Photo Credit: Ed Moore
Nick Helm’s
Super Fun Good Time Show
UK Tour 2024
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Dixon Studio, Southend,
On Sale Now
Super Fun Good Time Show
UK Tour 2024
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Dixon Studio, Southend,
On Sale Now
BAFTA-nominated and British Comedy Award-winning star of BBC’s Uncle, Nick Helm – the man with the golden larynx and greatest living all-round entertainer – is BACK! This living legend’s brand new Super Fun Good Time Show will hit the road in Spring 2024.
After years and years of therapy, pills and personal growth, the nation’s favourite Uncle and International Treasure-in-Waiting returns to theatres up and down the country, to mesmerise a new generation of thrill seekers in his all new, box fresh show. Come and see your Golden Emperor shake his ass and give you the only thing you’ve ever wanted… the best damn night of your fragile lives.
Since starting stand-up comedy in 2007, Nick quickly gained attention and critical acclaim for his unique, powerful and above all hilarious blend of one-liners, stories, poems and songs. He quickly went on to become a huge hit on the small screen, starring in BBC’s highly acclaimed Uncle and fronting his own show Nick Helm’s Heavy Entertainment. He is a huge hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, selling out all his previous shows there and on his various UK tours, and he’s been twice nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
Nick said: ‘I’ve been thinking about this show since half way through my last tour and I can’t wait to finally share all the songs, jokes and poems that have been swirling around my head driving me absolutely crazy for the last twelve months. I am so excited about my Super Fun Good Time Show and I think that not only will it be a lot of Good Fun but it will also be Super Time.’
As well as his starring role in Uncle, for which he was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award for Best Comedy Performance, Nick also starred as Lemon alongside Romesh Ranganathan in Sky’s The Reluctant Landlord and he played Watto in Channel 4’s comedy hit Loaded about four friends who become multi-millionaires overnight.
Nick has also presented his own food travelogue show, Eat Your Heart Out with Nick Helm, which launched on Dave to critical acclaim. He appears regularly on and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and has also been on Celebrity Mastermind and The Crystal Maze. He has released two studio albums; Hot ‘n’ Heavy and Nick Helm is F*cking Amazing, with the latter receiving a large album launch at the O2 Forum.
After years and years of therapy, pills and personal growth, the nation’s favourite Uncle and International Treasure-in-Waiting returns to theatres up and down the country, to mesmerise a new generation of thrill seekers in his all new, box fresh show. Come and see your Golden Emperor shake his ass and give you the only thing you’ve ever wanted… the best damn night of your fragile lives.
Since starting stand-up comedy in 2007, Nick quickly gained attention and critical acclaim for his unique, powerful and above all hilarious blend of one-liners, stories, poems and songs. He quickly went on to become a huge hit on the small screen, starring in BBC’s highly acclaimed Uncle and fronting his own show Nick Helm’s Heavy Entertainment. He is a huge hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, selling out all his previous shows there and on his various UK tours, and he’s been twice nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
Nick said: ‘I’ve been thinking about this show since half way through my last tour and I can’t wait to finally share all the songs, jokes and poems that have been swirling around my head driving me absolutely crazy for the last twelve months. I am so excited about my Super Fun Good Time Show and I think that not only will it be a lot of Good Fun but it will also be Super Time.’
As well as his starring role in Uncle, for which he was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award for Best Comedy Performance, Nick also starred as Lemon alongside Romesh Ranganathan in Sky’s The Reluctant Landlord and he played Watto in Channel 4’s comedy hit Loaded about four friends who become multi-millionaires overnight.
Nick has also presented his own food travelogue show, Eat Your Heart Out with Nick Helm, which launched on Dave to critical acclaim. He appears regularly on and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and has also been on Celebrity Mastermind and The Crystal Maze. He has released two studio albums; Hot ‘n’ Heavy and Nick Helm is F*cking Amazing, with the latter receiving a large album launch at the O2 Forum.
