We have all heard of comedians dying on stage – however, not many comics make death the central part of their routines.

But then James Acaster has always been a bit different. For his new show Represent, James focuses on his time spent on jury service for a murder trial. Fortunately, it is a lot funnier than it sounds.

“It’s called Represent because it sounds mega gangsta,” says the award-winning TV funnyman, who has made his name on shows like Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Nevermind The Buzzcocks and Russell Howard’s Good News.

“It’s also because I talk about courtroom issues in the show and if you’re in court then you’d better get someone to represent you,” he goes on.

With his previous show dealing with his secret life as an undercover detective, a definite crime fighting theme seems to be emerging. Should we expect more?

“You can expect this to continue for one more show,” he says. “This is the second show in a crime fighting trilogy, not that you need to have seen the first one to understand it.

And, his choice of outfit – coloured maroon – is related. What is the reasoning behind the sartorial selection?

“You will have to do some detective work,” he says enigmatically. “Basically, watch the show, listen out for when I mention something being red, then go home and google why that thing is red and you will know the answer to your question.”

James describes his style of comedy as “just telling it like it is”, and it works, earning him Best Comedy Show at the Edinburgh Fringe festivals for the past four years and seeing him take home the Best International Show Award at last year’s New Zealand International Comedy Festival.

We’ve also been seeing more and more of him on the telly recently. So, which does he prefer, TV work or the stage?

“They are different, of course, and that’s what makes them fun. On TV you get to work with a lot of other comics, whereas live stuff is usually just you on your own. Plus it’s okay if you ‘eff and jeff’ live!”

After a storming set at Glee in Oxford, he returns to the county for a show at the Cornerstone in Didcot tomorrow.

Is there anything unusual that he can’t live without when touring?

“A bow and arrow for protection,” he deadpans. “We’re going all over the UK so you can never be too careful.”

And, given his reputation for being able to work a crowd, what would he say is the key to tackling a heckler?

“Pepper spray.”

As well as making light of jury service, Acaster also has a laugh at something which will shortly be affecting us all: Christmas.

And does he have any distinct Acaster Christmas traditions? In the Acaster house we like eating avocados stuffed with prawns in a garlic mayonnaise,” he starts.

“And then we chase a blindfolded reindeer round the garden!”

SEE IT
James Acaster plays the Cornerstone in Didcot tomorrow.
Tickets from cornerstone-arts.org