COMEDIAN Jason Byrne has been described as "the mad Irishman" and speaking to him ahead of his new show, which arrives in High Wycombe this week, it quickly becomes apparent why.

We start off by discussing the unusual title for his latest touring gig, Shy Pigs With Wigs Hidden In Twigs.

"Well, the title has no reference to the show at all," says the Dublin-born funny man in between stifled laughs. "You don't get to see any twigs or wigs or even pigs, so I guess it's quite obscure."

However, delving a little deeper into the 35-year-old performer's career, I do discover that he has something of an obsession with animals, albeit quite an innocent one.

His previous shows have included The Lovely Goat Show, as well as Sheep For Feet And Rams For Hands.

So I feel on quite safe ground to ask him precisely what he likes about animals, even if they do fail to appear in his new show.

He replies: "I suppose it's because they always make me laugh.

"We have a King Charles spaniel and you can just pick them up and carry them as a scarf, if you want. They're great, especially the way mine just jumps up and down all day long. It reminds me of a little kangaroo."

His answer seems quite endearing, although a little off the point and non-sensical, but that's precisely what lies at the heart of Jason's unique brand of humour.

In his latest show, the chaos predictably continues, helped along by Jason's knack of involving the audience wherever possible.

He explains: "One thing I get people to do is rob stuff during the interval and bring it back to me.

"I always tells them to give everything back that they have taken and definitely no cash, bags or targeting old people.

"In my last gig, someone actually took my microphone, the stand, the table, everything.

"Another time, there was this guy who stole an ice shovel from the bar and slipped it into his wife's pocket without her knowing.

"Some people believe I actually use plants in the audience, but the fact is I'm way too lazy to be that organised. These people are all real!"

Another highlight of Jason's latest show is his attempt to perform some magic, but scrap any thoughts of this being anywhere near the standards of David Copperfield or Houdini.

"I do this floating trick with a pair of trousers," Jason enthuses. "I think most magicians would look at this and think it was disgraceful.

"Growing up I was a huge fan of Tommy Cooper, so this is a bit of a tribute to him. I loved the way he took it so seriously when it just completely wasn't.

"I'm a huge fan of rubbish magic. I did actually try sawing someone in half once, but that was a complete disaster - the box collapsed! But at least that got everyone laughing. I also thought about doing something with spinning plates, but they kept smashing, so the health and safety guys soon put an end to that."

Away from the stage, Jason insists that he's not at all the mad self he otherwise portrays. "I'm definitely not that manic, I'd be really annoying," he tells me earnestly.

But that said, the married comedian's life is far from quiet either, thanks to the recent birth of his second son. "Oh, I haven't slept at all over the last month," laments Jason. "I'd love to be an insomniac, then at least I'd have an excuse. It's great being a father, but the exhaustion is unbelievable."

Jason left his job with a lighting company and burst onto the comedy scene ten years ago. He has since won a string of accolades including Best Headliner at last year's Chortle Awards.

He has also ventured into the world of television, including his own hit Irish TV show, Anonymous, as well as appearances on Father Ted, Stuck In The Middle and Lenny Henry In Pieces.

More recently, he starred alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Martin Short and Gene Wilder in a film adaptation of Alice In Wonderland.

But it's during his live stand-up shows that Jason says he feels most at home.

He adds: "I never thought comedy would be my life routine. In some ways, I'm still waiting for my old job to ring up and ask me to come back. But the truth is I'm having too much fun out there."

Jason Byrne: Shy Pigs With Wigs Hidden In Twigs arrives at Wycombe Town Hall on Thursday, February 28, 7.30pm. Details: 01494 512000 or www.wycombeswan.co.uk