COMEDY: BILL BAILEY

Too short to be a wizard and too tall to be a gremlin, when you look like Bill Bailey, you might as well be a comedian. Of course it helps that he’s highly intelligent, curious, has a great feel for timing and an undeniable streak of whimsy. The man voted seventh greatest stand-up comedian of all time (by Channel 4, UK) is once again gracing our shores, with the ponderously titled Tinselworm.

A performer from an early age, Bailey played in school rock bands such as The Famous Five and Behind Closed Doors, where his earnest fellow musicians found his urge to lampoon at odds with their very serious music.

Bailey worked as a busker and lounge pianist before joining the comedy club circuit. His unique fusion of music and humour was first noted as stand-up brilliance at the 1995 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where his one-man show Cosmic Jam earned him a Critics Award. He was then let loose on his own television show, Is it Bill Bailey?

Bailey has since had a prolific television career, but is probably best known from the series Black Books. He played genial hippy Manny Bianco, alongside Dylan Moran’s misanthropic, alcoholic book-store owner Bernard Black.

More recently, Bailey hosted a wildlife preservation series titled Wild Thing I Love You, (as yet unscreened here). Bailey’s fascination with the evolutionary status of the otter, as well as the show’s irreverent title, might give the uninitiated some idea of his quirky style and widespread interests. He has presented documentaries on Prog rock, Stonehenge, and endangered jaguars, and is also an accomplished player of the theramin.

Playing six nights at the State Theatre, Tinselworm will be a great chance to catch the bearded wonder live in action. Bailey toys with topics such as emo culture, the God Particle and direct marketing, all with his usual mix of musical and mental adventurousness.

Bill Bailey – Tinselworm
September 15-20
State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney
Tickets: $79.90, www.ticketmaster.com.au