When did you start performing as a comedian?
“About 10 years ago. I’d always loved comedy, when I was younger I used to record the audio from The Young Ones and Blackadder and Fawlty Towers and I’d listen to them at night. I loved them so much. There was always a part of me that wanted to do stand up but just never knew how to go about it. One day I was walking past The Comedian in Brighton and they were advertising a workshop and I figured if I don’t do it now I never will. And I haven’t looked back since.”
Where has been your favourite place to perform?
“The Comedian in Brighton is an amazing venue, I’ve done a couple of gigs in Ventnor and always had fun and always enjoyed it. I’m really looking forward to doing my hour-long show there. I closed a night at what used to be the old bank.”
Back when the the bank was a bit of a husk, right? (This was when the bank had been ripped out and was between being a bank and The Arts Club.)
“Yeah, I think I made a joke about it being a comedy night before it was a hostage situation.
It depends on so much, it’s not just about the venues but it’s about the people. I’ve had some gigs in big venues and I’ve hated it and then I’ve done great gigs in small pubs. I did a gig to two people in a pub in Canterbury – and to be honest it was one of the nicest gigs I’ve ever done.”
What has inspired your latest set?
“This is my first hour show that I’m doing. I’ve left it quite long to do an hour show but it wasn’t until last year that I started getting jealous of people doing hour shows, but I kind of figured it was about time to put together my show. My set changed pretty much each week, I talk about things that have happened to me, so basically I have a comedic diary of everything that’s happened to me over the last five years.
Five years ago my marriage ended, I was diagnosed with depression so I had to start doing things about it to make things better. So the hour show is basically about a fresh start.
I moved into a caravan, which probably doesn’t sound like the best start to make. It kind of opened a lot of doors, but that’s basically what the show it about. And along the way I’ve learnt the meaning of life.”
Rob didn’t tell me the meaning of life, but told me that I’d find out at his show this Thursday at 8.30pm in The Long Room in The Winter Gardens.