Transition is the subject of comedian and writer Andy Hamilton’s stand-up tour, Change Management.

Andy is the award-winning co-creator of some of the funniest shows on TV. Loved for his dry, droll humour he is also a regular on shows such as Have I Got News For You and QI.
Other credits over the years include Old Harry’s Game on Radio 4 and he’s a regular guest on the station’s hugely popular I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue.

Andy is also the voice of Dr Elephant, the dentist in the children’s show Peppa Pig.

Outnumbered was a fantastic show to work on...
I loved it. It was scripted but for the kids, we used to tell them the scene beforehand and then they would say it in their own words. It gave it a naturalness. We always gave the kids something to be doing too because if you’re the adult in the room that’s the thing they’re the least interested in.

I did draw on my own family experiences...
But the issues are definitely universal. I started early so my kids are now huge adults. But I could remember the early stages too.

Drop the Dead Donkey was great too...
Everyone had one person in their office like Joy (the splendidly sarcastic editorial assistant). She just told it how it is. She didn’t have any inhibition.

You’re never 100% sure what you’ve written is funny... If I find it funny my theory is that I’m a reasonable person and that I’m representative of the audience. There’s also the odd line that you think is a bit funny and people find hilarious – or of course the ones you think are hilarious and no one laughs!

I love doing QI...
You just fetch up and it’s just like talking in the pub with some mates. You just chime off one another.

I want my stand-up show to be like it’s just me at the pub, talking...
That’s what I’m aiming for. I’ve got lots of things I can talk about. I’m never short of stuff. I talk to the audience and then the second half is usually a bit different because I get ideas from them.

I talk about everything like working longer hours...
When Tomorrow’s World used to be on TV they were always showing us all the gadgets of the future that were going to save us loads of time. But none of them do! The technology doesn’t shorten the working hours at all, does it? Sometimes it makes it worse! Also sparrows – there used to be loads of sparrows ages ago. Where did they all go? I get quite excited when I see a sparrow now.

Ah, Kent...
I filmed something there once in a really strong gale. It was in Margate and we had to wrap it up so we carried on filming even though bits of equipment were flying everywhere. It was like a scene from Poltergeist.

I haven’t got a problem with my height (he’s 5ft 2in)...

People never see my legs when I’m on TV. Maybe they think I haven’t got any. My son’s friend edited my Wikipedia page saying I was in a wheelchair and so I got emails from venues asking me if I needed a ramp. If anyone at my shows in Kent look shocked when I walk on, I’ll know they believed those rumours!

SHOW DETAILS

Change Management will be at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, as part of the Canterbury Festival, on Saturday, October 24 at 7.30pm. Tickets £20 visit www.canterburyfestival.co.uk or www.marlowetheatre.com call 01227 787787.

Andy will also be at the Theatre Royal, Margate, on Wednesday, November 25 at 7.30pm. Tickets from £15 visit theatreroyalmargate.com or call 01843 292795.