THE former frontman of chart-topping Chumbawamba says he has been inspired by the next generation ahead of performing his one-man show at The Brindley.

Dunstan Bruce is bringing Am I Invisible Yet? to The Brindley tomorrow, Friday and feels empowered by the youngsters of today.

“It’s a wonderful thing to still feel empowered by a younger generation,” said Dunstan.

“It’s really apparent that a lot of the powerful voices are coming from young people who are taking up the struggle and calling out things. I think that is great.

“When I was growing up, people would say that young people are interested in politics anymore and what are they doing to change the world.

“Now more than ever, I find that a lot of my inspiration comes from the younger generation who are getting out there and making a difference.

“There is a part when I talk about the younger generations and I expanded that because I feel they are very important.”

Dunstan says this one-man show came out of the film made about his time in Tubthumping Chumbawumba.

He continued: “Doing the film and the one-man show was my way of getting myself out of a quagmire where I was wondering what I was doing in my life.

“It pushed me forward and that’s the sort of thing I can do. Maybe my role in life is to simply point out a lot of stuff that people know or understand but don’t articulate themselves and I do.

“It’s a way of bringing people together.

“I’m not good in meetings or demonstrations but I think I have found something that I can do in a way that’s entertaining and inspiring.

“We have got to use our creativity to stand up against everything that is going on in the world.

“You create a place and a space where people come together and it’s almost as though being part of that community is as important as what you actually do.

“It brings people together and you realise you are not alone. It’s a really powerful thing when you realise there are other people who feel the same as you.

“I really like that idea of going out and finding like-minded people and finding people in your community so, in that sense, I am really looking forward to it.”

After three hometown shows in May in Brighton, he is keen to continue to branch out.

“They were really good, I’ve only ever done it in Brighton,” said Dunstan, a Brighton resident.

“It will be nice to branch out – I am ready for that.

“The show is in a good place and I’m looking forward to doing it at different venues.”

Dunstan feels alive and challenged by performing the play – which includes performing lyrics and talking to himself on a screen.

“When I made music documentaries being really envious of the people I was making the music documentary for,” added Dunstan.

“I know how to be on stage and I really enjoy it.

“Now doing the plays, it’s something I have never done and it was really challenging – I was pushing myself.

“Part of the idea of the play is that we step out of our comfort zones and do the things we are most afraid of and I think I am doing that. Life is about taking risks. I never wanted to fade away and be part of the continuum.

“I think I’m never going to retire. I always want to be doing things.

“It’s funny because that all sounds really serious and worthy which it is but it’s weird because I don’t think the actual performance is that at all.

“Initially, I think it’s hard for people to work out what it is because it’s not traditional theatre nor is it sitting in an armchair chatting about the past.

“It’s full of humour which I feel is a really good way to try and talk about things.”

For tickets and information visit www.thebrindley.org.uk or contact the box office on 0151 907 8360.