AWARD winning comedian and actor Omid Djalili continues his huge 109-date UK tour of his new show Schmuck For a Night with dates at Bournemouth Pavilion, Friday April 7, and The Anvil, Basingstoke, Monday April 10.

Omid is known to millions for his roles in Hollywood blockbusters and West End appearances, but he started his career in fringe theatre, moving on to the theatres of Central and Eastern Europe in the early ’90s, and then the alternative comedy circuit. And although he’s swapped dingy pub rooms for the big theatres, it’s still live on stage doing stand-up where he’s at his best.

Asked why he has called the tour 'Schmuck for a Night' he said:

"I like the word ‘schmuck’. It means ‘fool’ or buffoon. You have to be a schmuck to do comedy in today’s climate. I’m embracing the schmuck in me to take on the big issues of our day. Plus, it’s a word that ends with ‘uck’ which can only be a good thing. "

And he admits he has calmed down a little with age.

"I've become less frenetic. I used to dance every two minutes in between the stand up. I can’t even remember why. It was mentioned to me that when I danced audiences were laughing at me not with me. So it was either stop dancing or ban my manager from the gigs. "

The show has included material on Brexit, ISIS and Trump but Omid says the show is always changing.

"I think the show will change even while I’m on stage. It’ll be so current sometimes audiences won’t laugh until they get home and turn on the TV."