The Mighty Boosh surrealist funnyman Noel Fielding is bringing his unique brand of Luxury Comedy to Tyneside and Scarborough

MOST people know Noel Fielding best as his eccentric alter ego Vince Noir from The Mighty Boosh. However, in the years since that particular hit series, Fielding has continued to bring his distinctive surreal style of comedy to the stage and screen – he is about to bring his touring show to Newcastle and Scarborough.

His latest TV programme, Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy, was set in a café on the side of a Hawaiian volcano. The eating establishment was staffed by Andy Warhol and a chocolate finger who was also a PE teacher, as well as Fielding himself, who played the straight guy to his weird and wonderful companions. This series got its best viewing figures to date, proving yet again that the British love bizarre humour.

“It was just like that with the Boosh,” says Fielding. “It was such a weird show, Julian (Barratt, his writing partner and co-star) and I thought it was pretty mental how big it had got, considering that we didn’t compromise on anything, we didn’t leave anything out, and we were doing a show about a Crack Fox and a transsexual merman with a ‘mangina’. It was pretty amazing.’

A decade after The Mighty Boosh first aired on BBC3, Fielding has established himself as an influential figure in the UK comedy scene, having already done gigs at Wembley Arena and the O2. “Last time we were on a massive tour, we went out in Marilyn Manson’s tour bus.” he says. “It became like we were in Pink Floyd or something…”

Once the Boosh reached its peak of fan mania, Barratt wanted to take a step back out of the limelight. “It got to the stage where everyone wants a picture of you, and I don’t think Julian was comfortable with that whole ‘celebrity’ thing,” explains Fielding. He, on the other hand, threw himself into the London party scene, often spotted out and about in Camden with his showbiz pals Amy Winehouse, Razorlight, and the Geldof sisters. “I’m not very good if I don’t work; I’m a bit of a workaholic and I start going out partying, doing stupid things – I get bored very easily so I have to keep stimulating my mind.

“I wanted the Boosh fans to get on board with Luxury Comedy because I feel like I lost a few of them.”

Asked about the tour, he says: “There’s live animation, which takes ages to work out how to do, live music, brand new stand up, which I’m excited about; it’s a really complicated and expensive show – I always want to put on a show that costs as much to put on as it takes in tickets!” he laughs. Fielding is excited to get out to some slightly smaller venues; “It’s more intimate, which is actually better for comedy. When you are performing at the O2, it’s so massive that the laughter takes 30 seconds to get back to you, which is weird.”

Fielding’s fans have been promised a sight of The Moon, who was his favourite character to play even before the Boosh.

“I just want people to come away thinking, ‘Wow, I really enjoyed that. If this doesn’t work, I’ve got nothin’” he laughs.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.

  • Newcastle City Hall, Friday, December 5. The Spa, Scarborough, Friday, February 6