Kieran Hodgson's 2015 Edinburgh show Lance was staged in the same room as 2014's Foster's Award winner, John Kearns. And for a while it looked as if Hodgson might be picking up the Foster's Award too. In the end he had to make do with only a nomination for his brilliant piece, which explored one man's obsession with cycling in general and Lance Armstrong in particular. Hodgson played all the characters with consummate skill – it is no surprise that as well as solo work and previously appearing in sketch combo Kieran & The Joes he is also building up a head of steam as a proper actor. Hodgson has various projects in development but at the moment Lance is keeping him busy. Following a successful run at the Soho Theatre he is currently doing it at The Invisible Dot until Nov 14. He is also doing it as part in the big-value-for-money Megagrotto on Nov 21 alongside Simon Munnery, Felicity Ward, Michael Legge and loads more, tickets here. He then returns to Soho for more dates from Nov 25 - 28. Basically get on your bike and catch up with Lance.
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 yell to my tech, Cassie, 'see you on the other side' and it makes what we're about to do seem very important. Then I walk up and down for a bit, maybe practicing a bit of German, eg 'eine minute' when there's one minute to go.
2. What irritates you?
People who stand in huge groups at London termini during a tube strike doing a lot of self-righteous grumbling instead of setting out to walk. A lot of other things.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
I once went white water rafting in Canada but the supervisors were very well trained and there were a lot of safeguards in place so there was very little danger, truth be told. I can't say I seek it out, preferring to get my thrills from seeing if I will or won't pay the rent this month.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
I was in France and one of the metal prongs from a plug came lodged in the power socket. Not engaging brain remotely, I then stuck my hand in to try and yank said prong out. In the aftermath of the considerable electric shock that followed I struggled to work out how I had reached that decision. Not long after, only a few feet away, I burnt some of my hair because I was trying to write my diary by candlelight. Mum and Dad will HATE reading this bit.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How large the comedy community is and how much talent and intelligence it contains, especially in the live arena. Many's the Edinburgh show I've seen that ought to stand as some sort of cultural artefact of the age.
Interview continues here.
