FEW PEOPLE can say that they are known the world over for being upstaged on a daily basis by a cheeky teenager made of foam.
But Britain’s premier ventriloquist Paul Zerdin has done just that, amazing audiences across the country with his hillarious voice-bending routine, including sell out shows at The Royal Variety Show, Tonight at the London Palladium and the Edinburgh Comedy Festival.
As part of a special summer tour of the UK’s top holiday resorts, Paul will be bringing his latest show Sponge Fest to the Rhyl Pavillion, and The Entertainer caught up with the master of voices ahead of his show to find out just what people can expect from his laugh-a-minute stage show.
“It’s a stand up comedy show firstly, but obviously with puppets!” Paul said.
“It’s giving a modern twist to ventriliquism. I only have the puppets for half of the show, and spend the other half talking about the fun things you can do with ventriloquism, as well as getting the audience involved.
“It’s very exciting to be out on tour, I’ve had long stints in Blackpool so am used to playing to a holiday audience, but it’ll be great to get out and about.
“I've performed all over North Wales and always enjoyed places like Prestatyn, and I havn't visited Rhyl in a long time - it’s going to be great to come back. "
Alongside his reputation as one of the world’s elite ventriloquists, Paul is equally well known for his cast of puppets, who have made countless TV appearances ranging from childrens entertainment programmes to commercials for cars and groceries.
“There’s Sam who is just becoming a teenager, his grandfather Albert who is senile and a bit deaf, and well as his baby brother, who looks up to Sam and is lead astray a little bit.
“My favourite changes all the time, at the moment it’s Albert. He’s getting on and going deaf, but you can have great fun with that. My dad’s started going a bit deaf as well, and it’s great to use things that happen in real life. Obviously, being deaf isn’t funny, but it can bring some good situations for comedy!"
Paul got his big break after winning the hit ITV show The Big Big Talent Show, having already built a reputation as one of the country’s top young magicians and a childrens TV presenter.
Fifteen years and a meteoric rise to the top of the entertainment world later, Paul is now booked to perform at venues across the globe, but says he has no special routines for keeping his voice in shape.
“I’m not really someone who has any particular preperations, I just try to look after myself and stay in shape. I quit smoking to look after my voice, but I don’t stand infront of the mirror doing weird stretches or anything. "
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Sponge Fest comes to the Rhyl Pavillion on Tuesday, August 16, with the show starting ay 7.30pm. For tickets or more information, contact the Rhyl Pavillion box office on 01745 33 00 00, or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk