From live stand-up to books, as well as podcasts and TV credits, Pierre Novellie has built an eclectic career in comedy which has not only taken various forms over the last twenty years, but is constantly exploring new avenues as it moves forward. As his latest show tours the country after its sold-out run at London’s Soho Theatre, and its critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Pierre sat down to talk to me about audiences, accessibility, and autism – tackling the very question which lends its name to the tour: Why Are You Laughing?
Having already had a taste of success with his last show, Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things?, and the recent release of his debut book Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things? A Comedian’s Guide to Autism, as well as his prolific output of podcasts like Glue Factory and BudPod, it is only natural to wonder if the comic has discovered new passions which will steer him away from live stand-up. Novellie reassures me this isn’t the case: “the easiest format is always live comedy,” he says, explaining that the idea-to-gig pipeline is a much shorter process than, say, writing, editing and eventually publishing a book.
He affirms that “live stand-up is more accessible” for both the audience and the comedian, as being on-stage gives him a “better idea of what works and what doesn’t, and what the public like,” as well as more exposure to people who are more likely to stumble across the show by happy accident, than to “trip and fall and accidentally read a book.”
Live stand-up is more accessible.
Pierre Novellie
He adds that it’s both by necessity and choice that he covers so many formats today: “it used to be that in the 90s and noughties live stand-up would be enough to make a very serious income … whereas now you do have to sort of do everything – and also I’m very easily bored, so I like doing everything.”
In focusing particularly on the different crowds attracted by the various mediums – the ‘You’ in Why Are You Laughing?, if you will – and in view of his nation-wide tour, Novellie also discusses the difference between UK and international audiences. He states that there’s “a sense of humour in the UK that is very regional or identity-based,” which he taps into for his observational comedy, but which doesn’t land so easily with overseas audiences. He explains the struggle between catering for a national audience through “idiomatic understanding” and “cultural references,” whilst “if you have very reference heavy or localised humour, you’re going to struggle internationally.”
There’s a sense of humour in the UK that is very regional or identity-based.
Pierre Novellie
Having performed at Exeter a couple times before, Novellie remembers how older audiences differ from student audiences, but tells me that there’s only so much tweaking you can do to a live routine – a bit of emphasis on this, and modifying tone on that – pointing out the writing process is what builds the solid foundations for his performances.
In fact, when I asked what similarities he’d found between live stand-up and the writing of his book, Novellie observes that “none of [the material for the book] has ever been stand-up, and a lot of it is stuff that I don’t think would work as stand-up.” While still drawing on the same experiences, he speculates how his book contains stories which only “work as written funny anecdotes,” as well as “actual advice and scientific information about autism” which he would never bring onto the stage as comedic material.
His recent journey with autism is something Novellie doesn’t shy away from talking about in his work. Coincidentally, it was a heckler at his last tour who gave him the answer to the show’s title – Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things? – by correctly diagnosing him with autism. Since then, he has used this discovery to inform his writing process, and the material he uses for his comedy. He explains what has changed: “I now have a greater awareness when I’m writing … so that’s streamlined the process” – allowing him to pick and choose material which is more or less likely to appeal to the wider audience, rather than specific experiences with neurodiversity which may only resonate with fewer people.
Many other interviewers have pursued this portrayal of Novellie as part of a group of comedians which have been very vocal about their experiences with neurodiversity. When I asked if Novellie disagreed with being labelled as an autistic comedian, and preferred being known as comedian without the modifier, he states: “I wouldn’t say that I’ve got any interest in particular in just being thought of as a comedian, in the sense that I’ve already done that for nine years.”
I wouldn’t say that I’ve got any interest in particular in just being thought of as a comedian, in the sense that I’ve already done that for nine years.
Pierre Novellie
He goes on to say that it’s not necessarily something you can get away from, even if he wanted to: “the real thing with stand-up is that it’s about what’s true – or at least the version of stand-up that I do, observational – so if it’s what’s going on, you kind of have to talk about it.” As far as being the voice for neurodiversity in comedy, he adds: “I don’t think it’s useful for any individual to be the representative of anything bigger than two or three people,” even though the role is more often than not projected onto you by others – “you’ll be that to some people, but that’s their choice, not yours.”
Ending by turning an eye to the future, Novellie hopes that comedians can use their platform for voicing diverse experiences: “neurodiversity is so pronounced in comedy that it will be a shortcut to raising awareness,” praising the visibility offered by other comics like Fern Brady and Stewart Lee.
Neurodiversity is so pronounced in comedy that it will be a shortcut to raising awareness.
Pierre Novellie
As he muses on on what the emergence of neurodiverse voices can bring into the spotlight, he wonders if this could lead to a new stereotype for autism: “maybe now they’ll sort of add one in about comedy which would be bizarre,” but ultimately his hopes lie with the diversification of experiences, which should harnessed rather than suppressed.
With his latest tour coming to the Exeter Phoenix itself on November 20th, I can’t recommend him enough! Whether you decide to purchase his book, or watch his first special, Quiet Ones, Pierre Novelie is a comedian who deserves the praise he invariably receives. So grab your friends and get yourselves out of the cold, to be warmed by the laughter you won’t be able to escape at his gig!
