“I joined the student theatre in Bergen as a way to try to get over stage fright, and that eventually led to me trying standup,” starts Norwegian comedian Daniel Simonsen. “I think the Norwegian comedy scene is very good. It’s small but there’s lots of talent and many people I know can make a decent living from it there. I’m not completely part of the whole scene as I kind of started for full in London but I perform in my hometown of Bergen a few times a year.”
For those unfamiliar with Simonsen’s work, his deadpan self-deprecating style has won him rave reviews and awards for his appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Since then, he’s had his own miniseries, toured with Simon Amstell, and had a reoccurring role on the Vic and Bob sitcom House Of Fools as Erik.
What similarities are there between British and Norwegian comedy? “It’s hard to tell but I think it’s slightly different. Maybe the standup is a bit more gag-based in the UK. But British comedy is very popular in Norway. They would show all your comedy shows on TV like everything from Monty Python, The Office or Da Ali G Show. In general, I think Norwegians have a great sense of humour. Growing up we would always joke and laugh a lot out in the streets.”
“It’s a mix of new and old stuff for a show I’m doing at The Camden Fringe in London in August,” he says about his new show. “At least for now that’s what I think it will be. There seems to be a lot of stuff relating to teenage years. So, everything from skateboarding to people trying to avoid swimming because they are not stoked on their own bodies. Usually, something has to happen and then I talk about it on stage.
“So life and the world around me inspires me. I also find watching great artists in any art form highly inspiring. Currently improvisation plays quite a big part in the show. I used to be very stuck on the wording but lately I’ve been trying to work it out more on my feet.”
Daniel Simonsen, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Mon 31 July. Tickets: £6. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org
words LUKE OWAIN BOULT