Comedian Jason Manford will be heading to the south as part of a national tour of his return to the stand-up scene.
The Manchester-born joker won ITV1’s charity based talent competition, Born To Shine, and put his new-found singing talent into practice by joining Alfie Boe on tour and then starred in the West End production of Sweeney Todd alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton.
But Jason has not forgotten his stand-up roots.
Jason Manford
He will be performing to audiences his new tour titled “First World Problems” at Southampton Guildhall later this month and then again at Portsmouth Guildhall in October.
“Some of you might think I’ve had a career change, what with all the opera and musical theatre I’ve been doing lately,” Jason joked.
“Not a chance. I’m excited to be getting back to what I really love the most – stand-up!”
The charismatic comedian strikes up a natural rapport with his audiences. Along with an irresistible amiability and the ability to generate a rare warmth on stage, this makes him one of the most in-demand comics in the country.
Jason has also performed stand-up on BBC1’s Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and multiple Royal Variety Performances. The stand-up was a team captain on series six of 8 Out of 10 Cats and has also appeared on other panel shows QI, Big Fat Quiz of the Year, League of Their Own and Would I Lie to You.
As an observational comic he described his new show as “essentially moaning about everyday life, but with punchlines”. But said the buzz of live comedy was unrivalled.
“You can’t give it up!” he beamed.
“It’s a huge risk, but when it goes right, there is nothing better. It creates a communal feeling that you just can’t beat. You get all these people laughing and you think, ‘I did that!’ If you make one person laugh in a day, that’s great. Imagine multiplying that by 10,000!
“I’m the same on stage as I am in real life – which can be incredibly annoying at home! Jimmy Carr says that because he is quite rude on stage, if he says ‘hello’ to a fan in the street, that will make their day.
“By contrast, because I’m nice on stage, unless I ask a fan if they fancy a brew, they’ll say, ‘He’s a bit rude’. I’m a victim of my own niceness. Sometimes I wish I’d gone down the Jack Dee misery route!”
For tickets to Jason Manford at Southampton Guildhall on September 18 and 19 call the box office on 023 8063 2601 or to see Jason at Portsmouth Guildhall on October 4 or 5 call the box office on 023 9282 4355.