THIS week we chat with comedian and producer Luke Morris<\/p>\n
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What initially motivated you to become a comedian?<\/strong><\/p>\n I guess it was inspired by bullying. When I was young, comedians on telly just wanted to make everyone laugh. Which was the opposite to how life was. I started writing my own jokes to get through the day and eventually, many, many years later, after writing for papers and websites, I did comedy on stage. I think being a comedian is a personality trait.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How would you describe your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s sort of odd but I\u2019m a storyteller. Not a raconteur in an effortless, charming way. I\u2019m very scripted. Probably from insecurity. Whether I\u2019m showing pictures, or presenting as a character, or trying to educate in some science thing, it\u2019s all a story with crisis, events and resolution. Like everyone I started trying to mimic my favourite comics, and trying to do what I thought people wanted to hear. Ultimately the best I\u2019ve done and happiest I\u2019ve been on stage is when I write what I like.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Are there any particular themes that you like to feature in your work? <\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m still learning this part. We\u2019re all influenced by the world around us. I watch science documentaries, and read psychology books, and listen to history podcasts. So the evolution of humans and how we work is often something I talk about. It\u2019s looped within other topics, like a kale Caesar salad, but peel it away and that\u2019s what you get. Now I\u2019m increasingly drawn to things I\u2019m more personally passionate about.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How has your practice been affected by COVID? <\/strong><\/p>\n Oh massive. I stopped work completely. I tried doing online and podcasts and all kinds of things. Being alone for months on end. Sitting at home, not having humans to laugh with. It was tough. I want to get back into writing. The problem is looking at that mountain I had climbed, and thinking of all the work I did to feel confident on stage and get good at delivery, and to now climb that mountain again. It\u2019s tough. As a result I\u2019ve started managing more gigs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n