Culture Writer Ilina Jha interviews Tom Ward to commence his UK tour Anthem
For readers who may be unfamiliar with your work, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hello, I’m Tom Ward, a stand-up comedian and voice-over artist from London. I have done over 3000 gigs, including Live at The Apollo and Roast Battle and narrated documentaries about abandoned buildings and celebrity killers. I use my voice to do my comedy and my comedy to do voices.
I’m always looking for that fluid feel so you can’t hear the machinery creaking
You first performed Anthem at the Edinburgh Fringe. How has the show evolved since then?
A line here, a line there, some bits taken out that weren’t earning their place, a little tightening of the bolts. I’m always looking for that fluid feel so you can’t hear the machinery creaking.
You’ve supported other touring acts before, but this is your first very own UK tour – a milestone for any comedian. How does it feel?
I love it. The nerves are different because the emphasis is so much bigger. On a mixed bill at a comedy club, you’re a part of the gig; at your own show, it’s all on you. But the buzz is insane.
Have your first five shows gone as you expected? Have there been any memorable moments?
They’ve gone better than expected. Playing to people that are there to see you is so different to playing to casual observers sampling you on a mixed bill. That they have preconceptions and anticipation and first-hand experience of you before you arrive makes it feel like arriving at a party of people who all want to see you. Who wouldn’t want that? Plus, I can leave after an hour, which is how long I last at most parties. A standing ovation in Brighton was the highlight so far.
What inspired you to pursue comedy, and who are your comedy heroes?
Being booted out of my band. I was the singer and relations had got strained. I thought they were going to kick out the drummer but they chose me. Probably fair. I’m not a team player. I needed to get back on stage but music wasn’t happening. I fell out of love with it after years trying to become Bono. Comedy felt like the hyper intense environment I needed. Ben Elton, Bill Hicks and Eddie Izzard were the first comics to get me excited.
A brisk stroll through new love, sex in your 30’s, house-shares, music, identity politics and green washing.
Can we talk about your hair for a moment? You’ve brought it up yourself on stage, it’s been roasted by Darren Harriott, and Jimmy Carr even gave you a (sort of) compliment related to it: ‘I think you look like a sexy dinner lady’. What is it you like about the hairstyle? And do you deliberately style it that way for comic effect?
I have to bring it up on stage or else people are visibly uncomfortable for the whole gig, or someone will shout out something (“Nice wig!” etc.). I’ve had a version of it since before comedy. It’s my way of communing with my gods, The Stone Roses, Blur, early Kings of Leon, Anne Robinson… I look like an arrogant wanker with my hair up, and far too good looking for comedy. So, it’s staying like this till I go bald.
As you know, this interview is going in Redbrick, the University of Birmingham’s student newspaper. Were you ever a university student yourself?
I wasn’t. I dropped out of college like a loser (or cool rebel depending on your attitude to education and its correlation with brains). I respect anyone that can jump from the misery of school to the new and improved misery of being 19, 20, 21 and STILL having lessons and essays to do amidst the private hell of burgeoning adulthood. Not for me. I just had to get into the service industry.
Finally, what can audiences expect from your show Anthem?
A brisk stroll through new love, sex in your 30’s, house-shares, music, identity politics and green washing. Peppered with sound FX and the odd song.
Enjoyed this? Read more Redbrick Culture here!
Preview: An Evening of Music and Dance with Birmingham Royal Ballet; The Royal Ballet Sinfonia
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