Tom Allen is back on Aussie shores with his brand-new stand-up show, 'Completely' – and he has a lot to talk about.
After finally moving out of his parents’ house, Tom is embracing independence in his own delightfully dramatic way. From questionable home décor choices to the complexities of hosting friends with kids, he’s ready to share his latest life lessons, all wrapped up in his signature sharp wit and impeccable comedic timing.
A star on stage and screen, Tom is the charismatic host of 'The Apprentice: You’re Fired', a regular on UK favourites like 'Bake Off: An Extra Slice', and co-host of 'Cooking With The Stars'. His previous tour played to packed houses across the UK, including a sold-out show at the London Palladium.
Armed with fresh stories, razor-sharp observations, and that unmistakable charm, Tom’s latest tour is set to be a riot. Before he lands in Australia, we caught up with him.
Has moving out of your parents’ house provided as much comedy gold as you expected?
Well it turns out that it has in a way, but my mum is still around all the time. In fact, she has recently moved in with me while her house is having some work done. So, it turns out that some things never change.
Your show touches on the etiquette of hosting friends with children. Have you had any dinner party disasters or unexpected lessons in entertaining young guests?
Of course, children are lovely but sometimes I find that they don't respect my carefully chosen interiors! They'll put fingerprints on the panelling I've had done in the hallway. It's as though five-year-olds don't even care about my Liberty Print sofa! Then they'll say they're bored and want to do some colouring in! That's hardly polite now is it? I'd have a good mind to tell them: “yes, I've got some colouring in for them to do – they could start by filling in that paintwork they've just chipped in the hallway”.
You mention your vegetable patch – are you truly green-thumbed, or is this more of an experiment in horticulture?
I like to think of it as an experiment that seems to be going quite well. I don't think you can get it very wrong though to be honest. As long as there's water and a bit of sunlight then plants will grow.
You’re known for acerbic wit and sharp storytelling. How do you balance being biting while still keeping the audience on your side?
I keep a twinkle in my eye.
With a packed resumé including 'The Apprentice: You’re Fired', 'Bake Off: An Extra Slice', and 'Cooking With The Stars', how does stand-up compare to your TV work? Do you approach them differently?
I think they're all similar in that they're about interacting with people. That's what I love about my job – I'm always around different people and they've always got something interesting to say. I guess that with stand-up it's more one sided as I do most of the talking!
Your last tour was a massive success, including a sold-out show at The London Palladium. How does it feel bringing ‘Completely' to an international audience?
Very exciting! I spent about 15 years trying to build an audience and learning what works as a stand-up. The more open you are the more connected people feel.
British and Australian audiences have a shared love for dry, self-deprecating humour. Have you noticed any key differences in how each audience reacts to your material?
Australian audiences are very generous I have found – like you say, there's a shared dryness and self-deprecation. I find in North America people are much more self-confident. If you appear down on yourself they can be inclined to book you into therapy.
You’ve performed in some iconic venues – what’s your dream gig location, and do you have any special rituals before stepping on stage?
I have been very lucky to perform in some amazing places, although I find that gigs in local theatres and arts centres that aren't as famous are often just as much fun. I don't really have any rituals – I'm not a witch after all – but I try and remember that, if I'm feeling nervous, nerves are just the flip side of excitement.
If ‘Completely' had a signature cocktail inspired by the show, what would it be called, and what’s in it?
I think it would be a martini – like me it would be dry. Perfect for sipping in the garden. I'd name it after the show – Completely Drunk.
Tom Allen plays The Malthouse (Melbourne International Comedy Festival) 15-20 April, Regal Theatre (Perth Comedy Festival) 22 April, Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane Comedy Festival) 23-24 April and Enmore Theatre (Sydney Comedy Festival) 25 April.
