Reporter Darcie Rawlings caught up with stand-up comedian Vittorio Angelone to discuss his upcoming second tour “Who Do You Think You Are? I Am.” which is set to visit Newcastle and Middlesborough.
In the interview, Vittorio discusses the Teesside parmo, North East accents, Jesmond Dene and cancel culture.
Vittorio highlighted that the wait for his tour is a little daunting and that he had a sense of underlying panic as he reaches the beginning of his 2024 tour which kicks off in a, currently, sold-out show at The Stand in Newcastle (Tuesday, January 30).
He also casually mentions Geordie Shore legend Vicky Pattinson who is due to attend his opening show, as they struck up a friendship on a quiz show they completed together.
Discussing the region with Vittorio (who has spent some time in the North East), he reminisced about Jesmond Dene and visiting friends at Newcastle University student accommodation, Castle Leazes.
He also mentioned that anyone familiar with Jesmond Dene should refer back to his Translations material from his 2023 tour, where he makes a joke about Peter the peacock from Pets Corner in Jesmond Dene.
The comedian also claims that North East accents are some of his favourites and remarked that a few years ago (when living with a flatmate from Newcastle), he could even decipher one North East Regional accent from another - although he doesn’t feel skilled enough for that these days.
In his tour titled “Who Do You Think You Are? I Am.” Vittorio address themes such as self-identity and external perception and after a glowing reception from his 2023 tour - Translations, Vittorio is going from strength to strength and his honest and clever stand-up is really proving to be a success.
He said: “You can drive yourself mad trying to make sure every single person love what you do, but I’m happy doing what I’m doing, and people seem to like it.”
When discussing the presence of cancel culture on the comedy scene, he said: “I think it’s a terrible thing to shame someone for a mistake, even if I don’t agree with what someone is saying people should be allowed to make a mistake, atone for it and move on.”
“At the same time, I have found that people get a real buzz from comedians using their 'kind of privilege' to talk about things maybe others wouldn’t talk about, and I think people find it exciting to walk that tight rope.”
“If you go to places like The Stand or The Arc in Stockton or any places in the North East there are comedians talking about all sorts of stuff, people aren’t afraid to delve into those topics.”
The last time Vittorio was in Middlesborough he recalls offending concertgoers by bad-mouthing the Teesside classic – parmo.
He laughed that he enjoys winding up a crowd and that he doesn’t have strong feelings on parmos. Which I’m sure will relieve those who have tickets for the Middlesborough Town Hall show.
“I try not to be nasty in any of my jokes, it is important to be kind, but I also try not to be afraid of avoiding these things.”
While studying to be a classical percussionist at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Vittorio realised that he was attending more comedy shows than classical music performances which prompted his career change.
“If I’m going to be a performer, I should perform the things I want to go and watch and I find a great deal of benefit keeping that and hoping that there is a like-minded audience out there."
He went on to perform at university comedy nights in London and even recalls running an open mic in the basement of a kebab shop.
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Vittorio is now a huge success online and credits social media for allowing new start up comedians to try out their material without having to wait to be picked up by shows like Live at the Apollo.
He also heads a podcast with fellow comedian Mike Rice named Vittorio and Mike’s Guide To Parenting (when neither are in fact parents).
Vittorio Angelone will be bringing his new show, ‘Who Do You Think You Are? I Am!’, to Middlesbrough Town Hall on Tuesday, February 27 and The Stand in Newcastle on Tuesday, January 30 and Monday, April 15.
You can watch Vittorio Angelone’s Translations Tour here and buy tickets for his new show “Who Do You Think You Are? I Am.” here.
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