Comedy / stand up comedy
Colin Hoult: ‘I find it more exhausting to be myself than a character’
After years of playing characters, including Nottingham’s finest, Andy Parker, and the inimitable ‘has-been actress’ Anna Mann, acclaimed actor, standup and writer Colin Hoult is finally on tour as himself.
Stripping away the layers of artifice whilst acknowledging that ‘whilst you can take the man out of character, you can’t take the character out of the man’, Colin is a warm and joyous comedic exploration of Hoult’s upbringing, told through a wealth of comic snapshot act-outs.
He questions the ways in which as a parent, he might avoid the complicated mistakes of his predecessors – not least those of his own father (also called Colin), and his enduring quest towards being a ‘proper bloke’.
is needed now More than ever
Colin Hoult – photo: Ed Moore
Whilst on this journey towards self-discovery, Hoult touches on his working-class roots, Christmas memories, gorillas and Ouija boards, speculating on the likely undiagnosed neurodiversity within his family, and how it may have shaped their experience.
Ahead of his performance at The Wardrobe Theatre on October 31, he shared some insights about the evolution of Colin.
What does this show mean to you?
“This show is the first time I’m appearing as myself really, talking about my family and telling my stories. It meant a lot to try and get it right whilst keeping it as funny as I could. I’m not just trying to tell the story of my childhood but to try and relate it to my own kids. So it means a lot to me.”
Colin Hoult – photo: Ed Moore
How are you feeling about stepping on stage as Colin, rather than Anna – have you been able to leave her in the wings?
“Well it turns out that Anna is a part of me and always will be. I tried at first to be as different from her as I could but that camp, enthused and silly way of talking to crowds is a useful thing for a show. I like Anna a lot, even though I made her up and I’ve come to accept she’s in there somewhere which helps me to like myself. “
In terms of writing and performing, how different an experience has this show proved to be?
“Writing-wise it’s harder to not start from what was essentially a parody. With characters, you’re parodying something or mimicking it. For example, the last Anna show was a kind of farewell cabaret life story, whereas Colin is just my story; there wasn’t any kind of path to follow, so I had to make one up. Performing it is often joyous and exhilarating but always feels raw and vulnerable. I find it more exhausting to be myself than a character, but luckily the audience doesn’t seem to.”
Colin Hoult – photo: Ed Moore
Do you feel more vulnerable or strengthened by sharing a more personal side of yourself on stage?
“Well I’d honestly say that vulnerability is a kind of strength. A lot of comics, myself included, develop a kind of suit of armour but ultimately that becomes boring and useless to me. I wanted the challenge of putting myself out there and I did it.
“I once read a story about a psychiatrist who went to see Richard Pryor and could have gone backstage to meet him but didn’t want to because he said he was something like ‘the most raw and defenceless person he’d ever seen’. For some weird reason I find that something to aspire to rather than run from.”
Can you sum up the ways in which a greater understanding of neurodiversity has shaped your work?
“In hundreds of ways, including my realisation that I’m always changing what I do and maybe that’s ok or I could slow down. In terms of my relationship with the audience, I accept that now they can see who I am without the various masks I’ve always been wearing. And I no longer need to people-please and impress all the time. Let them come to me more. It’s fun again!”
Colin Hoult: Colin is at The Wardrobe Theatre on October 31 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com.
All photos: Ed Moore
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