Interview with Nick Nolan

Who are you?

I’m a family entertainer based in Essex. I’ve been entertaining professionally for almost 17 years this year. My act features three things that I’m incredibly passionate about. Comedy, magic and ventriloquism.

Where have you performed your show?

I’ve written, produced and performed various different themed shows for Haven Holiday Parks, Park Dean Resorts, Away Resorts, Pontin’s, Royal Hippodrome Theatre Eastbourne, The Woodville Gravesend, Queens Theatre Hornchurch, Thameside Theatre Grays, Brentwood Theatre and Viva Theatre Soham.

What can people expect if they come to one of your shows?

I strive myself on creating a world of slapstick and laughter, by taking my audiences on a journey where they can forget about their troubles of the world we now live in. I think It’s also really important to play to everyone. I regularly have parents and Grandparents come up to me at the end of performances to tell me that they had as much fun as their children and haven’t laughed so much in ages. I think that’s the best part of my job really, taking adults back to their childhood.

What got you interested in the world of magic and puppets?

I was never interested in football or sports like many of the boys at my school. I was fascinated with puppets, magic, pantomime, Halloween and the land of make believe. At the age of four, my late Grandmother took me shopping. As we walked in to the shopping centre I heard a squeak and a squawking sound. I was greeted by a large red and white booth and a red nosed jester like character puppet was performing to a crowd of parents and children. This was of course Mr. Punch, in a Punch and Judy Show performed Walt Lees. I was hooked, I loved every bit of it. The slapstick comedy, the colours, not forgetting all the different voices and puppets. Walt Also performed a bit of magic, balloon modelling and juggling, an all rounder as such! My family all chipped in and bought me various puppets and tricks for Birthdays and Christmas and before I knew it, I was performing my first paid show in someone’s back garden for £20.00! Later, I was mentored by a brilliant children’s entertainer called Shaun Papworth AKA Papalarny who really ironed out the creases of my act.

Who are your inspirations?

I was always very fortunate to have an incredibly supportive Mother, Grandmother and Grandfather who always believed in what I wanted to do. They never told me what to do, they just let me get on with it! My childhood was spent being taken to circuses, pantomimes, holiday parks and theatres. I have fond memories of my grandparents sitting me in front of the television and naming all of the legendary comedians, with a full back story of when they saw them live back in the good old days of variety! People like Tommy Cooper, Bernie Clifton, Basil Brush, Keith Harris, Ray Alan, Roger De Courcey, Nina Conti, Paul Zerdin to name but a few. I was always heavily inspired with my facial expressions and cheeky lines by watching countless Carry On films and CBBC’s “The Slammer” featuring the brilliant Ted Rogers, plus many brilliant variety acts that featured weekly on the programme. It was a real education in the early 2000’s!

Why do you do what you do?

Truth be told, I adore making people smile and get a huge buzz from performing. The adrenaline of walking in to a theatre and setting up, knowing that in a few hours there’s going to be seats full of people from so many different forms of life, all coming together to support theatre and enjoy themselves. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. 

What type of magic do you perform?

My magic is first and foremost comedy driven. I strive to make the youngest of children laugh, right up to fully grown adults. I also use music and sound effects extensively throughout my act to give it a bit of an edge! I have always tried to keep my material as original as possible and am fortunate enough to work regularly with Scott Penrose, past president of The Magic Circle, as my magic consultant and props builder.

What puppets do you use?

The star of the show is without fail Nambu the elephant. He’s been my right hand man, literally for as long as I can remember and has appeared in countless productions around the country. Depending on the theme of the production that I’m performing in, I also regularly use other puppet characters alongside Nambu. Fun fact, I also collect vintage puppets and ventriloquist figures. Some of which date back over 100 years!

What pantomimes have you appeared in?

I’ve performed in Snow White at The Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, Beauty And The Beast, Rapunzel and Robin Hood at the Woodville Theatre in Gravesend. I also wrote my own routines and opening spots for each production.