Paul Currie

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Tuesday 18th July 2023

One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. This week we make the short hop to Belfast, where the mighty Paul Currie is preparing for another busy August, with a triple-header.

"I'm putting on three performances of my new show Shtoom at the prestigious Lyric Theatre on 21st and 22nd July, as previews and warm-ups for Edinburgh Fringe 2023," Currie exclaims.

"Shtoom may seem like an innocent silent clown show... it's not. It's about how humans can't communicate, and why this ends up fucking up all society on this planet. Bad communication and not talking to each other, or more importantly, listening to each other."

So Shtoom involves the comic keeping schtum, for an hour, while tackling some hefty themes.

"It's a Gilliam-esque neo-clown show that hits on many absurdist subjects from the Ukraine war, gun culture, airport security, and mental ill health to name a few, all performed without a single word spoken. Yes, there may be some noises I make but it is essentially a non-verbal show."

Which also makes it uniquely accessible, "to be enjoyed by all cultures anywhere with no language barrier," the silent clown suggests. "There's lots of music and musical references and it's a very physically demanding show where I must utilise my entire body from my eyebrows to my fingertips to convey the emotions fully."

Sounds a challenge? "I'm thoroughly looking forward to it."

And it's Belfast first. Paul Currie, your Random 8 await.

Who was your first celebrity crush - and ever met them?

Yes, I met them, in Oct 2019, they were in a glass cabinet in Brooklyn, New York. My crush was Janice from The Muppet Show. Those lips

What's the best thing you ever bought a ticket for?

Kiss at the SECC in Glasgow. The gig was a wonderful over-the-top panto of rock. I wore Peter Criss make-up like a 14 year-old fan. I was 42.

Do you have a signature dance move?

It's called the 'The Sparkle Car'. I wash an invisible Vauxhall Corsa with an imaginary soapy sponge and bucket of warm water. My fave track to do this move to is the Emmerdale theme.

Your most interesting injury?

The scar / scald on my left arm. I acquired this by inadvertently pulling an electrical lead and toppling a freshly boiled kettle, to then have the scalding water pour onto my arm. I was 11 months old. What a bellend.

The worst thing you ever ate?

A half cooked pig's ear in Portugal, 1995. I asked for an Ulster fry and the family I was staying with made me their own equivalent. It was literally a pile of random meat. I was munching on a piece of something when I realised what it was: literally a full pig's ear... lol.

What's the weirdest thing in your wardrobe?

A pair of hiking waterproof gators that are covered in dust. Never been used. And a collection of my ex-girlfriend's grandad's bowties. He was the spitting image of Ernest Hemingway. I never met him. Saw the photo, he was the SPIT of old Erny Hemzo.

Which movie would you love to have been in, and which part?

Temple Of Doom! The part I'd love to have played would be the old lady that slaps police chief Brody in the face as Marty slams his foot down on the car as the lightning strikes the clock tower as Sloth shouts "HEY YOU GUYS!!!" What a great film...

What's the very best thing you ever saw?

Everything I see is the best. However. If I was to pick one: I saw two woman on a busy daytime downtown street in New York City in October 2019.

One is walking her dog off the lead and the other says sharply "you should have that DAWG on a lead" and the other without hesitation scream-yells at her "MIND YOUR OWN GAWD DAMN FOCKIN BUSINESS" in the thickest NY accent and they both immediately walk their separate ways, as if it was rehearsed.

I felt like I was in a real life movie. I laughed for ages.