All this month we are going behind the scenes with Robin Morgan as he embarks on his biggest tour to date called The Spark. We go behind the scenes of what it is like to perform to audiences, how to prepare for tour, writing a show and much much more! Today we talk about Tour Life…

You are currently on tour – how is it going?

Good! Really enjoying doing the show, I’ve listened to three audiobooks so far on my journeys, and I’ve drunk a lot of Pepsi Max Cherry and eaten about a dozen bags of Beef Jerky. I’m having a lovely time

“…That’s been a huge change in the industry, and for a while I shied away from it, but I think you’ve got to adapt or you die, and I’m proud of what I do, so why shouldn’t I share it with the wider (terrifying) world of the internet.…”

What are the perks of touring?

I’m not sure if this counts as a perk, but it’s a genuine privilege to do so. The fact that people are coming to see me – it’s my name on the ticket – it’s not a mixed bill show, they’ve booked babysitters and organised their diaries to come and see me – that’s an incredible feeling, and I want to make sure they have the best night when they come out.

What are three essential items you have to have with you?

Weirdly a tripod and some wireless microphones are probably up there now – I film pretty much every gig I do to potentially clip up and put out online. That’s been a huge change in the industry, and for a while I shied away from it, but I think you’ve got to adapt or you die, and I’m proud of what I do, so why shouldn’t I share it with the wider (terrifying) world of the internet. So: tripod, microphones, and chewing gum. I’d hate someone to chat to me after the show and think I’m a stinky boy.

Out of all the venues you have performed at, what has been your favourite and most memorable show?

The London show at the Bill Murray was pretty fun – my second show of the tour. Full room. A few mad things happened: chatted to a couple who’d been married for 57 years who said the secret was “communication and great sex” – what a brag. The same gig, a lady fainted – I think those two stories are unrelated but are they though?

How do you warm up for a show?

I really like listening to the pre-show playlist that the audience hear as they come into the venue. I’ve picked the songs for a reason, and it reminds me that I’ve been working on this for a while. I’ll sometimes do some press ups, but mostly, I’ll go over the show in my notebook and think about what I’m going to eat on the drive home.

How do you wind down afterwards?

After chatting to audience in the foyer, I’m straight in the car driving home. So I wind down with a 3-4 hour car journey, probably listening to, in order: an audiobook, a podcast about comedy, a podcast about gut health, pop punk songs from my youth, before finishing off with a musical theatre soundtrack to get me over the line and home.

What advice would you give to up and coming comedians about tour life?

Look after yourself. It can be fun to keep the party going with some hotel drinks, but personally I’m over that now – I try and get home that night so I’m with my family the next morning. It can be a lonely life at times – so keeping yourself happy and grounded is important.