Interview: Geoff Norcott on ‘Conswervative’

Comic Geoff Norcott brings his new show Conswervative to the Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken this month.

A Trade Unionist’s son who grew up on a council estate, Norcott (who supported Katherine Ryan on her recent UK tour) is wondering how he ended up leaning to the right.

However, in the last 12 months, defending his light blue sympathies has become the least of Geoff’s problems. From having to justify his Leave vote to distancing himself from the rise of the sinister ‘alt-right’, Geoff is fire-fighting by turning his satirical eye on the hysteria and hypocrisies of the British liberal left.

In Conswervative, Geoff comes to terms with being a class traitor while also taking uncompromising stances on issues ranging from depression, benefit fraud and the maudlin British obsession with the NHS.

So, Geoff, how did you end up leaning to the right?
A combination of life experiences, really. I took different things from growing up on a council estate. Though to be fair that estate was in Wimbledon. The kids had knives – but it was only to cut fruit for the Pimms.

“the hysteria and hypocrisies of the British liberal left”… But the left stands for humanity, social and global compassion, free movement of people, empathy for those less fortunate than us. You on the right can’t boast the same, surely?
Yeah, but none of that matters when it comes to funding. If virtue-signalling raised money, Jeremy Corbyn would rule Britain for the next 20 years. Right wingers care too: they just realise that a strong economy does more for people than a hashtag.

How is our obsession with the NHS (surely one of the greatest and most compassionate things we’ve ever done) ‘maudlin’?
Loving the NHS is noble, however if you really love it you should consider radical change to ensure its survival. I think we should start with advertising on doctors’ clothes. We pay for those costs, so why not get them decked out in branding like Formula 1 drivers?

How do your politics go down in the stand-up community? Most comics lean to the left… does this make for some good lively debates?
Comics have been cool with me so I try not to be a dick about it as I’m operating behind cultural enemy lines. The main stick I get off them is that I’m making it up to get on telly. That I’m not really a Lib Dem. I mean Tory…not really a Tory. Shit.

Would you say you see the world slightly differently (and find slightly different things to make comedy from) than the majority, left-leaning comics?
I think so. To get laughs without seeming mean, I often talk about personal responsibility – a Tory obsession. People are always better off owning their actions rather than blaming someone else. We’ve all got that friend who says they’re ‘unlucky with men’ but keeps meeting blokes outside prison.

I’m feeling very gloomy about Brexit. Cheer me up, please?
It’s going to be fine. We’re going to have bi-lateral trade agreements with Papua New Guinea and you can still travel to the Falklands, visa-free. What’s to fear?

Geoff Norcott: Conswervative Friday, March 24, Comedy Box at the Hen & Chicken. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.thecomedybox.co.uk/site/301.asp?catID=1490&ct=date