“People say stand-up comedy is the hardest thing in show business, but I am going to say it’s tap dancing,” declares Jason Manford.
And thanks to his starring role in UK tour of The Producers - which arrives in Milton Keynes tomorrow (Monday, March 30)– Jason is now well versed in both.
How confident were you that you could pull it off when you said ‘yes’ to the role of Leo Bloom in Mel Brooks’ smash hit comedy?
“You’ve got to have a little bit of belief in yourself, and think ‘I think I can do that’” he reasons.
“If I think it’s something impossible, I’ll just say.
“I’ve got a sense of rhythm, and I don’t embarrass myself at a wedding, so I thought I’d try it.
“It was something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Mind you, our Jason has been suffering for his art.
“I just keep hurting myself,” he admits, “I think it’s my body asking ‘What are we doing?’
For the uninitiated, The Producers is a smash hit Broadway comedy that has taken three Olivier Awards and a dozen Tony Awards – that’s a record, by the way.
Impoverished by a string of flops, New York producer Max Bialystock recruits timid accountant Leo Bloom to help him pull of Broadway’s greatest scam.
They aim to produce the worst show ever and run away with millions, but they learn that showbusiness can kick you in the teeth.
“It is so funny,” Jason tells me, en route to ITVs This Morning show for a natter with Ruth and Eamonn to plug the show.
“...I mean really, really funny.
“It is just on that right side of shocking – there are some moments where you catch your breath and think ‘I can’t believe they get away with that,’ but it is done in such a charming way.
“The main bit is when they perform Springtime for Hitler, which is this big Nazi musical, but because it is written by a Jewish comedian, it is just on the right side of shocking, and that’s what I love about it.
“If you can’t take the mickey out of the Nazi’s, who can you take the mickey out of?”
The Producers is a cracking cast all round – a pat on the back for the person responsible for pulling in Phill Jupitus (as Franz) and Corey English (as Max).
A couple of faces familiar with MK panto fans will make their return too – David Bedella, who starred as Hook to Bradley Walsh’s Smee last ChrIstmas, and Louis Spence, star of 2012s run of Cinderella.
“For a muggle, a non-comedian, Corey is really funny.
“We are getting on and making each other laugh and I imagine there are going to be some naughty moments on stage. And Louie! What a dancer.
"I have never seen anyone move like that.”
While Jason is spreading the love, he must just mention the rest of the cast.
“I have never seen such unbelievable choreography and dancing, the ensemble are amazing,” he gushes.
“They amaze me more than the main cast really. They have so much to do.
“A lot of them have come off Singin’ in the Rain and Billy Elliott – real dancing shows.”
And not forgetting the story: “There is loads of jokes as well as a brilliant, funny storyline. It’s the perfect storyline in a way.”
Jason’s run in The Producers will see him through to mid-July and means you won’t see much of him on the gogglebox for a wee while, although his superb lead role in BBC1 drama Ordinary Lies a couple of weeks back was a total treat.
“While I’m on the tour, I won't really be working on anything TV wise which is great in a way, because it gives everyone a rest.
“You don’t want to become the ‘Oh it’s him again’ guy,” he says.
“There is a point in your career where you just have to say yes to everything to pay the bills and get out there.
“Then you get to the point where you go, ‘I’m gonna do QI, I’m gonna do Have I Got News for You and Would I Lie To You?,'” he says, mentioning some of his favoured small screen outlets.
“That’s a nice place to be in, to be able to pick and choose the things I want to do.”
But if you really can't get by without your Jason fix on the small screen, flick the remote to Dave: “...I’m everywhere with the endless repeats!” he says with a laugh.
Jason – who also helps support rising comedians with his Manford Comedy Clubs, now operating at more than 20 venues around the country – will be hard at work between performances, though.
This seasoned comedian, actor, writer and television presenter has plenty to keep him occupied.
“I’ve got a tour to write, a sitcom to write and I am working on a children’s cartoon,” he shares.
Reasons to be cheerful, one, two three...
The Producers runs through to Saturday, April 4.
To book tickets call 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
