Bill Bailey comes Hallam

FOR a man who has mocked many a muso over the years it could be said Bill Bailey is heading into the lion's den next month.

A treasure trove of television appearances on the likes of QI, the double BAFTA-winning Black Books and, of course, Never Mind The Buzzcocks has upped his stock to the extent he is playing Sheffield's biggest indoor venue with his Tinselworm show on November 14.

The Hallam FM Arena setting for this stop on his first tour in three years seems a tad cold and corporate for an entertainer we're used to seeing ramble for his unorthodox laughs.

Then Mr Bailey is a lot more organised than you might expect.

"It takes that long to get the thing up and running," he gives by way of explanation of the three-year gap. "Once you've done a tour and recorded a DVD and taken the show to the West End that's a year gone, and then you have a break."

Also in that period Bill has been setting aside time to spend with his young son. He was only a few months old when Bill started his previous tour. Add that to the increasing telly workload and putting together his own live show proved something of a test.

"I always find it such a long process," he says of the writing. "That said, you get to get an idea through years of writing experience and performing comedy so hopefully you are in the right ballpark; you know you are in the country of funny, it's just a case of finding the hotel.

"Then there's audience reaction, trying stuff out in different environments, clubs and theatres and lots of other kinds of gigs.

"Maybe other comedians find it quicker than I do, but I have to find a routine. Sometimes things will happen, you see people in cars and wonder what is happening in their lives, or on a night a spark from something someone has said will take the show in another direction. So there's no substitute for doing it live."

And for his Madonna-sized venue this time around, Bill has acquired a Madonna-style cotton bud microphone.

"It takes a while to get used to. I haven't got a mic stand. For stand up they are fine but I play instruments and a keyboard so it gets in the way a bit. For years I have used a mic and stand and it's a crutch, a prop – you lean on it and take the mic off and play with it. You do stuff with the stand.

"Visually it has become an iconic image; the spotlight and stand."

Tickets, priced 25 (subject to booking fee) are available via www.hallamfmarena.co.uk, in person at the venue or through the credit card hotline on 0114 256 56 56.

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