“We’re going to try to take the best bits from our podcast and expand on them,” says comedian Elis James when asked about what audiences can expect from his joint live show with friend and Radio X co-presenter John Robins. “We have quite a good handle on which features from the show have resonated most with the audiences, because there’s a big Facebook group for the listeners of the podcast. We’re going to set each other up a fair bit, but a lot of it will be made up on the night, so hopefully every show will be different.”
Is Elis more concerned with making sure this tour resonates with existing fans of the radio and podcast shows than he is with winning over new fans that perhaps aren’t as familiar with his work in those mediums? “No, I don’t think so. One of the things I’ve learnt from doing stand-up is you’ve got to be accessible. When you do stand-up, you turn up 5 or 6 nights a week in different venues, in different towns, and you don’t know what you’re going to be met with or what to expect.”
What it is that makes the chemistry between Elis and John work so well? “The great thing about doing a radio show with your mate is that you know you’re never going to be left hanging, and that, if one of you dries up, the other one definitely won’t. You’ve got this safety net when you’re performing with a friend who’s also a comedian you trust. I find John really funny, which is why it’s such a laugh; every Saturday he says something that makes me howl with laughter.”
Is there a particular venue Elis is looking forward to playing most on the tour? “I love the Cardiff Glee, it’s my favourite club in the country to play. And the Swansea Grand holds very special memories for me, because I used to go and watch pantomimes and stuff there when I was around nine or ten. I’ve got lots of family and friends coming to those gigs as well, so it’s sort of a return to home.”
The Elis James and John Robins Experience, Glee Club, Cardiff, Wed 12 Oct. Tickets: £17.50; Swansea Grand Theatre, Thurs 13 Oct. Tickets: £18.00. Info: www.elisandjohn.com
words JACOB MIER