Award-winning stand-up is gearing up for a visit, but first there’s a ‘significant birthday’ trip to Ibiza
“Hull’s worth making the effort to come over the Humber Bridge for.” So says award-winning comedian Russell Kane, who will be taking in the city during his latest tour, HyperActive.
The comedian, who is also a presenter, actor and author with two new children’s books in the pipeline, said: “I’ve been to Hull loads, so many times, wearing different hats. Sometimes with a theatrical slant, sometimes for stand-up.”
In the past, Russell has appeared “all over” in the city, from Hull Truck Theatre and the University of Hull to Hull City Hall and a comedy festival at what was the Hallmark Hotel, at North Ferriby. To be heading this way again, therefore, is something that the TV and radio regular is relishing.
He is due to perform at the Connexin Live arena on Sunday, October 12. “I was writing a travel book encouraging people to explore those lesser known places – everyone always wants to go to York or to the Cotswolds – and Hull was one of those unexplored places.”
The Enfield-born entertainer recalls arriving in the city and “smelling chocolate”, from the days when the aroma was pumped into the atmosphere by the British Cocoa Mills on the banks of the River Hull. With everything he has said about the “lovely people” and the interesting geographical quirks of a city that’s at the end of a railway line, it is not likely to be in for a “Kaneing”, then, as his popular, topical online rants are known, this autumn.
Promoters of his tour have promised it will be “nothing short of explosive”. They said Hyperactive will be a “full-body, full-throttle performance that blends sociological observation, improvisation, and hilarious personal storytelling.
“Fans can expect Russell’s signature tales of family life, class confusion, and high-octane hilarity, all delivered with the kind of kinetic energy that could power a small city. And the only warning for audiences? Wear strong underwear. Pants will be spoiled.”
With all that trademark “FitBit-breaking energy” that razor-sharp Russell uses to engage his audiences, he needs proper downtime – something he says he never gets enough of – and it is no wonder he enjoys a spell of being “in my own bed, waking up in my own home and getting to sleep in my own bed the next night as well”.
He said: “It is three-and-a-half weeks since I experienced that. I just love being in my jim-jams, being at home, cooking… I’m really good at unwinding.”
However, Russell, who many viewers will know from multiple TV appearances, from The One Show and Live at the Apollo to Antiques Road Trip and Stupid Man, Smart Phone, can party hard too. It is something he intends to do in just a few days’ time when a significant birthday arrives.
“I’ve already had all the family round – my wife’s Northern so it’s ‘we’ll all come round, make cakes’ – and I’m flying off for two weeks to Ibiza. I’m going with my wife and daughter, my mother-in-law and father-in-law.
“There’s a super-club in Ibiza called UNVRS, and Eric Prydz is performing on August 19, which is my 50th birthday. He’s on at 3am, I was born at 2am, so I will be there dancing my a**e off.”
Going forwards, after this unprecedented fourth leg of his tour, Russell is looking forward to more episodes of his chart-smashing BBC Radio 4 / BBC Sounds podcast show Evil Genius. “I love, love, love doing that,” he said.
“The workload for it is insane.” He said there would hopefully be more radio commissions, TV panel shows such as QI, and a “little ITV project with Sian Welby”. “I can’t say more about it but it should be lots of fun.
“I’d also love to get some acting in next year. I am going to find someone willing to put me in Shakespeare – who knows, I could be appearing in the Merchant of Hull!”
Tickets for Russell Kane in HyperActive are on sale now and available from Connexin Live and russellkane.co.uk