Andy Hamilton brings his new tour, Change Management, to The Alban Arena on May 21. I spoke to him to find out more...

Tel us about Change Management.

Without change we wouldn’t be here. We’d still be single-celled organisms at the bottom of the ocean, which would be quite boring. I’ve gotten to an age where doctors use the term ‘at your age’, and I feel I have a lot of experience looking at society, so that’s what I want to talk about. Also, I chart what’s changed in society, if there indeed have been any changes, and how we cope with everything going on in the world.

What can we expect?

There will be laughter mainly, but also an intention to think about what’s been discussed in the show and hopefully cause stimulating arguments. And a story about me getting a dart in my head.

Do you prefer writing, or stand-up?
Writing is loads more work and is harder than performing. It’s hard and it takes longer. I love doing it, but it’s a nice break sometimes to just go and loon around on stage or in front of some cameras. But I count myself lucky that I’ve had the opportunites to do both.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

What can you tell us about your book Star Witness?
It’s a novel that’s both funny and serious, about a soap star who finds himself in the dock of public opinion and it’s about to come out in paperback. It’s on Unbound.com and in bookshops.

How did you get into comedy?

I was doing a revue in a disused Bovril factory and a young radio producer called Geoffrey Perkins saw it and suggested I should write comedy for a living.

If you hadn’t become a comedian, what would you be?

A very bad teacher or very drunk journalist.

Where do you get your ideas from?

Ideas sort of descend on me when I’m not looking, so they could lead me anywhere. I enjoy storytelling, and that’s it really. People always enjoy telling stories. I used to bore my family senseless when I was younger with endless anecdotes. In fact, I still do.

Who are your comedy influences?

Galton and Simpson. They wrote Hancock’s Half Hour, Steptoe and Son, and they brought the sitcom to the UK.

What else have you got going on?

As usual, I’ve got a lot of scripts out there looking for some money to make them. But I have made a podcast. It’s an in-depth documentary presented by Michael Buerck called “Inside Donald Trump”. You’ll find it on Unbound.com.

The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3LD, May 21, 7.30pm. Details: 01727 844488