Jason Manford talks ahead of his gig at Arena Birmingham
He’s been steadily progressing through the ranks by playing bigger and bigger venues. And now Manchester comedian Jason Manford is ready to join comedy’s super league as he headlines Arena Birmingham tonight.
The funnyman has become a household name after being a team captain on the Channel 4 panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats from 2007 until 2010. He has also presented numerous television shows for the BBC and ITV including Comedy Rocks, The One Show, Show Me the Funny, A Question of Sport: Super Saturday and Bigheads.
It’s been a busy few years for Jason since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know the nationally-acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit.
Tonight, he’ll present a new show called Muddle Class, which promises to feature a wealth of new material about Jason growing up ‘working class’ then finding, over the years, that part of him has become ‘middle class’ – causing much confusion.
Jason got into comedy after working at a Manchester club at the age of 16. One night a few acts failed to materialise and the desperate promoter asked if anyone fancied doing a bit, so Jason obliged.
His comic icons are people such as Peter Kay. “Well Peter Kay was the first act I saw live who just blew me away. I thought he was fantastic. But growing up I loved Billy Connolly, Les Dawson and Tommy Cooper. I loved how my family would have tears in their eyes watching them.”
Jason spends plenty of time writing new shows and says the trick is to listen. “I just listen to people, I read a lot, I have a radio show every Sunday on Absolute which forces me to come up with stuff. But listening is the best way. I’m never the centre of attention at parties, I’m always listening though! (That sounds creepier than I meant it to!)”
He enjoys creating tours and says about 70 per cent of a performance is scripted, as it has to be. “But it’s very rarely in the same order. Then I like to mess about and chat and use new thoughts and see how it goes.That’s the wonderful thing about comedy, it’s a total meritocracy. The audience never lie.”
Jason has enjoyed a diverse career, playing on TV, in musicals and featuring in numerous stand-up tours. There have been plenty of highlights.
“I think meeting Mel Brooks before I starred in The Producers was a highlight. But I’ve had lots really, meeting the Queen after a good Royal Variety Performance, selling out the O2 and Manchester arena on my tour, performing at Royal Albert Hall, singing at the Bridgewater Hall with Alfie Boe and having a wonderful time filming an eclectic mix of telly from Ordinary Lies to Ripper Street. I love the randomness of my job.”
That randomness means he might one day be headlining Arena Birmingham and on another he’s getting ready to fly away in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. His love of musicals has given him an extra string to his bow.
“I was always interested in musicals, did them all at school and college and university so when I saw an advert for an actor to be cover Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, I made my agent get me an audition. After four auditions for it I got it and was suddenly on stage being murdered by Michael Ball. It was magical.
“But stand up is always the greatest thing you can do because it’s just so personal and direct. But I adore doing theatre and being part of a team.”
Though Jason enjoys stand-up most of all, his nan, Leah Manford, prefers his singing to his comedy. She was chuffed when he released his debut record, A Different Stage.
“I never thought about it to be honest. Then about two years ago my nana said: ‘You should do an album’. She’s more of a fan of the singing than the comedy. Then I went on tour with Alfie Boe and did a few tunes with him, including Stars from Les Miserables with his orchestra and it hit YouTube and went a bit viral. Loads of people on my Facebook were like ‘do an album’.
“So when I looked at the two things, I thought this is something my nana would really love and if ‘normal’ people are into it – you know, people who are not my nana – then maybe there’s something in this.”
Jason unexpectedly found himself in a competition with Bradley Walsh – not to get the biggest laugh but to sell the most records.
“I’m pals with Bradley so I wouldn’t mind being an album behind him. In my head, the main aim is to not become a quiz question in a few years time: ‘Who sold seven albums on release of their debut?’.
“I guess I’ve just always done both music and comedy really, so it felt like the natural thing to do.”
