Comedy Fest Q&A: Jarred Christmas

Comedy Fest Q&A: Jarred Christmas

1)     Tell us the name of your show

SNAFU

2)     Which came first – the show name or the show content?

The content is always there first. I might not know what shape or structure if any, but the content comes first. The name usually comes in a panic when venues and festivals are demanding it. I don’t feel the need to tie my show title in with the content of the show. I think that can bog you down. My show is called “How I dealt with a broken rib, bungee jumping and gay marriage. I will also mention my parents” That’s a bit clunky.

3) Any other working titles for the show?

FUBAR, Jarred Christmas “Don’t call me Pissmass”

4)     How long – honestly- have you been working on this?

Honestly I started working on this straight after the NZ fest last year. I came back to the UK and was building up for a tour, when I tour I do a first section of about an hour and then a 2^nd of roughly 45 minutes. So I beef up the original show with newer material, so hopefully by the end of the tour and year, I will have a new show. Which thankfully is what has happened this time around.

5)     What’s been the biggest challenge of pulling this show together?

The material really. Im telling some longer more personel stories. Last years show was heavily improvised, my aim was to be loose on stage and let the material come out when it did and not force a structure on it. This year I want to offer something different. It will still be loose as that’s my style, but there will be more storytelling. Don’t worry, the stories are funny and peppered with jokes. End of the day Im a comedian, people want to laugh. Its not good enough just being interesting. Im not doing a show at the NZ International Interesting festival.

6)     Who’s your biggest comedy rival – and why?

For shits and giggles I will say my rival is Nick Rado. I very worthy opponent, he is sly, good looking, cunning and very funny. It will be tough to take him down. My best plan so far is to get him while he is on stage. Just chuck a sack over his head, drag him off, lock him in a cupboard, go out and finish his gig and hopefully convert his audience into my audience. I have a feeling if an audience saw that, they would probably report it as a crime. Not may laughs to be had in prison, but at least I wont be up against “Ravishing” Rado.

7)     Who’s your biggest comedy friend – and why?

I have some very close friends in comedy. Although stand up is a very individual art form, there is a close bond between comics. We all know what each other is going through. That makes most of us very supporting. Also you get to hang with some of the funniest people on the planet. I would say my closest friends are: Al Pitcher (kiwi comic who is famous in Sweden) Rhys Darby and his wife Rosie (I met both of them when I first started in CHCH 1998) Nick Rado (although he is also my nemisis, keep your friends close and keep your enemies even closer)

8)     Which show is your must see? Why?

There are a couple. James Acaster, Tom Wrigglesworth and home grown greats James Nokise, Rhys Mathewson, Rhys Darby ( I have not seen a full show of his for years) and Nick Rado (know your enemy)

9)     Give us your definition of a great night out during the festival

My show sells well and we all have a great hour together. Some good friends have come along that I only get to see once a year. We go for some drinks and a late night meal at Tanuki’s cave (Auckland) or Monsoon Poon (Wellington)

10)     What goes through your mind, the minute before curtain goes up?

Panic, excitement, fear, joy, the thought “I need a poo” followed by “No, you have been twice already, you are fine” followed by “I cant feel my hands” followed by “Yes you can, stop being a dick” then I go on.

11)  What about when you’re on stage?

My goal onstage is to always be in the moment and play the room. I hate the feeling of going into auto pilot, if I feel even remotely like that, I will delve into the audiebnce to shake that out of me. It’s a live comedy experience for all involved, so I need to be alive onstage, not dead behind the eyes. I bloody well love it mate.

12)  How easily distracted are you?

I used to be like a magpie, anything shiney in the audience I would go for, but over the years I have learnt to focus. I don’t want to give the audience an hour of fluff with no substance. I get distracted when I need to.

13)  Give us your dream comedy line up

I would host with Loius CK, Tommy Teirnan, Eddie Murphy (Delerious era), Steve Martin, Robin Williams and Nick Rado.

14)  Just finally, where will you be in 5 years’ time

Coming Back to NZ with another show I’m proud of. This time it will be a bit more financially rewarding and I will have my family with me and have a  holiday afterwards. My daughters will be 9 and 7 by then, so we could have some proper kiwi adventures. Bungee jumps, white water rafting, visit Invercargill, the whole gambit.