Published: Thursday, 29th May, 2008 07:00
Hooray Henry!
By James Kell
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“THERE are people going around saying stand up is a dead artform, but I
say that’s bollocks.”
Lenny Henry’s 30-year career has seen him progress from 16-year-old
winner of New Faces, to a household name with his finger in numerous pies as a comic performer and writer, and serious actor, as well as Comic Relief front man.
But talking to the Chronicle ahead of dates in Newbury and Bracknell next month, the buzz of live stand up is clearly still a huge draw.
The dates are a chance to hone the act ahead a 17-date tour of Australia and New Zealand in July,
“They are like warm up gigs I suppose, but they are pretty important because there’s new material in there and we’re always looking to improve the show.
“There’s still some of the characters in there like Mister Lister and Reverend Nat Minister, but I talk about growing up in Dudley and that kind of thing as well.”
Keen-eyed audience members at South Street Arts Centre may have spotted Lenny and his wife Dawn French at a recent gig by comedienne Josie Long, and he told the Chronicle the area had a lot to offer aspiring comic talent.
“There’s a lot going on, and definitely in South Street. I thought Josie Long was excellent. But Reading gets everybody, because it’s a big gig.”
The tour to Australia and New Zealand will be Lenny’s fifth journey down under, and he told the Chronicle of his affinity with Antipodean audiences and their ability to take his act at face value.
He said: “I think there’s less baggage. Over here I’ve been around a while and I’m the guy who was in The Black and White Minstrels, or the guy who won New Faces, but over there it’s a case of 'you’re funny’ or not.
“But I really like it over there, I like the aboriginal art, the people are friendly, the Maoris are great, so it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
While his drive to entertain is clearly undiminished, he laughs off suggestions that he’s reached the status of national institution, quipping “yeah,
like Jif.”
So what motivates him to keep performing and pursuing new projects? -
“There’s a desire to remain relevant I suppose. If you’ve got a talent you don’t want to stay stuck in a rut.
“I’m a bit of a restless spirit really, if I’m not doing something that challenges me I get down in the mouth.
“I think people know me and they know I’m not going to go away.”
Lenny has enjoyed playing classical music-loving Adam in Radio Four sitcom Rudy’s Rare Records.
Adam has to abandon his metropolitan London life to help out in a dingy Birmingham record shop after his father (Rudy) suffers an apparent heart attack. There are hopes it can follow other comedies that began life on the radio, like Little Britain and make the transition to the small screen.
In August Lenny will be MC at the Rock With Laughter shows at four stately homes around the country.
He said: “Jasper Carrot originally organised Rock With Laughter as a one-off Christmas charity thing, but it did really well and sold out the NEC in Birmingham, so we’ve managed to get more people involved, Jo Brand is doing it and I think Jimmy Carr is as well, and we've got The Bootleg Beatles so it should be great fun.”
So who are his comedy heroes, and who does he admire of the current crop of stand-up comedians?
“There’s a lot of people I like around, but in the end I like who I like. I’m a big fan of Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Robin Williams,
but I also think Stuart Lee’s a genius and Sean Lock is a genius. At the end of the day, stand up is alive and well and people still love it.”
Further Details
Film of the week: Australia 