Alwin Solanky
Published: Tuesday 18th February 2025
One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate.
This week that funny person is Alwin Solanky, who heads to the Leicester Comedy Festival this Sunday for the traditional Weirdos Weekend at Duffy's Bar. Although this year that inventive collective staged several shows the previous weekend too, just to confuse things. They should just start a whole festival really. Weirdstock? Weirdopalooza? Weirdneress? Something like that.
Anyway, Solanky brings a uniquely wise weirdness to Sunday lunchtime with That Which Does Not Exist. "This show is about belonging and what it means," he says. "It comes from a dark place in my life and is about building more together. And a positive outlook."
The show that he built does now exist - well, nearly - so there's one big positive. But right now, Alwin Solanky, your Random 8 await.
What was your childhood career dream?
To be an astronaut and go into space. I'm still a sci-fi geek.
Do you have a favourite device?
I like my Titanium 35mm SLR camera, bought soon after I got my first full-time job and just before digital cameras became widespread. I don't really use it much anymore but have a great fondness for it.
The camera is made from titanium and is light and sturdy so I could hold it up for longer. Once I was mistaken for an official photographer and was asked to take loads of photos. Then the real photographer turned up and asked me to leave.
Ever gatecrashed anything interesting?
During Covid I accidentally gatecrashed a Socialist Worker Zoom AGM. Someone I knew sent me the wrong link. I just shouted 'Comrade!' a lot.
What's the best or worst book you've ever read?
Best: Out of Africa - Karen Blixen. The way she wrote, East Africa just jumped off the page and you can tell she loved the place.
Worst: The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins. Not because I'm religious but essentially it's a really poor argument. It equated in my mind that Dawkins was really saying that we should get rid of religion because - like in football we have football hooligans so we should ban football - we should ban religion because we get religious fanatics.
Coming from the author of The Selfish Gene which is an excellent argument, it's very poor.
What's your favourite bit of furniture, ever?
My grandmother was under five foot and had a small armchair which was so comfortable - but hard to get up from.
Who's the most interesting person you've ever met?
Very fortunate to have met Jane Goodall and talk to her about conservation and ape intelligence. Also was really amazed by her lack of cynicism and hope for the future.
Ever walked out of a film, before the end?
Jurassic Park 3. At the bit when a character explained about the acquisition of Tyrannosaurus Rex urine. As a scientist and with a qualification in Animal Behaviour, I thought 'they are reptiles and their physiology is about maximum retention of water and they are NOT going to lose it like mammals as a byproduct of metabolism...'
What's the weirdest thing in your wardrobe?
I have a short all-in-one matador outfit which I never used for my first hour show. Anyone want it?
Alwin Solanky: That Which Does Not Exist is at Duffy's Bar, Leicester on Sunday February 23.
Tickets
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