‘Genuinely exciting’ ★★★★★ Telegraph
‘Terrific’ ★★★★ Times
‘A true comedy daredevil’ ★★★★ Time Out
‘Terrific’ ★★★★ Times
‘A true comedy daredevil’ ★★★★ Time Out
Interview with Nick below....
TOUR SCHEDULE:
2024:
Tuesday, 26 March Aberdeen, Lemon Tree Studio
Wednesday, 27 March Edinburgh, Monkey Barrel
Thursday, 28 March Glasgow, The Garage
Thursday, 11 April Canterbury, Gulbenkian
Friday, 12 April Brighton, The Old Market
Saturday, 13 April Folkestone, Quarterhouse
Thursday, 18 April York, The Crescent
Friday, 19 April Manchester, Cultplex
Saturday, 20 April Pocklington, Arts Centre
Sunday 21 April Chorley, Chorley Theatre
Wednesday, 24 April Andover, The Lights
Thursday, 25 April Southampton, Attic
Friday, 26 April Winchester, The Arc
Saturday, 27 April Plymouth, Quad
Thursday, 2 May Leeds, City Varieties
Friday, 3 May Kendal, Brewery Arts Centre
Wednesday, 8 May Bath, Rondo
Thursday, 9 May Stafford, MET Studio
Friday, 10 May Wolverhampton, Newhampton Arts Centre
Saturday, 11 May Birmingham, Glee Studio
Tuesday, 14 May Colchester, Arts Centre
Wednesday, 15 May Maidenhead, Norden Farm
Thursday, 16 May Southend, Dixon Studio
Friday, 17 May Reading, South Street
Saturday, 18 May Fareham, Ashcroft Arts Centre
Wednesday, 22 May Exeter, Pheonix
Thursday, 23 May Corsham, Pound Arts Centre
Friday, 24 May Swindon, Arts Centre
Saturday, 25 May Wells, Comedy Festival
Sunday, 26 May Cardiff, Glee Club
Wednesday, 29 May Sheffield, Leadmill
Thursday, 30 May Newcastle, The Stand
Friday, 31 May Hull, Truck Studio
Saturday, 1 June Cambridge, Junction 2
Sunday, 2 June Bristol, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Thursday, 6 June Norwich, Playhouse
Friday, 7 June London, Leicester Square Theatre
Tickets: www.nick-helm.co.uk www.plosive.co.uk www.seetickets.com
2024:
Tuesday, 26 March Aberdeen, Lemon Tree Studio
Wednesday, 27 March Edinburgh, Monkey Barrel
Thursday, 28 March Glasgow, The Garage
Thursday, 11 April Canterbury, Gulbenkian
Friday, 12 April Brighton, The Old Market
Saturday, 13 April Folkestone, Quarterhouse
Thursday, 18 April York, The Crescent
Friday, 19 April Manchester, Cultplex
Saturday, 20 April Pocklington, Arts Centre
Sunday 21 April Chorley, Chorley Theatre
Wednesday, 24 April Andover, The Lights
Thursday, 25 April Southampton, Attic
Friday, 26 April Winchester, The Arc
Saturday, 27 April Plymouth, Quad
Thursday, 2 May Leeds, City Varieties
Friday, 3 May Kendal, Brewery Arts Centre
Wednesday, 8 May Bath, Rondo
Thursday, 9 May Stafford, MET Studio
Friday, 10 May Wolverhampton, Newhampton Arts Centre
Saturday, 11 May Birmingham, Glee Studio
Tuesday, 14 May Colchester, Arts Centre
Wednesday, 15 May Maidenhead, Norden Farm
Thursday, 16 May Southend, Dixon Studio
Friday, 17 May Reading, South Street
Saturday, 18 May Fareham, Ashcroft Arts Centre
Wednesday, 22 May Exeter, Pheonix
Thursday, 23 May Corsham, Pound Arts Centre
Friday, 24 May Swindon, Arts Centre
Saturday, 25 May Wells, Comedy Festival
Sunday, 26 May Cardiff, Glee Club
Wednesday, 29 May Sheffield, Leadmill
Thursday, 30 May Newcastle, The Stand
Friday, 31 May Hull, Truck Studio
Saturday, 1 June Cambridge, Junction 2
Sunday, 2 June Bristol, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Thursday, 6 June Norwich, Playhouse
Friday, 7 June London, Leicester Square Theatre
Tickets: www.nick-helm.co.uk www.plosive.co.uk www.seetickets.com
Photo credit: Ed Moore
INTERVIEW
It’s been 12 months of anniversaries for comedian Nick Helm. 2024 marks ten years since the much-loved BBC sitcom Uncle – which Helm starred in and wrote the songs for – was first broadcast. Last summer was the tenth anniversary of his debut rock-comedy album Hot ’n’ Heavy. And this year is 15 years since the Bafta-nominated comic’s first solo hour at the Edinburgh Fringe.
