David Baddiel on acting like a kid, loving Cornwall and being saved by goths

Wednesday 29 July, 2015

Your latest book The Parent Agency was published last autumn.  Can you tell us a little about it?

It was inspired by a chat with my son Ezra, who’s now 10, but was 8 at the time. He was talking about Harry Potter and said, “Why doesn’t Harry run away from the Dursleys and go and find some better parents?” I said I don’t know Ez, but that’s given me an idea… which was: to write a novel in which there turns out to be a world where children can chose their own parents. In my book, Barry Bennett, who’s nearly 10, is fed up with his mum and dad, for various reasons, wishes for better parents, and goes through his bedroom wall into a world run by kids - and where he gets to try out five different types of parents before making his mind up about which mum and dad to plump for...

You’ve written many novels in the past - why did you decide to make a foray into children’s writing?

Because when Ezra gave me that idea I just thought: that’s a good idea for a kid’s book. And when I get a good idea, I don’t really stop to think, "but I’m not a (insert whatever genre) writer". I just think I’m a writer, a storyteller, and I’ll use whatever form of story best suits the idea.

Do you think that your history in comedy writing helped with writing for children? All children like to laugh, right?

Yes. I think the thing about being a comedian is you are given licence to stay in touch with the child inside yourself no matter how old you are. If you watch a great comedian - Eric Morecambe for example - he is essentially just brilliant at being a big kid. Adults are only playing at being adults anyway, everyone feels like a kid inside: it’s just if you’re a comedian you don’t have to pretend.

You must be used to standing up in front of a group of drunken adults on a regular basis.  How does doing events in front of children compare?

The kids events have been really brilliant. I like to involve the children - particularly I like to ask them which types of parents they would plump for if they went into the world of the parent agency - and I’ve had some fantastic responses. Some of which sometimes upset their real parents. That’s always a joy when that happens. But it’s also really interesting as a performer to find a space - because it’s always parents and kids - where you can get laughs and/or interest from both adults and children. So far that seems to be happening, and that’s really nice.

We’re delighted to have you at Port Eliot this year - not least since we know you have a longstanding relationship with the county of Cornwall. How did that come about?

My partner, Morwenna Banks, is Cornish. She was born in Flushing, and her dad was a fisherman: his boat was named after her. Most of her family still live down here, and we have a house here, in Coverack, which is a very beautiful sea village on The Lizard. I’ve loved Cornwall since well before Poldark. Or at least, this new series.

And what do you like most about the place?

The proximity to the sea, everywhere. The beauty of so many villages. The road from St. Ives around Lands End. And a general good-nature amongst Cornish people. At least when they find out you have some Cornish connection. I realise that isn’t one thing.

What have been your cultural highlights of the past twelve months?

Poldark, obviously. Books: To Rise Again At A Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris, and Purity by Jonathan Franzen. Music: Most music I listen to comes from 1971 - 1974, tiresomely, but: I saw a band called Flyte recently and liked them. They appear to be young. Also, Morwenna’s godson is in a Grime collective called The Square, and he played me a track called Peng-A-Leng by them. Couldn’t understand a word, but thought it was great.

Have you been a regular festival-goer in the past?  And do any experiences stand out?

No. But I did Curious Arts this year, which is like a mini-Port Eliot, and that’s where I saw Flyte. I did the comedy tent at Glastonbury a couple of times back in the ‘90s. My main experience there was driving onto the site in a Ford Ka Ford had just given me - those were the days - and it sinking immediately into the mud, and having to be rescued by a large number of Goths.

What are you looking forward to about Port Eliot this year?  Is there anyone you’re particularly keen on seeing onsite?

I believe Sara Pascoe is on. She’s fantastic.

And what can the audience at Port Eliot expect from you?

Fun for all the family.