Jimeoin – Q and A

Q: Your new show is entitled ‘Is it…?!’…could you explain that?

They are just stupid titles- it doesn’t really mean anything, previously I had ‘what!?’ and before that ‘yes, yes, whatever…?!’…so yeah it’s just having a laugh really

Q: What was the inspiration behind your new set? Is there a secret to how you become inspired with these ideas?

Jokes! Itchy funny little jokes and thoughts. Then I try and piece them together so there’s a flow as far as the narrative is concerned. The narrative comes after the jokes though, first and foremost is the jokes.

Q: So in everyday life, are you always forming your next ‘set’ so-to-speak?

Yeah you are just living a life really, just wandering around in your bubble

Q: Is this your first time performing at the Warwick Arts Centre, of course a stone’s throw away from where you were born, in Leamington? How do you expect it might differ from other venues you have performed in?

No, it’s the third time. Yeah, a good cracking throw, but yeah it’s not that far. It’s a good crowd, and this tour has been going really well as a result of being on a few TV shows- it’s gone from being a small crowd to a much bigger one. Scotland and Ireland has always been good but now Middle England too- it’s been really encouraging. It doesn’t really [differ], I’m just doing a gig.

Q: What is your favourite venue or place to perform in the world?

The Warwick Arts Centre. Definitely. You can never say it’s going to be a repeat of the last time you were in the Palladium in London, there’s always a couple of rubbish ones, and there’s too many variables (other than the venue alone). It’s not like a play, it’s more a part of real life, people are all part of the experience.

Q: How hard is it to perform with a similar set on a tour like this every night and still keep it fresh?

Some people do exactly the same thing but I really try and change it a lot. I’m doing a gig in Crewe, last night I did Shrewsbury and I met these people who are coming to the show again- so just for a laugh I’m going to try and do a different show again. Sometimes I do it as a way of trying to remember some old jokes.

Q: So do you think it’s important on a tour like this to change it up a bit in every set?

For the way in which my brain/set works yeah, I think it’s very important.

Q: You’ve appeared on the biggest of stages- including the hit TV show Live at the Apollo and even the Royal Variety Performance. Who in your experience are the best comedians to work with?

One that just keeps it light in between the takes and is flippant. If you can bring that fun element to the whole thing it really helps. Michael McIntyre was really up, as an MC on his show, a very fun comic to be around. I just enjoy people messing around really!

Q: Do you have any favourite moments or funny stories that you’d like to share?

More often than not the funnier moments and nights occur when I’m in the company of real friends as opposed to other comedians. Yeah Live at the Apollo– they have four comedians do the gigs and only three make it on air. They have one extra in case someone dies (as in jokes didn’t get a laugh) and then they don’t really have a show to put on. Then they do a series of photographs with you, Sarah Millican, Michael McIntyre etc, then they switch it around so you are not the one in the photo. You are thinking the whole way through, “am I the guy they are gonna drop?!” This thought is in the mind of everyone in these moments.

Q: And who would you say is your personal favourite stand-up?

Big fan of Micky Flanagan at the moment, I enjoy his stuff. I find his turn of phrase and just him really funny. He really has a life to reflect on as opposed to going straight from university student to stand up so it’s kind of interesting

Q: Your style of comedy is sometimes labelled ‘observational’ comedy- what do you think makes you unique as a comedian?

Haha! Everyone’s unique really- my take on things I suppose.

Q: Do you have a favourite joke?

In my set at the moment- well, sometimes these things don’t really work on paper when you don’t have the face expressions and the timing and all that.

Q: In terms of your famous moves in the past such as the eyebrows and the birdwalks, what are you favourites?

The washing machine one is one of my favourites. I have loads of bits people quote to me, which is nice.

Q: Does it get hard to keep rolling out a comedy set on the days when perhaps you aren’t feeling quite so happy or funny?

Yes in a sense, but no- I can turn it on in that hour or hour and a half that I’m on stage. It’s the same with any job really, but yes.