So, after a few years of exploring introspective themes in his solo shows, Nick Helm is returning to the no-holds-barred, explosively funny stand-up of his early days in his brand new show, Nick Helm’s Super Fun Good Time Show, which is touring the UK until June.
As well as acting roles in Uncle, Channel 4’s Loaded and Sky’s The Reluctant Landlord, Helm has fronted his own BBC comedy show Nick Helm’s Heavy Entertainment and food travelogue Eat Your Heart Out for Dave. Plus he’s appeared on panel and stand-up shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Live at the Apollo.
But it’s live on stage where Helm is at his most exhilarating. His high-octane mix of stand-up, songs, poems – and, in his new offering, gameshow – has to be seen to be believed.
I caught up with the British Comedy Award-winning comedian to chat about what makes a Super Fun Good Time.
You’re on tour with Nick Helm’s Super Fun Good Time Show. What can you tell us about the new show?
My last show, What Have We Become…? was written during the pandemic and came together out of necessity. I wanted to get on the road as soon as we were allowed to and I found the whole thing really cathartic, but as we were touring I was thinking: I can’t wait to do something that’s a bit more upbeat and fun. So now that the dust has settled and we’re all pretty much back to normal again I’ve gone back to basics and I’m just trying to have as much fun with my audiences as possible. After three shows dealing with and talking about depression and mental health and almost ten years of struggling badly with it, I’m feeling like I’m finally coming out the other side of it and this show will reflect that a little.
With such a positive, upbeat title, can audiences expect an equally upbeat show?
I hope so. My initial aim was to draw a line under talking about mental health and focus on doing something slightly sillier. But actually as the show has come together I’ve realised that I sort of owe it to the chunk of my audience that come to see me for that stuff to keep them updated. But I’m also known for a bunch of other stuff: Cats Does Countdown, Uncle, stand-up, music, poetry, costumes… So, basically, I’m going to try and make as many people happy as possible. Including me.
What would you like audiences to take away from the show?
First and foremost, I want people to have a good time. Secondly, though, I want to let other people who may suffer from depression know that there’s hope out there and not to give up. So the overall message of the show is to not give up, but it’s going to be done in a very Nick Helm way. I am what I am and there’s no point in trying to be something I’m not. And even though I sometimes talk about things that I’ve been dealing with I try not to do it in a sentimental way or by standing on a soap box.
You’ve been on plenty of TV shows. Do you enjoy filming?
No joke, TV can sometimes pay pretty well and is a great way funnelling people towards your work. The older I’ve got the more I’ve enjoyed TV for what it is. I used to get so nervous and hang a lot on it, but the last few things I did I enjoyed as opportunities to just be myself a bit more.
You’ve also fronted two sitcoms, Uncle and Loaded. You recently reunited with Elliot Speller-Mason – who played your nephew Errol in Uncle – for some live music gigs. How have you found performing with a live band?
Some people say they were put on this planet to do one thing well, but I feel like I’ve been put here to do about eight things fairly competently. I love the musical side to what I do and it’s always better with a band, so they’ll be missed by me on this tour. I think I’ve always preferred to be on stage with other people.
And what was it like having a now grown-up Errol on stage with you?
