Jane McGowan chats to comedian, Mock the Week-regular and Richmond resident Milton Jones...
Back in the mid-90s, a young Milton Jones had his mindset on becoming an actor. Instead of sitting at home and waiting for agents to call, he decided to have a go at stand-up, so the powers-that-be could see him in action
“It felt like I was more in control,” reveals the 55-year-old who is based in St Margarets. “I mean, I didn’t have to audition or wait for work, I simply phoned up a venue and booked myself.”
Sadly, or happily (depending on how you see it), the theatrical agent’s call never came, but what Milton Jones did get was an incredibly successful comedy career that is thriving almost 25 years later.
Milton, who is appearing in Richmond this month as part of his 11-month Milton Impossible tour, has seen his unique brand of deadpan, pun-based observational comedy become a real crowd-pleaser, winning a string of awards, including the much-coveted Perrier award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. And while he says he still loves the adrenalin of a live show, the preparation needed for such a long run can sometimes be daunting.
“I do tend to leave things to the last minute,” he admits. “It’s a bit like homework. But knowing hundreds of people have already bought their tickets, means you have to have something written down. When I am happy with it, I then do a few ‘test’ gigs in small venues to see which jokes work best. There are always extra bits that find their way into the set by the end. It can change by as much as 10% by the end.”
Born in Kew in 1964, Milton is still a fan of the borough and makes the most of its riverside location and plentiful green spaces.
“I run a lovely route on the tow-path – taking in Petersham Meadows and Teddington Lock. I also try to play football when I can in Marble Hill Park or the Old Deer Park but then I find myself at one of the bakeries and my all good work is undone.”
Behind Milton’s hapless, dishevelled comedic persona lies a much more thoughtful performer who takes the business of being funny very seriously.
“I am always careful to look after my voice and I try and stay fit when I am on the road,” he says. “I don’t have a rider backstage or I would eat everything in sight out of nerves. I stick to the fizzy water and I don’t eat takeaway food. I am the kind of act that brings his own Tupperware.”
For many people, their introduction to Milton Jones will have come via Mock the Week, the popular BBC2 satirical news-show that regularly features such comedians as Russel Howard, Hugh Dennis and Andy Parsons.
“We actually only film about 12 a year, but thanks to all the various repeats and channels it feels like it’s on all the time,” he says. “Each programme takes about two-and-a-half hours to film and an awful lot of stuff doesn’t make the edit. Sometimes I watch it and it looks like a different show.”
So does the comedy star still yearn for a more serious career treading the boards?
“I am very grateful for the comedy but yes, I would still love to have a go at some acting,” he says. “If I do get offered a role it tends to be the wacky next-door neighbour part. I have come to terms with the fact that Macbeth will never be an option.”
Milton Impossible is at Richmond Theatre on Mar 28-29; for tickets, visit: miltonjones.com