Comedy: Big Cheers for Amaze

Local charity Amaze has some of the biggest names in comedy on their side – all hosted by Jason Cook. Victoria Nangle had a word to find out more

How did you get involved with the charity Amaze?
“Through Henry Normal, he’s quite a supporter and when he told me there would be a chance to play the Dome I jumped at it! It’s nice to do something for a charity that directly helps people as well, so I’m proud to be involved.”

You won us over last time you played a charity event at Brighton Dome at the Brighton Comedy Festival Gala in 2010. What treats do you have in store this time?
“Oh, I’ll know once I get on stage, I’m hosting I think, so we’ll just see who’s in the audience and where that takes us. There’s always a few characters in every audience, the trick is to find out who they are and have fun with them, but not at the expense of them or people get shy and won’t play along.”

Do you enjoy compering more than simply being a part of the bill with a 20 minute set?
“Well, to be honest, I don’t really have a “set”, I kind of see where the wind takes me, but when you’re compering you are off and on and so you can build up a nice relationship with the audience which I really enjoy.”

Do you like playing to a Brighton crowd?
“Always, they are a funky bunch who will let you play around with ideas and we’ve always got on very well with each other.”

What were the best and worst presents you received this Christmas?
“Best present – slipper socks. Slippers and socks in one garment! The world has needed that for quite some time. Worst present – a massive box of chocolates, because it has transferred to my every-growing belly quite quickly so I’m on the exercise bike every night trying to get rid of it!”

You have some fabulous personal anecdotes – is anything off limits for stage time?
“Nothing, as long as it’s funny. It’s quite freeing in a way because it means you have no secrets, although some of the daftest things I have done in my life are often the funniest, so my wife thinks I now do things with the pure intention of being able to tell it on stage later. She does not always approve.”

Any clues about what your 2012 show might be covering?
“Life, love and daftness. That pretty much covers everything…”

What last made you laugh so much you wanted to fall over?
“My baby daughter getting confused by her own flatulence. The look on her face was poetic.”

Why should everyone give more to charity in 2012?
“Because we live in a very selfish time and we need to redress the balance. Acts of kindness are in short supply, so some of us need to redress the global karmic balance. Or, if you are cynical, because you can write it off against tax.”

Big Cheer For Amaze features Jason Cook, Simon Evans and many more, Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, with a new date of Thurs 1 March, www.amazebrighton.org.uk