious interview below, he could give Lee Evans a run for his money in the sweating stakes. His material is pretty universal – families, love, work – but, boy is it good fun to listen to him. And don’t just take my word for it, fellow comic Joel Dommett calls him “a little bundle of Irish joy.”
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth) ?
I gave up checking my fly when - in trying to convince myself it was definitely up at a Gala gig - I decided to zip it down and up again to be sure. At this moment a handsome tech man fixed my mic and I forgot to re-zip. I walked out on stage, fly-down. This was fine. What wasn't is several confused comics had seen this - as if I had done it deliberately... Confidently looked out at the 1,000 people and thought ‘Here goes..’ Unzip. ‘You know, give the people what they want?’ Mortifying.
Now, the last thing I do is ask a Handsome Tech is everything in place, including the Zip. And then say a prayer to my Gods of Comedy, that's Larry (Grayson) Frankie (Howard) & Dave (Allen). 'Shut that Door, Shut Yer Face and May your God Go With You’.
2. What irritates you?
I’m an old romantic, I can’t abide people who say ‘If you’re looking for love you’ll never find it. You have to stop looking.’ Really? If you applied that technique for finding things to anything else you were looking for, you’d be missing a lot of shit. ‘I’m looking for my phone’ - ‘Stop looking, let the phone come to you’ - I’d end up using your phone, wouldn’t I? And that’s how affairs happen.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
In working class Dublin it’s a compliment to tell a girl, “You’re only feckin massive!”. 'You’re only massive' would translate to you look stunning. I paid this compliment to a girl in Glasgow. That was dangerous.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
There’s a long list. I would say almost joining the Priesthood but I did once perform in a mankini to a Stag party after agreeing to go to Santa Ponsa with 20 other strangers for a 50th. I was still considering a life in the Church, by the way. Bless me Father, for I have sinned.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
That anyone comes! It’s a fine line between a man on a soapbox on the street corner and a comic. It’s been a pleasant surprise to see how many people, from different corners of the world, can find truth and laughter in stories I’ve told down the local pub about the days on the council estate or the romantic mishaps! We’ve more in common than we think.
Interview continues here.
