THE reputation of the monthly Manford’s Comedy Club at Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre has gone international – well, it’s reached Wales at least

“I'm really looking forward to coming to Oswaldtwistle,” said Tudur Owen who will headline Sunday’s show at the venue. “I have heard some really good things from other comedians who have already been there about how good the crowd is.”

A good reaction is something every stand-up is seeking.

“Every time you go out on to that stage there is that little frisson of excitement and nerves,” said Tudur. "You are basically standing in a room full of strangers and you have to win them over.

“You need that buzz of excitement because if you just go through the motions you won’t succeed.

“All kinds of elements go into making it a good night, it’s a bit like getting the planets aligned.

“And I don’t know of a comedian who hasn’t had a show when they’ve come a cropper. But those are the shows you learn from. It’s like you learn to grow an extra layer of skin.

“But when you have a good relationship with the audience nothing beats that feeling. Being a comedian is probably the only job when when you’ve done well you get cheered as you leave work.”

Tudur started out in comedy in the mid Nineties when he was one of the few Welsh language comedians.

“Oh I’m very Welsh,” he laughed, “When I started out because there were so few Welsh language stand-ups I was in great demand.

“But to me comedy is comedy, people laugh at the same things. The only difference at the time was because I was speaking Welsh a lot of people in Wales knew me.

“But then I decided to see how English audiences would react and they seemed to enjoy the routines just as much.”

Being a bi-lingual comedian can lead to a few problems.

“If I’m writing for an English audience I will think in English,” he said. “Occasionally a bit of Welsh might creep in particularly if it’s something off the cuff or reacting to something the audience has said.

“If I’ve been speaking Welsh all day with the family and I’ve a gig in England that night I will listen to Radio 4 all the way to the gig in the car just to re-tune my thoughts.”

Tudor describes his comedy as being fairly personal.

“I’m a middle aged man and I talk about things that have happened to me and things that I’ve thought of,” he said.

One thing which Tudur has yet to bring into his act is his recent battle against prostate cancer.

“I think it’s possibly too raw at this stage,” he said.

“Tudor was diagnosed with cancer in March last year after suspecting something might be wrong and going to see his GP.

“You drive a lot in this job and I found myself having to stop at every service station to go to the toilet,,” he said. “I went to my doctor who did some simple tests and the he came back and said the words everyone dreads – ‘I’m afraid you’ve got cancer’ but he added ‘I think I can get rid of it’.

Having detected the disease early Tudur underwent treatment and now has to go for three-monthly check-ups to monitor his progress. He now helps promote awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of an early diagnosis.

“It’s not the kind of thing men talk about,” he said, “but if you suspect something’s wrong I’d urge you go to you your GP.”

Although not yet part of his routine, Tudur’s experiences have shaped his comedy.

“I certainly appreciate life more now,” he said. “I’m more determined to get on with life and enjoy it.”

Tudur Owen, Manford’s Comedy Club, Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre, Sunday, February 14. Details from 01254 398319