TGt Meets…Griff Rhys Jones, Stand-Up Comedian

Meet our latest TGt Meets...Griff Rhys Jones, a comedian who has been all over the place touring the UK this autumn with his brand new full-length stand-up show. Following sell-out performances of his previous one-man entertainments Jones and Smith and Where Was I? But he is also recently performed at the Wyvern Theatre on the 9th of November which he told us all about below.

What led you to a career in the world of comedy and was it always the plan?

No plan. My only career has been downhill. I fell into comedy by way of a pratfall. I did a sketch about a Long John Silver impersonator who kept tripping over his own crutch - and my path to a lifetimes tastelessness was set. 

You became famous as being part of Smith and Jones. Was it better sharing the journey with a comedy partner and how did you adapt after Mel Smith died?

I miss Mel. He’s looking down on me. Or probably looking up on me. And wagging an admonishing cigar. A double act is like a marriage, except the sex is better, because you go elsewhere for that. Mel always wanted to tour again. As long as I wrote the stuff. This will teach him.  A funny man. And much missed. 

What’s like performing in front of thousands of people and do you still get nervous before going on stage?

You can’t do it unless you are nervous. And if like me you make it up as you go along you can’t do it because you are nervous. After too many years struggling with the input of eight or more “executive producers” I am delighted to be able to say what I like on stage. It’s my stuff and completely unmitigated. 

What are the three rituals you always do before a show?

Well. Interesting. One, a little coffee. Two, a walk around the stage half an hour before.Three I always without fail go on stage when the show begins. Though I did do a portion of it from the dressing room in Bedford I think because I had left a prop behind and had to go off again. 

What advice would you give to people who would love to pursue the same level of success in a career in comedy?

• Get some luck
• Work with people you like
• Enjoy yourself

Who were your influences when growing up and who do you admire now?

I liked very old fashioned comics. Like Frankie Howerd. Dads Army. Al Read.  And film masters like Walter Matthau. Now I like everybody. There are brilliant comedians out there. Romesh. Both Harrys. Lee Mack. Al Murray. So many. Many are joining me in a show I am organising in Ipswich on December 3rd for the East Anglian Children’s Hospice. 

What qualities do those other comedians have that you admire?

Often a personality. And a slightly clownish, “I am a fool”,  presentation. I don’t know why really.

Have you performed in Swindon before and do you have any memories that stand out if so?

I did. I wanted a banana for energy. I went out in the town and there was some huge football event, a cup final or something, featuring those no-hopers England and every shop I tried to get into was surreptitiously closing early.  

Check out the Wyvern Theatre to see what's On.