Amos has recently published his memoir, ‘I Used To Say My Mother Was Shirley Bassey.’ Does she still tell people his mum was Shirley Bassey? “Not since my mum found out. She kissed her teeth and said ‘Stephen! You could have said Diana Ross!’”
We want to know what the best thing is about his life right now? “Doing a job I love, travelling and finding the funny in every corner of the world,” is his response. What’s the most challenging thing in his life right now? “In my life, hotel room keys clogging up my wallet, especially when I find out that taxi drivers don’t accept them as payment. In the world at large, all the humanitarian issues, with refugees being at the top of the list. It’s disheartening to see and read some people’s ill-informed opinions and the fear mongering that goes on.”
What is Amos sentimental about? “To me, being sentimental is about looking back, and I try not to do that. It’s all about seizing the day, carpe diem, which if I remember from school is Latin for seizing the day, or maybe it’s Greek. I failed them both – you can’t get sentimental about things like that.”
Welcome to my World is a show famous for your interactions with audience members: have you ever had any really hairy moments with anyone in the audience? “There was a couple near the front and, clearly referring to the man, I asked if he had bumfluff as a teenager. He shouted out ‘Don’t ask me. You should see her back. She’s Greek!’ I don’t think they’re together anymore.”
What is the hairiest moment you’ve experienced in your comedy career to date? “I was unwell and had to leave the stage half way through the show, the audience thought it was part of the show but in fact I had to throw-up backstage – I didn’t reach the toilets so it was in a pint glass. Over the years there have been moments, particularly with drunk people, saying the most outrageous obnoxious things. At a show in South West London, a full on riot broke out when an unfortunate man heckled me with the n-word. Other audience members took umbrage – chaos ensued.”
What’s the first thing you’d change about the world? “More compassion, honesty, transparency and also I’d clamp down on corruption and injustice. I’d like to make all these multi-billion pound corporations put something meaningful back into society.” What makes you angry? “All the things I want to change in the world.”
What would you be doing if not comedy? “I’d like to think I’d be a barrister. There’s something about the wigs and those gowns that just feels right.” Do your parents secretly wish you were doing something else? “My parents would like me to be a barrister but not for the same reason as above! My dad still says ‘Become a lawyer; you will never lose. If a man is guilty you’ll be paid, if a man is innocent, you’ll be paid and if a man wants to bribe you, you’ll be paid. Twice!’”
BY COLETTE DALLIMORE
Venue: Fringe Hub – Lithuanian Club, 44 Errol St, North Melbourne
Dates: September 24 – October 3
Time: 7pm
Tickets: $25 – $30
