Who doesn’t recognise Nathan Caton?
Virtually a household name, his stand-up star continues to soar with TV and radio credits and tours. AND he even has his own place now! He spoke to Col Howarth ahead of the inaugural Rhondda Arts Festival in Treorchy (2018) where he is set to close a four-night comedy extravaganza.
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It is a good two and a half years since we last spoke, way back when Nathan was preparing to take his show Straight Outta Middlesex to the Edinburgh Fringe. But it’s not like he hasn’t been busy. In fact he has been gathering TV and radio appearances like he has been picking apples: Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and Russell Howard’s Good News to name but a few, as well as his own BBC3 show Gran Jury in which he helps his gran solve the problems faced by today’s millennials.
So, how’s it all going?
‘I can’t complain mate! I’ve got my fingers in a few little pies. Trying to climb the comedy ladder! Straight Outta Middlesex was the last time I did Edinburgh because I toured it and then I had a new show and toured that as well. I feel that this is what I want to do now. Touring was less stressful and I made some money! I’m also writing a few bits and bobs that I’m trying to get commissioned. Keeping active and keeping the brain ticking.’
But surely with a list of credits like yours there can’t be too many rungs left to climb on that ladder?
‘There’s always something to do! Tours and then you start performing at bigger venues on those tours. You may want to aim to do arenas and produce tour DVDs. You get more TV work from touring and just constantly working on your craft and upping your profile.’
Starting in stand-up at the tender age of 19 - he is now 33 - Nathan has also reached a personal milestone which is helping him to knock his fresh material into shape for an as-yet-unannounced brand new show.
‘When we last spoke I was living at my mum’s house. Well, I’ve moved out now. So the new stuff is about the realities of living in your own home. It isn’t all glamour and parties! If something gets broken I have to fix it! I can’t call my mum. So the new material is about growing up and coming of age. I’m an adult now! I totally see the world through different eyes. When I was at home my mum used to nag at me and I would be relax mum there’s no need to nag! but now I’ve got my own place I see exactly why she was nagging at me!’
Nathan is going to be gracing the stage at The Lion in Treorchy, the very first purpose-built comedy venue in the South Wales Valleys. His performance will cap off a four night comedy fringe as part of the first ever Rhondda Arts Festival. Also appearing over those four nights will be the likes of TV names Lloyd Langford (see our interview here), Noel James, Craig Campbell (see the interview here) and Tony Law (read the interview here), as well as a cast of support acts, award-winners and rising circuit stars. All four shows will be compered by local work-horse Drew Taylor!
