We are about to enjoy more of Rich Hall's unique, crotchety comedy, as he is setting off on a nationwide tour: Rich Hall: Live.

Rich’s straight-talking and acerbic comedy leaves his targets reeling and audiences in stitches. He sends up whichever country he is in, but perhaps reserves his most trenchant scorn for his native USA.

In the run-up to the tour, Rich takes some time out to chat with me. You will no doubt be very pleased to learn that this particular comedian is just as funny in an interview as he is on stage.

Rich begins by underlining how excited he is to be performing live once again: “I love being on stage. I love the fact that when a live show is over, it’s gone. It's happened and it will never happen like that again. It can’t be replicated. That’s a great magical moment.”

Rich, who is also an accomplished author and has released three books, Magnificent Bastards, I Blame Society and Things Snowball, all published by Abacus Books, thrives on the spontaneity of live comedy.

“In every single show, there are always two or three moments where I’m thinking, ‘Wow, where did that come from?’ You’re constantly thinking on your feet.”

One of the many unique features of Rich’s act is that he goes out of his way to find out about the town he is playing in and then improvises a song on stage about it. He goes the extra mile to tailor-make his material for that particular venue.

The comedian explains: “I try to tap into what is happening locally and address that musically by writing an improvised song based on the town I’m in.”

Audiences really appreciate this bespoke comedy. “Once they realise you're not just trotting out your regular act, people think ‘He’s made a real effort. He’s on our side, so we're on his side.” Then you can take them anywhere.

"I like to do something custom-made every night, otherwise you would just be like a robot. That can really wear you down. Nobody gets more sick of hearing their own voice than a comedian.”

Rich, who was also enjoyed huge success as his country and western musician alter ego, Otis Lee Crenshaw, carries on that, “When you're improvising a song, you think, 'I may never do this on again, but it’s a special moment for everyone here’.

"You want to reach the point where audiences say, ‘I’d like to see that guy again’. You want to deliver the goods and be Old Reliable.”

Rich goes on to reflect: “Music works in my show because it connects with people on a very personal level. A lot of comedians just come on stage and say, ‘I was on a bus and I passed so and so.”

"But that’s just a reaction to something rather than a specific, custom-made song that engages people. The magic is more important than the material. People really respond to that.”

The stand-up's other trademark is anger, and he is capable of using that to very effective comic ends. Rich comments: “It is always good to articulate anger. If you don’t, you’re merely preaching to the converted and asking, ‘Have you ever noticed?’ Yes, we are paying you to notice things we haven’t already noticed!”

The comic will be addressing the question of whether the extraordinary, controversial businessman Donald J Trump can win the Republican nomination. “People come up to me all the time and ask if Trump can do it, but I promise you, he will not win.”

“There is a lot of gnashing of teeth about Trump, but it’s merely entertainment. He’s doing what he has to do to get attention. He is saying the most outrageous things and tapping into a collective sense of anger.”

But, Rich adds, “Eventually Trump will come under the same scrutiny as everyone else. ‘So you want to build a giant wall along the border and make the Mexicans pay for it? How are you going to do that, then?’”

The only positive benefit of Trump, Rich believes, is that he is forcing the other Republican candidates actually to say something substantial.

The comedian reckons: “If the people running had their way, no one would be watching the campaign at all. But when Trump comes along, everyone has to react and talk about issues – and candidates hate that. God forbid that they have to talk about issues!”

Before he has to go, Rich reflects once more on what he loves so much about touring. “I’m not a big showbiz hound” he muses, “but for me being on stage is the most satisfying thing imaginable.”

A sentiment with which Rich’s legions of fans would no doubt wholeheartedly agree.

Wycombe Swan Theatre, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE, Saturday, September 24, 8pm. Details: 01494 512000, wycombeswan.co.uk

By James Rampton.