10 Questions: An interview with Howard Read (Big Howard)
Today our spotlight falls on writer and comedy performer, Howard Read, the inspiration behind the comedy duo Big Howard and Little Howard. Big Howard and Little Howard are on at the Udderbelly at the Brighton Fringe on the 16th and 18th May at 4.00 pm.
This is wonderfully innovative comedy, so in-tune with the times. Big and Little Howard have just been commissioned to write and star in a 13 part series for Children’s BBC (CBBC). So lets talk to Big Howard first and learn more about him and their stand-up, 3D animation show…
1. What inspired you to become a writer and comedy performer?
Money. It hasn’t worked out, as, for a long time, I haven’t had any of it. Also ladies, but the same is true of that. I mainly started because people were sick of me showing off at home.
2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show?
My show is about Little Howard (the world’s first interactive, animated stand-up comedian) finding out that I have a real son, as well as an imaginary one. I spend the rest of the show trying to make him feel better, with disastrous consequences.
The audience can expect lots of jokes, as many as we can for both kids and adults, some members of the audience being drawn and turned into cartoon characters and 3D Little Howard, literally in your face (or appearing to be very close to your face, at least).
3. What is your favourite Festival or Fringe and why?
It’s a close tie between The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, because it’s huge and all my friends are in one place for a whole month, and The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, because it’s in Melbourne, and because you don’t loose loads of money! Brighton’s very nice but I only know a few people in Brighton, they don’t have Kangaroos and you don’t get as much money.
4. What’s your best advice for aspiring comedy writers and performers on the Festival/Fringe circuit?
Give it all you’ve got, gig every night, but if it’s not worked by now, get a proper job.
5. What is your funniest experience and also your worst experience performing or attending a Fringe/Festival?
My worst Fringe experience is also one of the funniest. I was finishing a show at a venue at the top of a flight of stairs. One audience member left during the curtain call. A couple of seconds afterwards we discovered she’d left in order to throw-up all down the stairs. The venue staff wouldn’t let the audience leave until it had been cleaned up, for health and safety reasons.
6. As you travel performing to different festivals/fringes, where is your favourite place to vacation and chill out and why?
Anywhere as far away from the festival as you can get. I love performing my shows, but when it’s my day off I really want a proper day off from everything to do with comedy, and reviews, and promoting shows and fliers and everything.
I often to to North Berwick when I’ve got a day off from Edinburgh. Last year I went to my brother’s wedding in Norfolk during the first weekend of the festival. Before I went I was really annoyed about having to take the time off, but when it happened it was the best two days off I’ve ever had. As a performer you spend your whole time thinking about yourself. It’s nice to have a break from that.
In Melbourne I like to drive down the Great Ocean Road. In Aspen I went to Sugar Loaf, down the road, and did a bit of skiing.
I’m in New Zealand at the moment, I’ve just finished a run of shows in Auckland and tomorrow I’m heading to the South Island with my wife and son to drive a camper van around the Fjords. If I have a run of shows in Brighton I go along the coast to New Milton and visit my gran. She’s 100!
Basically I get as far away as possible, that way I enjoy the festival more when I get back.
7. Who is the person you most admire and why?
Billy Connolly. He’s not my favorite comedian, but he’s being going for years and years and he’s never stopped being funny. Eric Morcambe for a similar reason. Spike Milligan, because he never stopped experimenting.
8. What is the best tip you have ever been given?
“Gig. Lots” It’s the tip comics always give to new comics, and it’s the only sure-fire piece of advice worth taking when you’re starting out.
9. What is the best book you have read?
Lord Jim, by Joseph Conrad. I can’t remember why it was brilliant, but it was. If I read it again I probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much, so I’m not going to read it again.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
If I could make everyone have to tidy up after themselves that’d be great. That includes tidying up after cooking, starting a war, or being a bad parent and messing up your kid.