I love that boy. I’m quite protective of him. I’ve known him since he was 11 and I’ve watched him grow up. It’s sort of like the TV show. He’s the most talented person I know. He’s an excellent musician who can play multiple instruments, he can act, he’s a stand-up, he runs club nights, he can write, he’s funny, he’s kind. He’s my mate. I’ve tried to make sure he knows that I’m always here with a pair of ears. I’ve been there for him and he’s been there for me. I hope I’ll know him for the rest of his life.
Which aspect of performing do you prefer: acting or stand-up?
Stand-up. I love acting and would love to do more, but acting is a painful beast filled with heartache and rejection. However, stand-up has looked after me when I haven’t been able to look after myself. After Uncle I went through a phase of struggling a bit with acting. Most of the parts I was being offered were either ‘Fat’ characters, ‘Drug Addict’ characters or sometimes ‘Fat Drug Addict’ characters and I lost a bit of hope. I loved making my two short films (Elephant 2016 and The Killing Machine 2018) and I’m basically on a life mission to make a movie. If I do nothing else I will make a movie. A good one. And if I’m allowed, I’d like to make another one. And maybe that would trump both stand up and acting, because I love the control of being in the edit.
Does stand-up allow you to be in control of the ‘edit’, live on stage?
Well, with stand-up, the audience shapes the product as you go. Acting is great, but there’s a lot of waiting for the part and the role and the scene and the phone call. But stand-up is more proactive and you can gig whenever you like really and make a living. One day, maybe I’ll settle on something, but until then I’m happy switching things up to keep me interested. I’ve done a lot of therapy and I feel like I’m finally getting to grips with who I am, what I want and what I can offer. I’m beginning to feel comfortable in my skin for the first time in my entire life and it’s really cathartic and emotional. I love the opportunities TV has given me, but at the moment going out onstage is the best feeling in the world.
Finally, what are you most looking forward to about going on the road?
I get to team back up with my old technician Aaron. I met Aaron in 2019 and he teched both my Edinburgh shows that year. We’ve been friends ever since and he’s helping me make this show something special. I’m obviously also looking forward to getting back out and meeting new people in some new places. I honestly love gigging. It’s crazy. I can’t wait to say hello to everyone that will have me and sign stuff at the end, there’s some really nice merch with this tour and sitting around at the end and doing selfies with people and meeting everyone is a lovely way to end the night. Can’t wait to see you all out there.
So, after a few years of exploring introspective themes in his solo shows, Nick Helm is returning to the no-holds-barred, explosively funny stand-up of his early days in his brand new show, Nick Helm’s Super Fun Good Time Show, which is touring the UK until June.
As well as acting roles in Uncle, Channel 4’s Loaded and Sky’s The Reluctant Landlord, Helm has fronted his own BBC comedy show Nick Helm’s Heavy Entertainment and food travelogue Eat Your Heart Out for Dave. Plus he’s appeared on panel and stand-up shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Live at the Apollo.
But it’s live on stage where Helm is at his most exhilarating. His high-octane mix of stand-up, songs, poems – and, in his new offering, gameshow – has to be seen to be believed.
I caught up with the British Comedy Award-winning comedian to chat about what makes a Super Fun Good Time.
You’re on tour with Nick Helm’s Super Fun Good Time Show. What can you tell us about the new show?
My last show, What Have We Become…? was written during the pandemic and came together out of necessity. I wanted to get on the road as soon as we were allowed to and I found the whole thing really cathartic, but as we were touring I was thinking: I can’t wait to do something that’s a bit more upbeat and fun. So now that the dust has settled and we’re all pretty much back to normal again I’ve gone back to basics and I’m just trying to have as much fun with my audiences as possible. After three shows dealing with and talking about depression and mental health and almost ten years of struggling badly with it, I’m feeling like I’m finally coming out the other side of it and this show will reflect that a little.
With such a positive, upbeat title, can audiences expect an equally upbeat show?
