Disco dancer, opera singer, ex fishmonger, part-time asthma inhaler model (see image) and winner of the 2014 Funny Women Award: Bristolian comedian Jayde Adams has got it all going on. Ahead of her performances at Scottee's Camp at the Roundhouse this month, we ask for her thoughts on London comedy club and Billingsgate fish market.
Camp's host Scottee has billed you as among 'the UK’s most mediocre talent'. How do you feel about that?
He's a dick, but he's given me a tour in December so I suppose he can do what he likes. We spend our downtime pretending to be Alfie and Zoella from YouTube.
I like Camden. You can buy things in Camden.
You performed at the Roundhouse last year too — is it becoming one of your favourite venues?
I like Roundhouse — they always treat you nice and run around making sure you're fed. Also there's always an audience who are up for it. Oh and it's in Camden, I like Camden. You can buy things in Camden.
Has anything changed since you won Funny Women last year?
Yeah loads of brilliant things. I'm gonna be on the television for the first time this Christmas with Russell Howard on BBC2. I'm doing something with Spencer Jones as well for Sky! Dawn French mentioned that she liked me and my comedy, which was nice! None of this would've happened if I hadn't won that competition. I'd've had to have gone on Britain’s Got Talent. No one wants to do that.
You used to be a fishmonger in Bristol; now that you live in London, do you sometimes take nostalgic 4am trips to Billingsgate?
I can't say I've ever done that. My Mum still works in Asda and I go to Bristol to sniff her sometimes. Is that the same?
You spin a great yarn about dealing with annoying kids on the Megabus Gold by heckling them with opera (see video above). Did that actually happen?
It was actually on a train to Trefforest (in the Valleys) and I played Canzonetta sull'aria by Mozart, which is the same music in Shawshank Redemption. I bloody love classical music I do.
Go to King Gong at The Comedy Store, if you want to see comedians being told to fuck off by the audience.
What's the difference between Bristol audiences and London audiences?
Nothing. They all laugh at me in the same way. Although I guess the only difference is in Bristol I get a roast dinner before my gigs at my mum's house.
Where do you go to watch comedy in London?
King Gong at The Comedy Store, if you want to see comedians being told to fuck off by the audience. Up The Creek [in Greenwich] is the best alternative club in London. If you see Spencer Jones on a bill somewhere go to that gig. Soho Theatre — they cherry pick the best comedy shows from Edinburgh and give them a run. Backyard Comedy Club is the best comedy club in London.
See Jayde Adams, Scottee and friends at the Roundhouse from 9-12 December. Tickets £12.50-£15+booking fee.
