ARTS
COMEDY
Jayde Adams, described by The Independent as a “fearless force of nature”
COMEDY IS MEDICINE Bristolian Jayde Adams took up comedy after grieving the death of her sister as it made her fearless and able to shed the insecurities that had previously held her back. Catch her award-winning show at the Bristol Comedy Garden So, Jayde, you won the Funny Women award in 2014 – what clinched it for you? I’d hope it was how funny I was, but it may have been the nude suit. It’s pretty sexy. What did you do for a living before comedy? Café work. Priest in an inflatable church. Pubs. Doorwoman. Windows and doors salesman. Palm reader. Anything I could get my hands on, basically. Your show, Jayde 31, did really well at Edinburgh last year. Tell us about it. It was a show about comparison. I spent my life comparing myself to other women, being dominated by strong female types and it meant I had no idea who I was or what I was good at. My sister died of brain cancer and after six years of grieving I realised that I could write about it and finally own my own story. It has been described on numerous occasions as a rollercoaster. I’m doing a shorter version of Jayde 31 at Bristol Comedy Garden Festival. 30 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
MY FAVOURITE JOKE: THEY SAY YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT… I DON’T REMEMBER EATING A
GODDESS
What three qualities do you need for standup? 1) Funniness 2) The ability to act like you don’t give a shit about what people think, and 3) I personally think you have to have been through something, been an underdog somewhere in your life. Not just being female or stuff like that, but having lived through some really trying times at some point. What do you most remember about Bristol growing up? The people. You don’t get better people than a Bristolian. Generous, kind, funny, loyal, and fearless. No other city like it. And I’m talking real Bristolians now, not these new ones who’ve moved in cause it’s cheaper than London. I hope they realise how lucky they are to live in such an awesome city. Is this your favourite gig of the year, being back in the fold etc? If something gets me back to my Bristol, I’m happy. As soon as I can, I’ll be moving back. People say that comedy is medicine. Whaddayathink? Yep. It’s changed my entire life.
Jayde Adams appears at Bristol Comedy Garden on Saturday 17 June, on the bill with Nina Conti, Marcus Brigstocke and Stephen K Amos. The Festival runs from 14 - 18 June. www.bristolcomedygarden.co.uk/tickets Jayde is performing her show for this year’s Edinburgh Festival, called Jayded, at the White Bear on 23 June and The Wardrobe on 24 June.