Liverpool has always been the centre of culture - and almost everyone there’s got Irish blood in them

Jun 13 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE mastermind behind tomorrow’s Three Fellas comedy show admits to having last-minute nerves ahead of what he calls his “homecoming gig”.

Promoter Mick Perrin, one of the biggest names in the business, says it has been an ambition of his to fill then Echo Arena Liverpool with comedy, ever since he heard it was going to be built.

And tomorrow night, it will all come to fruition, with Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, Black Books creator and star Dylan Moran, and Irish comedy superstar Tommy Tiernan appearing in this one-off show.

Perrin, 53, was born at the docks and grew up on an estate in Thornton, leaving the city when he was 17 to pursue a career in a punk band.

Through his early day connections in the music scene, he began to meet up-and-coming entertainers such as the likes of Eddie Izzard.

These friendships eventually turned professional as Perrin moved into tour managing, and eventually promotion.

Before this, though, he was the production manager of the international phenomenon Stomp, featuring a dance troupe who created their own music through junkyard items.

“I was production manager and spent many years with Stomp, which led to me getting to know the variety and comedy circuits,” Perrin explains.

“From there, I ended up as tour manager to lots of acts like Ardal O’Hanlon and Eddie Izzard. I went from there into producing and promoting.”

Perrin began as Moran and Tiernan’s tour manager when they were working their way up on the comedy circuit.

Today, his acts include Paul Merton, Simon Amstell, Ross Noble, and Armstrong & Miller.

“I’m a huge fan of all of theirs. I’m totally passionate about what I do and the guys I work with,” he says.

“I don’t know why I became associated with lots of Irish acts like Dylan, Tommy and Ardal.

“As soon as I heard Liverpool was Capital of Culture and the new Arena was being built, I thought why not take the Irish back into Liverpool, and celebrate those links.

“Almost everyone in Liverpool has Irish blood in them, and this would be a fantastic way to celebrate the city’s Irish culture and heritage. Liverpool has always been the centre of culture, like in the 60s there was The Beatles and football. It’s a fantastic new venue and this will be the first comedy act.”

Perrin is credited with bringing comedy to Arenas in the first place. It was Eddie Izzard who started the trend in 2005. Bill Bailey, also one of Perrin’s acts, recently followed suit with his Tinselworm tour.

Although it may seem that comedy acts would be more at home in clammy clubs or ornate theatres, Perrin is an advocate of the stadium show and says it creates an intimate experience.

“I could sit at the very top seats and the big screen and the sound quality are superb,” he explains.

“So my argument will be, it is an occasion, it’s a fantastic event, and it’s a great place to be with thousands of people seeing the stuff they really want to see.

“For my money, it’s actually better to be surrounded by thousands of people there as part of a fab day out, and this is really a one-off. These guys don’t generally appear at the same venue and can sell out shows like this in their own right.

“In Tommy’s case, in Ireland, only U2 sell more tickets than him. He’s a massive star over there.

“Dylan and Ardal have both been here many times, and it’s a big thing for any of them to play in front of 10,000 people.”

Each comic will play their own set, with warm up and compering by Liverpool’s own John Bishop.

“The title the Three Fellas, it’s like a play on the Three Tenors,” Perrin says.

“They are all so different and the only connection is the fact they are Irish. They are three incredibly talented individuals.

“In terms of staging it at the Arena, it’s very special. I can’t say exactly what it is, but it’s not like anything else.

“I think the Arena is fantastic and it will be interesting to see how the city takes it on. Now it’s here, if I’ve got an act that can play Arenas, I will definitely come to Liverpool with it.

“I always make sure my tours come to Liverpool as I have got family in Crosby and Wat erloo.”

* THE Three Fellas is at the Echo Arena Liverpool tomorrow, and there are still some tickets available on 0844 8000400.