Interview
Interview
Christopher Hall watches awards acceptance speeches for self-care
Christopher Hall tells all – his unusual self-care routine, bad advice, and how his S Club 7 obsession came back to haunt him
An entire generation of new comics made headway on social media during lockdown. Conjuring skits, offering up gigglesome responses to daily events and partaking in all kinds of ridiculous trends, these newfound talents kept the general populace entertained from the within the comfort of their own mobile devices. T’was a golden age of comedy, some might say, as said comedians helped ease the woes of the outside world.
Christopher Hall was one such comedian, whose knack for sparking viral trends (namely the infectiously joyous ‘Backing Singers’ routine with his sister Elizabeth) saw him collaborate with the likes of Shania Twain, the Jonas Brothers, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sugababes, and even Kylie Minogue.
But when the world returned to its natural order, some budding comics might have made a stuttering start to their live careers given they’d never brought their comedy to the stage before. Not an issue for Christopher Hall however, who was well versed in the ways of live performance. Though he admitted there was a bit of “nervousness as to whether or not stories that I make my friends laugh with at a house party will translate on stage, to strangers,” his former life in theatre meant that charming and cracking up crowds night after night was a natural fit for Hall.
Cue a lauded debut Edinburgh Fringe show and after several subsequent tours, Christopher’s back with the glitzy, glamorous, gut-busting Pizazz. “It’ll be high energy, it’ll be theatrical,” he declares with gusto, before we got to know him better for this edition of Stuck In A Lift.
So, ahead of his Pizazz bonanza of a tour which kicks off in October, Hall tells all – his unusual self-care routine, bad advice, and how his S Club 7 obsession came back to haunt him.
Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?
I’m going to say Kelly Clarkson, because she can sing literally every song in every genre. We could entertain ourselves for hours. She can do anything. Literally anything. She’s funny as well – I’m sure we could chat about the colour of the walls?
Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with?
I say this with love: Grace Campbell. Because our combined anxiety would skyrocket. We wouldn’t able to talk each other down. We’d just be anxious and nervous and scared. We’d drive ourselves insane. We wouldn’t need much help to catastrophise it. We’d probably be better off in separate lifts.
What is the weirdest interaction you’ve had with a famous person?
Basically, when I was about twenty-five, I first met Rachel Stevens whilst she was on the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour. My friend introduced me to her as he was working on the tour and he knew how excited I was to meet her. I’ve never actually just blanked in front of anyone, so obviously and so uncool-y as that. She just appeared from round the corner and my friend was like ‘hey here’s Rachel’, she’s excited to meet you’. I literally just looked at her, mouth aghast. She kind of waved nervously, then walked away. We have met since and I’ve been able to say hello properly. That was about ten years ago, so, I was pretty blown away to meet her.
I’m guessing based on you blanking, you were a big S Club 7 fan growing up?
They were a staple in our household. ‘Reach From The Stars’: it’s not only a great pop song, it’s a lesson to live your life by.
What was the last gig or show you went to?
I went to see BLACKPINK in Paris, in August. That was really fun. I love going abroad for a gig, unnecessarily. Sounds like a privileged thing to say. But I love turning a gig into a 36-hour romp in a different city.
You’re preaching to the choir here Chris.
Precisely, why not make a day-and-a-half out of it. That was August though. I saw Zara Larsson at Wembley Arena in November. Big fan of the pop girlies. You’ve got to go and see all the girls when they’ve got their big shows. Zara Larsson was probably the last. Oh yeah, and I saw Haim at The O2. I quit is such a good album.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
I love watching award acceptance speeches on YouTube. If you’re feeling down, just watch fifteen minutes of people accepting awards to fill you with some good chi.
Are you manifesting with that?
I mean, that’d be lovely. Even if you don’t feel it for you, it just good for the energy receptors. As opposed to other content which makes you feel scared or alone or upset at the world or triggered. I just like watching people cry and thank their parents. Olivia Colman winning her Oscar. Great. It’s just great. Beyoncé winning Best Album at the Grammy’s. Go back and watch Lisa Kudrow winning an Emmy.
Two-part question: In a biopic of your life, who would you want to play you, and realistically who do you think would be cast to play you?
I’d want Jonathan Bailey to play me. He’d do a great job. They’d probably cast somewhere goofy. Not that I’m calling myself goofy, though realistically, they’d get a young Lee Evans. No. Dream casting: Jonathan Bailey. Realistic casting: Jonathan Bailey.
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given?
Something along the lines of: “you should text him again.”
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I waited tables at an Italian restaurant in Cambridge for a day. I didn’t last a shift. Lasted about eight hours. It was a brand new restaurant, nobody knew where it was. I knew where nothing was, but neither did the managers. I kept asking questions so they got progressively more annoyed at me. It was short lived.
It wasn’t necessarily the worst job I’ve ever had, but I was an elf in Santa’s Grotto. It wasn’t terrible. But there were moments when it felt tough being dressed in a felt elf costume handing out presents on the 23rd December when I wanted to be getting drunk with my friends.
What’s a skill that nobody else knows you’re good at?
People are always surprised to know that I can drive! They’re puzzled, like ‘…..you can?’ I have a great sense of direction. Which also surprises people. I’m a really good traveller: I’m swift through security, I pack correctly, toiletries already in the little plastic bag, laptop already in my hand, I’m already on the airplane. That’s a skill I think.
Sounds like you were born for the jet-setting lifestyle.
Do you know what I mean? Born for the jet-set. It’s this people-pleasing thing though, trying not to affect other people’s day. Some people get to the front of the queue at security and take their sweet time. I don’t want to impose on anyone. I’m going to cause as little trouble as possible. It’s jet-set, but it’s not taking up too much space in the world.
If a song played every time you walked into a room, what would it be?
I could stick with Kelly Clarkson’s back catalogue – she’s an all-time great, after all. Or maybe not Kelly Clarkson. This is tough. I’m also stressed as I feel like I have to choose within a certain time limit. In my head I’ve got a countdown clock ticking.
If you need any help, I can perform the Countdown theme tune?
If you could refrain, that’d be amazing. I’m going to check my liked songs. I want something that’s not my favourite song. It has to be an announcement if it’s getting played every time I come into a room.
I appreciate the careful consideration over this.
Ok. I’m going to say ’17’ by MK. “You ain’t even missing me baby”. That never fails to hit. It never fails to put a smile on your face. Every time you enter a room like “you ain’t even missing me baby”. There’s a candlelight remix for night time – or early mornings. Whatever part of the day, you get that essence. Maybe you don’t want the party banger at 06:00. But then again, you might?
Christopher Hall heads on tour with Pizazz later this year. Find tickets here.
