Rob Auton is an award winning stand-up comedian and poet (Dave’s Funniest Joke Of The Fringe award winner, Glastonbury’s Poet In Residence).

Do you have a favourite place in Sussex?

Yes I think I do. There is a campsite (field) on a farm that I stayed in once when I was walking on the South Downs that was pretty good.

I remember staying there and seeing a hot air balloon and a toad in the same evening. Party on.

What do you love most about visiting Sussex?

Waking up in a tent in a farmer’s field to find out that your tent has been surrounded by cows and some of them are starting to determine whether your tent is edible or not.

What advice do you have for your 12-year-old self?

Always be prepared for sudden changes of subject when answering interview questions.

What is your most valued possession?

My body.

What is your biggest regret?

I was going to see Bob Dylan in concert and due to unforeseen circumstances I had a spare ticket. The gig was expensive and had been sold out for ages. I had the intention of selling my ticket at face value but on the way to the venue I saw a busker playing Mr Tambourine Man. Thinking the busker would be delighted at being offered a free ticket I said “You can have this ticket for tonight’s show if you like?” Straight away he said “Where is he playing?” I told him. He seemed annoyed, took the ticket off me and said: ”I’ll have to see.” It was like the worst high five I’ve ever experienced. I regret giving him that ticket. Whether it is my biggest regret I don’t know.

What is your biggest fear?

Going to Hell and visiting the supermarket to discover the self-service checkouts laugh at you when an unexpected item is found in the bagging area.

What is your proudest achievement?

Not getting over confident when gigs go well and not dwelling on them when they go badly.

Which five people (living or dead) would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

Werner Herzog, Michel Gondry, Patti Smith, Tom Waits, Caroline Aherne

Anything else?

Here’s something I found out recently. I used to book to go into the quiet coach when booking a train ticket. I would get annoyed when people spoke on phones or had loud conversations. Now I no longer book a seat in the quiet coach and my fury levels when travelling has gone right down.  Some of the best things I’ve ever heard have been said into telephones on trains by people I don’t know.

 

Bang Said The Gun will be performed at Brighton Festival on May 20 and I’m taking my new solo show, The Hair Show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August for a month-long run.