Viz creator Simon Donald to appear at stand-up comedy night at M Club, Crewe

Sep 23 2009 by simon halewood, Crewe Chronicle

Three decades after ‘accidentally’ becoming a cartoonist, Simon Donald, co-creator of the iconic Viz magazine, is bringing his colourful creations to life.

As the anarchic comic celebrates its 30th anniversary, Simon, who retired as co-editor in 2003, says he is loving every minute of letting his characters loose on the British public and takes to the stage for the first night of M Comedy’s new stand-up season at Crewe’s M Club on Friday.

After years spent making thousands laugh from behind a desk, Simon, who grew up in Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, first tried his hand at stand-up comedy in 2005.

But he put his new career on hold last year when his brother Steve – who co-founded Viz with Simon and their brother Chris – was diagnosed with cancer. Steve tragically lost his battle last November.

Simon said: “I was inspired to do stand up full-time after Steve’s death.

“When he died it sparked some- thing and I thought that there are two things I’ve always wanted to do, move to London and do stand-up.

“It was one of those moments where you feel compelled to assess your life and I just decided to go for it and I had a lot of encouragement from friends and even other acts.

“I’m loving every minute and I have never looked back.”

Best known for notorious characters such as Biffa Bacon and Sid the Sexist, Simon says his new career on stage has given him a chance to finally appreciate the magazine’s success.

In its 80s heyday Viz was one of the nation’s best sellers, famous for its rich language, crude toilet humour and black comedy. It was outsold only by the likes of the Radio Times.

Simon said: “When you’re younger you always have dreams. If you are in a band like I was, you dream of being the biggest selling band of them all, but when we started Viz I really didn’t have any idea it would become what it has.

“It was a complete accident. I remember our first run of 150 copies. We sold out in a Newcastle pub instantly.”

What had begun as a few pages, photocopied and sold to friends, became a publishing phenomenon and with so many stories, Simon is currently writing his autobiography, due for release next year.

He said: “I’ve written down a load of anecdotes but there was no real structure to the book. Somehow though things just start to flow together.

“It’s all a bit random and occasionally it’s really hard work but I’m really enjoying it. Remembering things is easy but writing them down is quite hard and you go through all these old emotions that you felt when things happened.”

After playing a staggering 82 shows in 25 days at the Edinburgh Festival this year, Simon hopes his cast of unique creations will appeal to both Viz fans and newcomers.

He said: “I used to tell stories about my characters and just do the voices but now I do the show as them.

“On Viz you write a joke, hope it works and then hope that people who read it everywhere get it the way you meant it.

“On stage you get up and you tell it. It’s instantly rewarding and you meet so many new people. That’s why I love it.”

Joining Simon on Friday night’s showcase is Liverpudlian funnyman John Bishop, most recently seen on BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

John is widely regarded as one of the finest comedians working in the UK today and is playing the High Street club before embarking on a nationwide theatre tour which will run for six months including dates at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre and Liverpool’s Empire Theatre.

Holding the evening together as compère is Dan Nightingale.

Doors will open at 7.15pm, with the show starting at 8.15pm. Under- 16s are not permitted and under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets are £9. To book, call 01270 216785.