Banstead comedian Tim Vine will be showing off some new material at Lantern Arts Centre and the cornerHOUSE in the next couple of weeks and here he talks to GRAHAM MOODY about being a patron of both, having a role in Aussie soap Neighbours and seeing his BBC sitcom cancelled.

Graham Moody: You're a patron of both LAC and the cornerHOUSE aren't you?

Tim Vine: Yes, LAC asked me last year and I thought why not? It's the same story with the cornerHOUSE really. All it involves is me saying they are great places and they are. I like these places where I can try out new stuff and fail in front of people and it doesn't matter. Plus it's local and if I have got loads of props to take around it is nice not to have to travel miles to take them there. I first performed at the cornerHOUSE when it was still the Douglas Centre in 1995, doing my Edinburgh show. I know a lot of people there so it is kind of like rent-a-crowd, they hear I am doing a show and come along.

GM: Will you be showcasing some new material?

TV: Yes it is all new material I have written over the last couple of months. I'm touring for six weeks next year so I am getting an hour long show together now. Some jokes feel like I need to try them again and some are already definitely in, but most of them live in some sort of grey limbo at the moment.

GM: You're not performing at Edinburgh this year but will you go up there anyway?

TV: No probably not as I find it quite hard to be up there if I don't have a show, I don't feel part of the gang. When you are a comedian and you are not doing a show you feel jealous of everyone else that is.

GM: What advice would you give to someone going there for the first time?

TV: Go to some of the shows that everyone says are must sees but also pick out some things you know nothing about and go on pot luck. Some will be rubbish but you might also stumble on some real gems.

GM: You've got a guest appearance in Neighbours coming up haven't you?

TV: Yes, it's due to air in Australia this month I think. I was doing the Melbourne Comedy Festival and I said to my agent slightly as a joke to try and get me on and the next thing the executive producer was calling me. I was a lost tourist but my character was a bit of an idiot as I walk up to someone asking where Lassiter's is when there is a sign for it right above my head.

GM: The BBC sitcom you star in Not Going Out was cancelled this year, was that a shock?

TV: I was slightly surprised but I have been on the receiving end of those weird decisions before. What normally happens is someone new comes in and they make a few changes and want to make their mark, that's what happened here. We did three series though and they are airing the last episode at Christmas. I think they should have gone another couple of series though as the ratings grew gradually throughout the last one.

Tim Vine, Lantern Arts Centre, Tolverne Road, Raynes Park, July 24, 8pm, £10. Call 0208 944 5794 or visit lanternarts.org. The cornerHOUSE, Douglas Road, Surbiton, August 7. Call 020 8296 9012 or visit thecornerhouse.org.