Catherine Tate, long established and recognised in the street in the UK, hits Australian circuit
FOR someone not on social media or mainstream TV, how is English actor and comedian Catherine Tate known in Australia?
Confidential
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CATHERINE Tate is genuinely surprised people outside of the UK know who she is.
Famous for her work on The Catherine Tate Show, coining phrases such as, “Am I bovvered”, and starring in Dr Who, Tate is not on any form of social media and has been surprised at being recognised in Australia this week.
“I am a naturally pessimistic performer where you think, ‘Well, no one knows who I am’,” Tate told Confidential.
“When I first did the TV show, I was genuinely surprised they were going to put this out on the actual television, that people would be sitting in their lounge rooms and I would come on.
“It is always a very pleasant surprise and a joy.”
Not only is Tate recognised on the street for her character comedy, she has been awarded some of the industry’s top honours, including being nominated for an International Emmy Award and seven BAFTAs.
Tate’s tour will kick off in Perth on November 10 with stops at the Newcastle Civic Theatre on November 23 and Sydney’s State Theatre on the 24th of that month.
Sitting down at the InterContinental Hotel, Tate shows off a large hole on her right sleeve where she’d attempted to iron her shirt before the interview.
In a wide-ranging interview, the 50-year-old spoke on subjects ranging from her disdain for “domesticity” to the fact she can’t drive.
“The bar for me being impressed is quite low,” she said.
“If people can drive, I think you are demigods.
“It is something I believe will escape me my whole life, driving.
“I really don’t like cooking. I have never cooked a roast.”
Known for pushing boundaries with her characters, Tate waded into the recent debate sparked by a number of Aussie comedians, including Kevin Bloody Wilson, telling The Daily Telegraph political correctness was killing the industry.
“I think there are people who will always wilfully misconstrue what is clearly not aimed at offending,” Tate said.
“I hope if we all keep our heads together, we will be able to carry on having a laugh …
“There is nothing funny about being cruel or being offensive and alienating people.
“Comedy is supposed to unite and bring everyone together and I think it is through what filter you see it through.”