Scottish comedian Danny Bhoy returns to Perth this month with his brand-new show, Age Of Fools, hitting the Astor Theatre from Monday, March 4 to Saturday, March 9. He talked to BRAYDEN EDWARDS about why his return to Australia is clouded with memories both good and bad, giant fruits, the misconceived romanticism of whisky and what he still fails to comprehend about the land down under.
You’ve been a regular visitor to Australia for over 15 years now, is there anything you still have trouble comprehending about the place?
In 2017, I decided to tour all the regional towns in Australia, which is a bit like trying to visit every church in Italy. Consequently, I spent long periods of time on featureless roads. But, every so often, and for no apparent reason, a ‘big thing’ sprung up on the side of the road. I recall a big prawn in Queensland; a huge pineapple somewhere; a massive bottle in NSW and, unless someone had drugged my coffee, a gigantic sheep in the middle of nowhere? That is to name but a few. I never really got to the bottom of it.
I’m sure you’ll admit Scotland has its quirks too, what do you find you are always having to explain to foreigners about your homeland?
Quite often, I have to correct Americans on their pronunciation of Edinburgh, which they tend to call ‘Edinboro.’ I wouldn’t mind, except that it sounds so awful to my ears. I also have to explain to Americans that whisky doesn’t have quite the same romantic connotations at home, as it seems to have outside of Scotland. In the majority of pubs, it is sold to only the hardened alcoholics, in large measures from ‘a big bottle’ and tastes like bubble bath.
Your new show is called Age of Fools, what do you think it is about this current era that has allowed the fools to rise to the top?
I have no idea, but generally when bad things happen in this world, it’s because we take our eye off the ball. In the last few years though, it appears the ball has smashed us in the head and knocked us unconscious and when we woke up it, we weren’t even watching the same game.
And what contemporary ‘fools’ are you finding to be a rich source of comedy gold for you?
Clearly there is one name that stands head and shoulders above all else. But, actually, there are an awful lot of enablers who are culpable for the current situation. In Britain, we seem to be yearning for the days when aristocrats walked the streets whacking poor people with a stick.
What’s the most foolish thing you’ve ever done on tour?
I once bought a massage chair at Singapore airport. I was so hungover that I needed to lie down on it for way longer than the 20 minutes trial period the shop assistant had allowed me.
And how is your new show different from previous ones? What side of Danny Bhoy might people see this time round that they hadn’t before?
It’s always different. I try to mess around with the format and subject matter on each tour to keep it interesting. Age Of Fools is more topical than I’ve ever been. But, it’s a show that everyone should enjoy, and it’s ultimately an optimistic show for these dark times.
