Following the first UK performance of Back in 2019, multi-talented Australian comedian Tim Minchin is, well, back again with Back Encore – the 2021 edition, coming to the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff this month. The first version marked Minchin’s return to British shores after nearly a decade’s long absence and sold out outrageously quickly. So where has Tim been all this time?

In a brutally honest op-ed for the Guardian, he dished all: “I wanted to not become an unbearable tool with a huge-tiny ego.” Seeing the “dangers ahead” in being consumed by a life of fame and excess, the performer headed off hedonism at the curb. No doubt his own health and his family thanked him for it.

That also meant going cold turkey on comedy, unfortunately. But he hasn’t been totally idle: one or two hit musicals (Matilda ring a bell?) and some TV stuff later, Tim Minchin the standup superstar is, indeed, back doing his twisted cabaret schtick because “holy shit, have I missed touring.”

words HANNAH COLLINS