He has recently enjoyed a hit 26-night sell-out run at The Fringeworld Festival in Perth, Western Australia.
But as Scotland’s ‘Godfather of Comedy’ Raymond Mearns embarks on his first Scottish solo tour in a decade, he is delighted to be back on home turf.
This spring and summer, the international compere and headline act is touring with his brand new solo show “Confessions of a Control Freak!”
And the tour, which launches on March 29 in his home town at the prestigious Glasgow International Comedy Festival, is bringing him to Dundee’s Gardyne Theatre on April 6 and The Venue in Perth on June 8.
“The Australians went daft for the show,” Raymond said. “A mix of locals and ex-pats that wanted a flavour of back home.
“Though, as much as I loved being out there, I’m glad to be back. They might have the sunshine but they can keep their beasties!”
Raymond said he had the ‘joys’ of being stung by an Australian Bull Ant. He described it as “massive” – and the pain was “excruciating”.
“You can still see the pock mark four weeks later,” he laughed.
“It must have been hanging about inside the leg of my breeks, no lease, no tenancy agreement – there it was living rent free down my trousers and I’d clearly done something to upset it!”
However, Raymond says he’s much more adept at dealing with the Scottish midge.
“This is my first tour in a decade,” he added. “Not that I’ve not been out gigging – I have, constantly!
“I’m usually in comedy clubs across the UK and sometimes abroad. I haven’t quite had the time so I decided to indulge my ego and go solo for the first time in ages and get out and about to some of my favourite towns and theatres and give them the full unadulterated Raymond Mearns experience.”
Known for his home-grown humour – musing on life and love and laying it on thick with the laughs – he is known by listeners of BBC Radio Scotland’s hit show “Breaking the News” for his sharp and funny topical takes on current affairs and to other comics who see him simply as Mearnsy, Scotland’s Godfather of Comedy.
Raymond has built up a reputation for his performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
However, as well as clocking up over 20 years on the stand-up circuit, he has also been a regular face on TV including the BBC’s Limmy’s show, Legit’, Rab C Nesbitt, River City and the The Live Floor Show.
Additionally, Raymond has appeared in a number of films, most notably “Ae Fond Kiss” and “It’s a Free World” directed by the legendary Ken Loach.
Other notable films include Doors Open alongside Stephen Fry in 2013 and Home BAFTA best short in 1999.
Raymond will also be appearing in the new Film 4 feature Limbo in 2019 directed by Ben Sharrock.
*Raymond Mearns On Tour, Gardyne Theatre, Dundee, April 6
www.raymondmearns.com
