After opening for Lloyd Griffith in sell out shows here in October, comedian Joey Page already has the lay of the land at Lighthouse and is more than ready to take off on his debut national tour, returning here to perform his show Nice One.
We caught up with him to answer a few queries…
For those who’ve not seen you in a club, on tour with the likes of Rob Beckett and Lloyd Griffith, or on TV in Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy, what can the audience at Lighthouse expect to see in your show Nice One?
You are going to see a really funny show. Or at least it seems funny on the surface, but what it actually is, is a guy who thinks he’s cool moaning about stuff and disguising it at funny stand up.
Like you know how your colleague, let’s call him Mark, moans about how he’s 40 now and hates his home life and you think, ‘Oh shut up, Mark.’? Well in a way, my job is to be like Mark without you realising I am like Mark.
Or, if you were a comedy aficionado, you might say it’s relatable comedy but from a slight off-kilter perspective – ★★★★★!
What possessed you to become a comedian – was it your life’s dream or did you stumble into it?
I have always been a bit of show off since I was a kid, and my old GCSE Drama teacher – shout out to Ms Rea – told me I’d make a good stand up.
I always loved Vic Reeves when I was little but didn’t really understand how mucking about was a job. Then, when I went to uni, I went on a little evening class and learned how to write comedy. I feel like I have only really found my voice in the last few years and now after nearly 20 years I am finally doing my first ever tour!
What’s the best thing about being a comedian?
Crowd reactions. It’s such a cool feeling to make a whole room laugh and applaud at something you have written or made up on the spot. You have an idea and immediately you’re able to try it out and get feedback and if that feedback is good you feel like a genius.
Who are your comedy heroes; and why?
Rik Mayall is a big one, I love how silly he was. Norm Macdonald was such an amazing writer and performer that I have always loved. Also, at the moment, I am supporting Laura Smyth on tour and I’ve learned so much from working with her. Her show (Living My Best Life) is so funny.
How important is image to you and to comedy in general?
So important. Not only do I think that having an image is important to stand out in comedy, but in life. Some of my comedy is born out of looking one way, but being quite different. Like I love clothes and I guess I look like a hipster, but I come from a very working-class background, and I like talking about all the funny situations that gets me into. You’ll have to see the show to hear some examples!
Tell us about your podcast, Got A Problem Mate?
My mate and fellow comedian Bilal Zafar solve our listeners’ problems as well as each other’s problems from the week. Such as: ‘How can I get out of going to some boring event with my family?’
We have guests on and solve their problems too. Basically, it’s just an excuse to have good guests on and muck about. We have had lots of great comedians and bands on. We recently had Danny Wallace on, which was really cool.
If you were to contact your own podcast, what problem would you ask to be solved?
Well I do, every week. Normally something has always happened that needs fixing, from relationship stuff to mini family dramas. At the moment I’m struggling to keep pigeons off my balcony and I really need help with it. So if anyone has any advice please email in to gotaproblemmate@gmail.com
Joey Page: Nice One can be seen in the Sherling Studio on Thursday 6 February.. Tickets on sale now at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/joey-page-nice-one/ or call 01202 280000.