Rosie Jones on comedy & becoming a comedian

A comedian, who will be familiar to viewers of The Last Leg, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Live at the Apollo; a writer with credits including Would I Lie to You? and Sex Education; an actor who’s appeared in Silent Witness. And on top of all that, she’s found herself earning due acclaim for her appearance on BBC’s Question Time. So yeah, she gets about a bit.

On Sunday 17 January, Jones returns to arguably her happiest of roles, that of a stand-up comic, as she joins us at the Southbank Centre for a special streamed gig as part of Unlimited festival, Abnormally Funny People. Somehow, in between going viral for grilling Matt Hancock and writing yet more material, Jones found the time to talk to us about how she got into comedy, and why she won’t be giving it up for politics any time soon.

So, was stand-up comedy something you’ve always wanted to do?

Actually, no, not really; I wanted to be a writer. I was always a ‘behind the camera’ sort of person and after university I pursued a career in television, as a researcher working on comedy panel shows. I really enjoyed it but I would watch the comedians and think, ‘I could do that’, so eventually I tried doing a stand-up set, at a tiny comedy club in Dalston and it was love at first-sight. Since then, I’ve not looked back!

How did it feel, that first time you stood out on stage?

It was daunting, but actually it felt weirdly familiar to me. After I got my first laugh, I was off, and hungry for the next one! Even now, I’m my happiest when I’m on stage, performing comedy.

For those who haven’t seen your stand-up before, how would you describe yourself as a comedy performer?

Hmmm, some people call me outrageous, but I prefer to describe myself as, ‘cheeky’. I definitely enjoy pushing the boundaries and challenging people’s perceptions about me. I mainly talk about my life, and what it’s like to be a little Northern disabled lesbian in her thirties.

“After I got my first laugh, I was off, and hungry for the next one! Even now, I’m my happiest when I’m on stage.”

Rosie Jones on performing

Who was, or indeed is, your comedy inspiration?

Oh, so many inspirations. French & Saunders, Victoria Wood, Joan Rivers, Bridget Christie, Billy Connolly, the list goes on. They all use language, rhythm and musicality in their comedy, and understand that the key to good stand up is the writing.

Though you’re perhaps best known as being a stand-up, you’ve also written for a number of shows, and done straight-acting. Which do you enjoy doing the most?

Well I think that’s the beauty of my career right now; I don’t need to choose! So some days I’m performing comedy, other days I have an acting job, and then there are days where I write. Everyday is different – it’s hard to get bored.

You recently, very notably, appeared on Question Time; what was that experience like?

It was a bit different than performing on Live at the Apollo that’s for sure! I kept having to remind myself that I didn’t have to tell jokes. But I really enjoyed it; it was a different challenge for me.

As a disabled comedian, I never want to speak for disabled people; I just speak for myself. But to be given that platform, sat next to the current Health Secretary, I wanted to speak on behalf of disabled people, because I feel like we’re an ignored minority right now. Saying that though, I don’t think I’ll be pursuing a career in politics anytime soon.

Comedians often have different views on heckling at gigs; whether it’s part of the job or an annoyance. What’s your view on it?

Oh I love a good heckle! But let’s be clear, there’s a difference between a heckle and an obnoxious person. If it’s a single comment; go for it, it usually spices a gig up, but the heckler needs to know when to pipe down and to leave it to the professionals.

You’re joining us for a night with the refugee and migrant collective, No Direction Home, how did you first become aware of the group?

My good friend and fellow comedian Tom Parry runs the group, and when he asked me to be part of the comedy night I absolutely jumped at the chance to. It’s such a brilliant and important collective.

And after this, where can we see, or hear you, next?

Oh I get about a bit; here and there! I co-host the podcast Daddy Look At Me with brilliant comedian Helen Bauer, and I’m on Instagram and Twitter, @josierones.

No Direction Home