27: Oliver Double

It was a pleasure this week to interview Olly Double, Reader in Drama and Head of Comedy and Popular Performance at the University of Kent where he has been based since 1999. We talk about how his work in stand up emanates from his time as a Drama student in Exeter. Olly grew up in Lincolnshire where his father was an Education Officer and we learn why as a child Olly was frightened of ‘Scooby Doo’ and ghosts as well as what his reaction was when he had a ‘Dr. Who’ book signed by Tom Baker. The conversation moves on to discuss the difference between public profile and personal personae with celebrities, especially in the case of those who have been discredited, and we learn about Olly’s nostalgia for the music of old TV themes. Olly shares his thoughts about working in Higher Education and why he sees himself as an anti-hierarchical person in a profession which is quite hierarchical. He tells us why he’s someone who is uncomfortable with unearned respect and about how he is on a journey like his students, just at a different level. Pop music had a massive influence on Olly when he was growing up, e.g. when watching The Boomtown Rats on ‘Top of the Pops’, and we learn why he’s into synth music and Dead Kennedys. Olly also reminisces about the time when he queued up in the rain for, and missed the beginning of, 'Planet of the Apes', as well as about how 'The Omen' made him rethink what he’d grown up believing in the Church of England. In the final part of the interview we share our experiences of going to see Jim Davidson on stage, which leads to a wider discussion about prejudice and politics, and we learn whether Olly is a looking back or a looking forward type of person. Please note: Opinions expressed are solely those of Chris Deacy and Olly Double and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the University of Kent.