“JUST make something up, make me sound more interesting than I am,” jokes a hungover Doug Stanhope, who is supposed to be plugging his show at the Waterside next month.
The outrageous award-winning American comedian is a big coup for Aylesbury – on his website the tour dates read San Diego, San Francisco then Aylesbury (UK).
This is a man who, during a previous British tour, phoned his sick mum while on stage to ask if she was dead yet.
When I ask him what theatregoers can expect this time, he said: “I don’t have the slightest idea, I don’t have the capacity to plan ahead. I’m guessing there will be a lot of negativity, yelling and drunkenness.”
His new tour coincides with the release of his tenth DVD, called Before Turning the Gun on Himself.
The blurb sent out to promote the tour claims it will ‘offer a potent double dose of the abrasive, brutally honest brand of stand-up comedy that has established him as a one-of-a-kind phenomenon’.
He tells me: “It will be just over an hour, that is what I plan for, unless I get too drunk and ramble on longer.”
For those who have not heard of the man who Ricky Gervais says ‘might be the most important stand-up working today’, Stanhope urges caution before buying a ticket.
“At this point you probably shouldn’t – they shouldn’t just walk in on a lark. They should take a few minutes and look me up on YouTube.”
The controversial no-holds-barred comedian has little respect for moral or social boundaries. In the past he has come out with comments like ‘If you really believe that death leads to eternal bliss, then why are you wearing a seatbelt?’
Theatregoes can expect to hear his take on the latest news during the show. “You are always hoping for a new Charlie Sheen, something unique to brighten up your day,” he jokes.
But Stanhope admits it is often hard trying to find new material to talk about on stage.
“I’m always hoping there is some issue out there, but after the last 21 years you feel like you have said everything in the world at least once,” he reflects.
Stanhope’s comedy career began in 1990. Since then he has won countless awards and appeared in a variety of comedy shows and released nine albums.
Stanhope’s new album is due to be released in March. The DVD version of the album will be available later in the year. Tracks include Dr Drew Is To Medicine What David Blaine Is To Science and Keynesian Economic Theory As Applied To Private-Sector Independent Contracting.
> Doug Stanhope performs at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on March 7 (recommended for those aged 18 and above). {http://www.atgtickets.com/venue/Aylesbury-Waterside-Theatre/128|For details visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury|Click here for more}