Born into a circus family, Martin Mor didn’t really get a chance to decline a mediocre existence. If anything, the knife-throwing-pyrotechnic-cum-comic has done nothing if not fully embrace a life so far left of centre that, at times, it’s not entirely clear which planet he’s orbiting. He’s performed in front of the British Royal Family and Tina Turner, juggled machetes in an Italian prison, cheated death more times than should be humanly possible, and if that doesn’t impress you, his impeccably kempt beard most definitely will. Oh, and he’s pictured on an arts and entertainment square of Trivial Pursuit in a leotard. It’s little wonder, then, that he chooses comedy as an outlet for his outlandish, often inconceivable capers, delivering devilish, animated shows that have the unique ability to simultaneously charm the pants off the entire room while having hecklers shit themselves (hopefully with their pants still on at this point).
INTERVIEW
1. Why did you quit the circus and turn to comedy?
I was working on a new act that involved juggling basketballs while balancing on top of an 8-foot ladder. I had a fall, resulting in a broken ankle and six weeks off work. I was friends with English comedian Dave Gorman and he suggested that, while off work, I should go and check out the new comedy club that had just opened in Manchester. The owner already knew of me so he booked me to do a paid set at his club. So the first time I ever set foot in a comedy club I was working as the headline act doing my comedy juggling set.
2. You’ve performed in front of some pretty varied and unique audiences. What kind of material does one perform to inmates of an Italian prison?
I do shows for all sorts of audiences, from kids’ comedy, family shows, to edgy adult stand-up shows. In the Italian prison show, I did my knife throwing act. In this particular act, I start out with regular-sized throwing knives, and finish up throwing machetes. For the big finish, I give a member of the audience a machete to throw at me, I catch it and juggle with two other machetes. When I reached a machete to one of the prisoners to throw, the warders all looked pretty worried….It all worked out fine. Taking a bag of big knives into a prison…what’s the worst that can happen?
3. What makes you laugh?
I really like laughing, and do it a lot. Today i was made to laugh by seeing a very small adult, carrying a very large child. I’m still laughing about that now.
4. What’s your opinion on hecklers?
I love hecklers. I believe that live comedy is an interactive performance – the audience joining in is what makes it such a great art form. The only really annoying heckles are when the heckler is too drunk and just shouts out incoherently. That’s no use to a comedian.
5. You have been involved in everything from a high-speed motorway crash to being shot at by a drunken German. What do you think is the closest you’ve come to “the end”?
Comedians do not fear death. We have all died many times…and lived to tell the tale.
6. You have sported an incredibly impressive beard for some time. How do you feel about the fact that they are a bit of a hipster trend now?
I’ve had a long beard for about 20 years now, so I’ve seen facial hair come in and out of fashion a couple of times. Now that beards are fashionable, the same young men who might have drunkenly shouted “ZZ Top” at me in the street are now complimenting me, and asking for grooming tips.
7. What are your top tips for growing and maintaining it?
Step 1: Be a man.
Step 2: Stop shaving.
Step 3: Enjoy looking awesome.
8. Some people believe that a man with a beard is hiding something. How much truth do you think there is to this statement?
That is a strange notion to me? Having a beard is the natural state for the males of our species – shaving is the unnatural thing. The men who scrape all of their facial hair off every day are the ones to be viewed with suspicion.
9. Do you ever use your beard to hide things in it?
In my kids’ show, I do a magic trick where I keep producing things that are hidden in my beard. The largest thing is a ten pin bowling ball.
10. How would you describe your comedic style in ten words or less?
I’m a big, shouty, sweary, beardy, funny motherfucker! (Is motherfucker one word or two?)
The Comedy Club Cambodia and Comedy Bookers Cambodia present Martin Mor, 8:30pm Friday May 22 at Showbox, #11 St. 330. Supported by Vatthina Tola, Scotty Muldoon and Steven Halcrow. Advance tickets from Showbox or at the door for $5.