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Comedy Lab

Interviews - David McSavage


David Savage

I am David McSavage. I'm 42 have been doing the comedy for a long time. I'm an alcoholic, but I've never gone to an AA meeting, because I've never wanted to be anonymous.

I know that might sound like a flippant thing to say, but it's partly the truth, because for years I drank openly in public, and it was obvious to anyone who knew me that I was an alcoholic.

So it bothers me now that I've stopped drinking I'm supposed to meet secretly in a room, with other alcoholics. I'm such an attention-seeker, the word 'anonymous' horrifies me.

I travelled around Europe as a one-man band for a few years. I still have back problems from the experience because the bottom of the drum rested on my lower vertebrae.

I have a wife - her name is Hannah Gnat, and she's Polish. I got together with her 15 years ago, before the Polish became all fashionable.

Being part of the Comedy lab is the biggest thing that's happened to me in my career so far.


What do you think your part is in the dynamic of Headwreckers?

It's easy to think of the five of us in Headwreckers as representing the five elements: James Goldsbury is metal, John Colleary is earth, Eleanor Tiernan is water, Declan Rooney is wind and I am fire.


What's your hidden talent?

Being a narcissist means that whatever talents you have you would never keep them hidden, and certainly if I do have a hidden talent it is also hidden from me. Maybe I would be good in a war.


Did you always want to be a comedian?

That question is similar to asking a gay man, "did you always want to be a homosexual?" It took me a while to fully accept what I am. I came out of the comedy closet over 10 years ago.


Did the writers' room style of Headwreckers provide more freedom when you were coming up with ideas for sketches?

I think the writers' room suits Declan Rooney best because for me, his explanation of his sketch ideas are as funny as his actual sketches.


What's your favourite sketch in Headwreckers and why?

I like the sketch where we can't video our kids because that actually happened to me. This sketch is revenge against the utter stupidity of certain types of parents.


How did you feel when you where told Headwreckers would become a Comedy Lab?

I was over the moon. It gave my confidence a great boost, and I know the others felt exactly the same way.


If you could do a sketch with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?

Gene Wilder, Julian Barratt, Sally Phillips, Julia Davis or Gary Shandling.

If you weren't a comedian what would you be?

A carpenter.


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