Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?
Hello Reader, I’m Jack I’m from Hull and my favourite food is a kebab.
How would you describe your show?
My show is about how I got into Showbiz, from working in retail to being banned from the Magic Circle, whilst also talking about my influences from Saturday Night Entertainers. I think it has something for everyone I want it to be a fun and enjoyable hour where people can just forget all their troubles and watch a silly northern man tit about for a bit.
Why do you want to perform at Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Because its such a great place to be, I can see some of the best comedians and theatre shows in the world, discover things I’d never thought I’d see, meet people I’d never thought I’d meet, get 2 hours sleep over 25 days and then to top it all off I get to perform my show.
Its always been something I wanted to tick off my comedy bucket list being able to say that I did my own show at The Edinburgh Fringe and for family members to look and me say ‘‘What’s that then?’’.
What differentiates it from other festivals?
The length – I think if Glastonbury was this long there would be no survivors.
There is just something different in the air, I remember when I first visited in 2012 and I fell in love with the place, I feel like I’ve found somewhere which gives me the same feeling Christmas did when I was a child which is a mixture of love and disappointment.
What first motivated you to enter the industry? Who were your inspirations?
I first started performing when I was 10 and I became a magician. I was inspired by people like Penn and Teller and Tommy Cooper and I loved performing comedy magic. Eventually I realized I wanted a social life and dropped the magic and turned to the comedy, my main comedy influence has always been Lee Evans but I take lots of inspiration from people like Eric Morecambe, Norman Wisdom, Bruce Forsyth. I’ve never really wanted a normal job comedy is just something that has always felt right.
If you didn’t have your current job, what would you probably be doing?
I’d probably still be at Primark picking peoples shoes off the floor and catching the clothes that they threw at me.
Although things still get thrown at me dependent on what gig I’m at.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
I wish I could sing like Frank Sinatra and have my own show in Las Vegas.
What is your earliest childhood art memory?
I’ve always been a keen artist. It’s what inspired me to become legendary street artist Banksy.
Just please don’t tell anyone.
Do you ever feel any pressure to be a social commentator, or constantly update material to respond to events?
No I just want my comedy to be a bit silly and fun and I don’t think anyone would take anything I say seriously anyway! I think its great that comedy like this exists though I just don’t think its within me to talk about these issues as much as audiences enjoy comedy like that I think its also nice to have some escapism from it.
Equally, do you think there has been a shift in public sentiment that has affected your work?
I don’t think there has been a major shift in what’s funny as what’s funny will always be funny which is funny. It hasn’t personally affected my work but then I think it would be difficult to find anything offensive in what I do.
Describe the last year in 5 words or less?
Was 2018 now it’s 2019.
If you could work with anybody, from any point in history, who would you pick and why?
Bruce Forsyth and Norman Widsom – they were incredible performers and entertainers. I would have loved to perform with them when they collaborated on Sunday Night at The London Palladium. I’d ask Bruce how he could successfully sustain a career over 75 years and still be fresh and entertaining to all the family. For Norman I’d just ask for a masterclass in physical comedy, every move and expression he made was undeniably brilliant and well thought out.
Why would a performer opt to do either a ticketed event or participate in the free fringe? What are the benefits and limitations of both?
I think the Free Fringe is a fantastic thing and something I have been apart of in the past, the reason I wanted to do a paid venue this year is because my show is quite technical and requires a dedicated space and with the free fringe it can be a bit a lottery in terms of getting the room you want. I’ve been very lucky this year to get my dream venue, but I will continue to support and see shows on the free fringe
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take a show up to the fringe?
The best advice would be experience Edinburgh without doing a show first – enjoy it then come back and enjoy it all again with the added stress of performing your show!
When and where can people see your show?
Its at The Pleasance Courtyard in Pleasance Below at 5:45pm- 6:45pm – Every Day apart from the 12th because I’m going to have a lie in and a kebab.
And where can people find, follow and like you online?
Like me on Facebook – Jack Gleadow Comedy
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram - @JackGleadow
Jack Gleadow’s debut stand up show ‘Mr Saturday Night’ will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Below at 545pm from 31st July – 25th August for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
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