As he takes Australia by story, WHO chatted to comedian Bill Bailey about his new DVD Limboland, why comedy is the medicine the world needs…
And will we ever get a Black Books reboot.
How have you found your time in Australia?
I love it here! I’ve been coming here on and off for 20 years.
It is almost a second home. It’s the first place I performed overseas when I first started. I used to come yearly back in the day. The audiences are quite similar.
We have the same skepticism and mischievous nature.
Tell me a bit about the DVD?
Limboland was a show I toured around Australia and around the world. And then I filmed it in my backyard in west London.
It’s about how we imagine our lives and what it’s actually like.
I had this great idea that I would take my family to see the northern lights – the reality was a little different.
People falling out dog sleds etc.
What’s it like filming a show for a DVD compared to just doing a live show?
I like to treat it like it is just another gig.
With the Hammersmith – where we filmed, the cameras just fade away.
Have you seen Nanette? There’s been a shift with making comedy more current and political – are you a fan of exploring dark topics this way?
Absolutely. It’s a way that we deal.
It’s a coping mechanism – it’s how we get through it, people are more perceptive to tougher subjects through comedy.
It’s a way of at least talking about something. You’re not belittling it. It sparks a conversation.
The nation is really loving the Brits at the moment – Meghan and Harry came over and they announced they were expecting here. Have you performed for any of the members?
Yes I actually flew back [from Australia] for Prince Charles’ 70th birthday. It was a mad dash.
Will there be a Black Books reboot? It’s what the people want.
You know what I’m up for it and Tamsin Greig would be too. But I think Dylan Moran would be a bit resistant to it. Hey who knows! It’s been so long since the show.
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