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Local boy nets comedy award at festival
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Thursday 2nd Sep 2004.
GAZETTE & HERALD: WILL Hodgson is Chippenham's comedy king after he scooped the prestigious Perrier Award, for Best Newcomer at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The Perrier Award is in its 24th year and is considered one of the most coveted of all comedy awards, so Mr Hodgson, 26, of The Causeway, was thrilled to win Best Newcomer for his debut Fringe show The Passion of the Hodgson.
Mr Hodgson described his 50-minute show as fast paced and raucous and said it empowers those who feel they don't fit into `normal' society.
He launched heartfelt attacks on homophobia, racism and body fascism and explored a bizarre world of rednecks from his West Country home and childhood crushes on puppets.
"I didn't have any idea I would win," he said. "I didn't have a speech prepared and I lost £20 because I bet on another nominee!"
Christian Slater presented the award at a party on the last Saturday of the Fringe. Although the party is a highlight of the Fringe, chilled out Mr Hodgson, of The Causeway, takes the fame in his stride.
"The awards party wasn't my thing at all," he said. "There were a lot of media types there. It was terrifying. They were all over me, sticking cameras in my face. I don't mind it now and again but I can't handle it all the time."
Talking about his speech on the night, he said: "I hate it when people are witty when they win things so I just thanked a lot of people."
Mr Hodgson, who has made it into the semi-finals of two shows, the BBC New Comedy Awards and So You Think You're Funny on Channel 4 told how the character he plays on stage is a terminal fantasist. "He has not got a grip on what's real and what isn't," he said.
He took inspiration from his hometown for a lot of his show.
Mr Hodgson won the award without backing from any agency. He said: "Me and my mum put the money together so I hope it proves you don't need to be part of a big agency to do what I've done."
The Perrier Awards are the comedy industry's answer to the Oscars, but Mr Hodgson said: "I'll have to sit and think about what I'm going to do. I'll be glad to get home so I can think about it." One plan, soon to be revealed, involves teaming up with some big acts.
Comedian and Times columnist Kate Capstick has already tipped him for the big-time, but Mr Hodgson said he'd think twice before taking just anything offered to him.
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