I hope so. My initial aim was to draw a line under talking about mental health and focus on doing something slightly sillier. But actually as the show has come together I’ve realised that I sort of owe it to the chunk of my audience that come to see me for that stuff to keep them updated. But I’m also known for a bunch of other stuff: Cats Does Countdown, Uncle, stand-up, music, poetry, costumes… So, basically, I’m going to try and make as many people happy as possible. Including me.
What would you like audiences to take away from the show?
First and foremost, I want people to have a good time. Secondly, though, I want to let other people who may suffer from depression know that there’s hope out there and not to give up. So the overall message of the show is to not give up, but it’s going to be done in a very Nick Helm way. I am what I am and there’s no point in trying to be something I’m not. And even though I sometimes talk about things that I’ve been dealing with I try not to do it in a sentimental way or by standing on a soap box.
You’ve been on plenty of TV shows. Do you enjoy filming?
No joke, TV can sometimes pay pretty well and is a great way funnelling people towards your work. The older I’ve got the more I’ve enjoyed TV for what it is. I used to get so nervous and hang a lot on it, but the last few things I did I enjoyed as opportunities to just be myself a bit more.
You’ve also fronted two sitcoms, Uncle and Loaded. You recently reunited with Elliot Speller-Mason – who played your nephew Errol in Uncle – for some live music gigs. How have you found performing with a live band?
Some people say they were put on this planet to do one thing well, but I feel like I’ve been put here to do about eight things fairly competently. I love the musical side to what I do and it’s always better with a band, so they’ll be missed by me on this tour. I think I’ve always preferred to be on stage with other people.
And what was it like having a now grown-up Errol on stage with you?
I love that boy. I’m quite protective of him. I’ve known him since he was 11 and I’ve watched him grow up. It’s sort of like the TV show. He’s the most talented person I know. He’s an excellent musician who can play multiple instruments, he can act, he’s a stand-up, he runs club nights, he can write, he’s funny, he’s kind. He’s my mate. I’ve tried to make sure he knows that I’m always here with a pair of ears. I’ve been there for him and he’s been there for me. I hope I’ll know him for the rest of his life.
Which aspect of performing do you prefer: acting or stand-up?
Stand-up. I love acting and would love to do more, but acting is a painful beast filled with heartache and rejection. However, stand-up has looked after me when I haven’t been able to look after myself. After Uncle I went through a phase of struggling a bit with acting. Most of the parts I was being offered were either ‘Fat’ characters, ‘Drug Addict’ characters or sometimes ‘Fat Drug Addict’ characters and I lost a bit of hope. I loved making my two short films (Elephant 2016 and The Killing Machine 2018) and I’m basically on a life mission to make a movie. If I do nothing else I will make a movie. A good one. And if I’m allowed, I’d like to make another one. And maybe that would trump both stand up and acting, because I love the control of being in the edit.
Does stand-up allow you to be in control of the ‘edit’, live on stage?
Well, with stand-up, the audience shapes the product as you go. Acting is great, but there’s a lot of waiting for the part and the role and the scene and the phone call. But stand-up is more proactive and you can gig whenever you like really and make a living. One day, maybe I’ll settle on something, but until then I’m happy switching things up to keep me interested. I’ve done a lot of therapy and I feel like I’m finally getting to grips with who I am, what I want and what I can offer. I’m beginning to feel comfortable in my skin for the first time in my entire life and it’s really cathartic and emotional. I love the opportunities TV has given me, but at the moment going out onstage is the best feeling in the world.
Finally, what are you most looking forward to about going on the road?
I get to team back up with my old technician Aaron. I met Aaron in 2019 and he teched both my Edinburgh shows that year. We’ve been friends ever since and he’s helping me make this show something special. I’m obviously also looking forward to getting back out and meeting new people in some new places. I honestly love gigging. It’s crazy. I can’t wait to say hello to everyone that will have me and sign stuff at the end, there’s some really nice merch with this tour and sitting around at the end and doing selfies with people and meeting everyone is a lovely way to end the night. Can’t wait to see you all out there.