Straight-talking Rich Hall revels in being a grouch.

The comedian, who has won both a Perrier (Edinburgh Comedy Festival) and a Barry (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) Award, sends up whichever country he is in, but reserves his most trenchant scorn for his native USA.

This weekend, Rich, who was the inspiration for cantankerous barman Moe Szyslak in The Simpsons, brings his deadpan humour back to Kent.

We caught up with him for a quick chat ahead on Sunday's show...

You’re an actor and the author of three books but what do you love about stand-up?

In every single show, there are always two or three moments where I’m thinking, ‘Wow, where did that come from?’ You’re constantly thinking on your feet. I love being on stage. I love the fact that when a live show is over, it’s gone. It’s happened and it will never happen like that again. It can’t be replicated. That’s a great magical moment. For me being on stage is the most satisfying thing imaginable.

You go out of your way to find out about the town you’re playing in and improvise a song on stage about it. That’s a lot of effort to go to. Why?

I try to tap into what is happening locally and address that musically by writing an improvised song based on the town I’m in. Once they realise you’re not just trotting out your regular act, people think, ‘He’s made a real effort. He’s on our side, so we’re on his side.” Then you can take them anywhere. I like to do something custom-made every night, otherwise you would just be like a robot.

You’ve enjoyed success as your country and western musician alter ego, Otis Lee Crenshaw – how important is music to your act?

When you’re improvising a song, you think, ‘I may never do this on again, but it’s a special moment for everyone here’. You want to reach the point where audiences say, ‘I’d like to see that guy again’. You want to deliver the goods and be Old Reliable. I will have such a great collection of musicians on stage for the Hoedown. Having a band there makes it a much richer experience – if you’ll pardon the phrase! A custom-made song engages people. The magic is more important than the material. People really respond to that.

Your trademark is anger – how do you use it on stage?

It is always good to articulate anger. If you don’t, you’re merely preaching to the converted and asking, ‘Have you ever noticed?’ ‘Yes, we are paying you to notice things we haven’t already noticed!’

TOUR DETAILS

Rich Hall’s Hoedown will be at the Woodville, Gravesend on Sunday, May 7. To book tickets at £18.50 visit woodville.seatlive.com

He will then be at the Theatre Royal, Margate on Thursday, June 1. For tickets from £15 visit theatreroyalmargate.com or call 01843 292795.