MONKEY business is abundant when comedienne Nina Conti arrives at Wycombe Town Hall this week.
The talented 34-year-old ventriloquist, who is the daughter of actors Tom Conti and Kara Wilson, brings her own unique brand of harmless humour with Monkey, her trusty - and rather fluffy - puppet friend in tow.
Nina, who this month won the prestigious Barry Award at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, tells me her latest show is "a hotch potch of
stand-up, sketches and variety, mostly designed by Monkey, of high standards and low impulses.
Her characters range from her own grandfather, who uses ventriloquism to talk to his dead wife, to a one-armed South African voodoo expert with a "special" body part.
But as ever, all her material is anchored steadfastly on to her beloved Monkey.
So how exactly did Nina stumble upon her furry comedy partner?
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"Well, the idea for Monkey probably came about as a result of the first time I got told off as a kid - and every time after that," says Nina, who shares her North London home with husband and fellow comedian Stan Stanley and their young son, Arthur.
"I had all these things I wanted to say, but just couldn't, because they were inappropriate or too explicit. Now I have a character who gives them liberation, which is wonderful."
Having spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Nina was encouraged to try something altogether different when director Ken Campbell presented her with a teach-yourself-ventriloquism kit.
Although she initially laughed at the idea, she soon found she was actually "quite good at this" and started scouting around for a suitable puppet.
Many were deemed "too sinister-looking" for her light-hearted comedy, but then she stumbled across a room in the cottage she then shared, which was heaped with junk.
"I found Monkey in there and knew straight away that he was the one," enthuses Nina. "He even fitted into my handbag quite nicely."
Six years later, Nina and her Monkey have more than made waves on the comedy circuit, winning her the BBC New Comedy Award along the way, as well as an appearance in Christopher Guest's recent film, For Your Consideration.
Nina Conti: Complete And Utter Conti arrives at Wycombe Town Hall on Tuesday, April 29. Tickets: 01494 512000 or www.wycombeswan.co.uk
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