Danny Bhoy Interview

Our favourite Indian-Scottish comedian talks Aussie accents, meeting The Krankies and returning to Sydney this October.

Hi Danny, how’s life treating you?
Very well thank you. And may I commend you on the most cordial opening to an interview I have ever had. Bravo!

You’re welcome! We’re so pleased to hear you’re retuning to Australia; can you tell us a little bit about Please Untick This Box? What’s the inspiration behind the name and what sort of subjects will you be covering?
The main inspiration behind the title was the fact that I had a deadline in which to submit a title in order to reach the main brochure drop for the forthcoming season of shows in any given theatre. I am currently talking about elections, religion and birds. Yes, you’re right – it is quite hard to tie those in together.

Previously, you’ve touched on the Australian accent and Australians moving to London; how will you be putting a local touch on it this time around?
To be honest, I’m a little embarrassed when I think back to my over-relience on accents in previous
stand up shows. I think this is a more grown up show. I haven’t grown up. Not a bit. But the material has definitely started to reflect more who I want to be, and what I want to say, rather than who I really am.

You’ve previously picked up on Australia’s overuse of the term bizarre, but what’s the most bizarre thing that’s happened to you whilst touring in Oz?
I met The Krankies backstage after a show I did on the Gold Coast.

You’ve previously joked about being the Common Wealth comedian – is there a big difference between how you approach shows in the UK as to in Canada, Australia or NZ?
Not really. Obviously there are some cultural references that you have to change in order for the joke to work. I once spent the first 3 shows I did in New York wondering why a punchline wasn’t hitting home. Then I changed ‘trousers’ to ‘pants’ and it got a big laugh. I took off my pants.

You’re breaking up the tour with Sydney in October and then elsewhere in Australia in 2016; what are you up to in between?
I am going home. I could have stayed out in Australia over Christmas, but they have Christmas on the beach in piping hot temperatures, which is not what the baby Jesus would have wanted.

Being a rather well-travelled comedian, have you discovered anything in Australia off of the beaten track in between shows?
There is a phenomenal winery somewhere on the outskirts of Kyneton in regional Victoria. But I can’t remember what it’s called. Also, hidden away just off a side track in, I think, the Northern Territory, is a kind of large rock that changes colour during the course of the day. I don’t want to say anymore than that, because I don’t want it to get flooded with tourists, but it’s quite the rock.

Anything you haven’t ticked off your list in Oz yet? What would you like to get up to this time around?
I am thinking I might do the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb this time around. I’m not very good with heights, but I feel like I should give it a crack. I reckon it’s probably one of those things you just
need to have a few beers and tackle it on your own…

For tickets and more information on Danny Bhoy’s shows, head to www.justforlaughssydney.com