Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
I’m Jack Harris, a teacher-by-trade who also tells jokes.
How would you describe your show?
In the time it takes to teach a lesson, I’ll teach the audience how to become a teacher. Jokes, multimedia, teacher training. The ultimate trio.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
I get to perform for a month, surrounded by like-minded funny people.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
There’s not many other places in the world that you could watch such a range of comedy by a wealth of excellent acts in a collection of oddly assorted rooms and spaces.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I grew up watching Shooting Stars and Harry Hill’s TV Burp with my family. It was only as I got older that I realised they all started life in live comedy and so I slowly plucked up the courage to give it a go myself.
How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?
Both my parents are very funny people (Dad intentionally, Mum sometimes unintentionally) so that no doubt had some sway in me ending up doing some kind of comedy.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
I remember my mum on stage at a resort in Majorca popping a balloon by squeezing it between her and a German man and it made me burst into tears. I would class this as art, because 25 years later, I’d probably see that same thing in a Fringe show and I’d give it a thumbs up.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I’d be in a classroom, trying and failing to get teenagers to listen to me talk about Physics.
Did Covid-19 change the way you create work? Do you approach shows with a different mentality now?
It meant I did a lot more writing and made me realise that it’s all a bit of a long game. I focused more on making stuff that made me laugh and from that something can come out of it, 6, 12, 24 months down the line.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
A return to live comedy.
Do you subscribe to the idea that art should be exempt from ‘cancel culture’?
I think ‘cancel culture’ is a bit of a myth sold to shift more tickets / books / podcasts / (insert product here).
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
I’d love to meet and shake the hand of the first person who wrote ‘I’m sorry you’re leaving’ in an office birthday card. It’s a great bit and hats off to whoever came up with it.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
Sell an organ. You’ll never look back and think ‘I really regret giving up that kidney to rent out a box room in Leith for a month’.
When and where can people see your show?
My show, Teaching Teachers How To Teach, is on at 13:55 at Just The Tonic’s Mash House.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
I’m a Twitter boy - @JackJMHarris
Jack Harris: Teaching Teachers How To Teach is performing at Just The Tonic's Mash House from 4th to the 28th August. For tickets and more information head to edfringe.com
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