Comedian Jordan Brookes: ‘My plants are not a fan of Slipknot’

An Edinburgh Comedy Award winner in 2019, the Liverpool-born, Surrey-raised comic Jordan Brookes first came to attention when he won the Welsh Unsigned Comedy Award in 2012.

Existing on the darker side of comedy, his television appearances include Late Night Mash (Dave) and Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club (ITV). This Is Just What Happens is the 36-year-old’s first solo show since the award-winning I’ve Got Nothing three years ago.

It has also been listed as FIX for some of his upcoming run of dates (more on that later), which include a stop at the Cambridge Junction later this month. We put some questions to this talented stand-up.

How are you? What have you been up to recently?

I feel fine! Absolutely fine! Why do people asking me how I am? What do people know that I don’t? I’ve been moving into a new flat and buying lots of plants. I was told you’re supposed to sing to them, but I can sadly say that they are absolutely not a fan of Slipknot.

What can you tell us about the show and the topics you’ll be addressing?

It’s called This Is Just What Happens now. I changed it because FIX no longer seemed like the right title. God knows what it’s about though! I guess it’s about self-victimhood, how we can get wrapped up in our own story to the neglect of everything else. It’s also just full of dumb jokes and stupid faces and bits that go on longer than necessary.

Who would the show most appeal to, would you say, and why?

Honestly couldn’t say! I’m always surprised by who likes my stuff. I’ve seen people of all ages from all sorts of backgrounds absolutely lose their minds with laughter. So I would have to say it appeals to anyone who likes comedy.

How do you find writing comedy shows? Is it a difficult process?

I usually let things slosh around in my head for ages. I’m a real ‘write the essay the night before’ kind of person, but I’ll have been thinking about it for months beforehand so the finished product is usually good but scrappy, which I quite like. I’m not a huge fan of clinically-perfect shows. Where’s the heart? Where’s the charming human error? Stop being a robot and tell us a joke that almost but doesn’t quite work, you cowards.

How did you find lockdown? Did you miss performing, or did you enjoy some time off? What do you like about gigging?

I think everyone needed a break from whatever path they were on. A bit of time to take stock. I like gigging and I did miss it a bit, and it’s taken ages to get back to where I was in terms of momentum and confidence, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

We gather you’re a fan of Dutch comedian Hans Teeuwen? What is it you like about him and how has he influenced you?

I love him! He broke my mind when I first saw him. The audacity of committing to something insane, with little regard for what the audience thought. Very inspiring.

Who are some of your other favourite comics, old and new?

I really love The Delightful Sausage, Josh Pugh, Crizards, The Death Hilarious, Bridget Christie, John Kearns, Lucy Pearman, and Michael McIntyre when he’s doing a work-in-progress show in a small room. Just incredible. Oh, and I saw Dan Rath at the Edinburgh Fringe and loved him. Really great.

What are your plans for when the tour’s over?

Buy some new plants and get singing lessons.

Jordan Brookes will be appearing at the Cambridge Junction (J3) on Saturday, September 17. For tickets, visit junction.co.uk. For more on Jordan, go to jordanbrookescomedy.com.