Copy tat - likeable rogue takes show on road

Australian Heath Franklin aka Chopper will be in the Bay for a show at Napier Municipal Theatre tomorrow night.

When meeting the notorious criminal you have been channelling since 2003, it pays not to be dressed as him.

Australian comedian Heath Franklin should know - he had the experience of coming face to face with the real life Chopper Read, before he died of liver failure, last year.

Franklin met his hulking muse, wearing permanent marker tattoos and a faux handlebar moustache, for a photo shoot which he described as, "bizarre".

"I was dressed as him - as a general rule you don't meet people dressed as them, it's weird," he said. "The photographer had some interesting ideas about getting Chopper to put me in a headlock, so that was scary."

Fortunately, the former prisoner, famous for having a fellow inmate cut his ears off, didn't try to pick apart the comedian's representation of his character.

"He didn't say a thing".

Franklin was inspired to use the Chopper as inspiration for stand up after seeing the film, starring Eric Bana, in 2003.

"I always knew Chopper existed, he put himself out there, but it wasn't until I saw the film that I became obsessed, he's just a fascinating person.

"One of the things that appealed to me is the fact that he obviously has an incredibly messed up past, but he's almost roguishly charming. It's like, why am I on your team? You're a horrible person but for some reason I'm drawn to you."

Each time he prepares for a show, Franklin uses permanent marker to draw on numerous body tattoos, which mimic those of the real man.

With an arsenal of new material he's back in the country showcasing his latest skit, Repeat Offender, which debuted at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival last week.

"It's about Chopper's tendency to say things that are a little bit naughty, but also the idea that if you do the same thing over and over it's a little bit like insanity.

"It's about Chopper giving up a lot, to a certain extent he has been getting away with a lot for a long time, and at some point consequences catch up."

While this show will be all about his alter ego, Franklin recently started doing stand up as himself, something that had taken a bit of adjustment.

"I think a lot of people know me as that Chopper guy so it can be difficult to cross over".

Vibe caught up with the comedian in Australia, before his 14-date tour, which includes a gig at Napier Municipal Theatre tomorrow night.

"I have always had a really good time in Hawke's Bay, I usually come to Hastings, this time I'm in Napier which will be interesting - it's always good to mix things up."

It was one of many visits Franklin made to New Zealand - as a guest on 7 Days it was not unusual for him to hop back and forth across the Ditch on a regular basis.

"I'm quite happy to make a trip, for the show, it's a ridiculous amount of fun to do ... I almost feel guilty that I'm getting paid to do it."

Catch Chopper at Napier Municipal Theatre from 7.30pm. Tickets start from $38.90 plus booking fee, available from Ticketek.