Jaz Mattu, who is bringing his second hour to the Edinburgh Fringe, combines music, clowning and comedy. His show explores what happens in a family emergency – his dad breaks his leg and Jaz ends up acting as his carer.
Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
My show is about moving back home and dealing with a big family event. Obviously it’s told in my absurdist style involving standup, storytelling, video, music, clowning, audience interaction, silly set pieces, videogames and all manner of props. It definitely will be quite the experience and definitely needs to be seen to be believed. Join me.
What makes you laugh?
People in high positions in the corporate/business/media/political world making fools of themselves in public.
What three words best describe your performance style – and why?
Theatrical, Absurdist Standup
Do you have nerves about going on stage and how do you cope with them.
Of course I get nervous. Ultimately I tell myself that this is what I wanted. As much as I would love them to do so, no one is going to do this for me. I have to get on that stage. Also, remembering to breathe helps.
What’s your idea of a perfect Fringe feast and where will you eat it?
Mosque Kitchen. Cheap and effective.
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
Interesting question. I’m getting more in tune with what audiences want from my comedy. Before I was just happy to write stuff and wouldn’t really care what people would think and what sort of ‘laughs’ I was getting. Which is a dangerous mindset to have that would ultimately lead to artistic oblivion.
I guess , I just enjoy the whole creative process, but when you put on a show, people are paying money to see you. Therefore, ultimately people enjoying themselves is the goal.
Furthermore, the learnings from the last Ed-Fringe were mainly that my comedy as a whole, is very ideas based and not really about situations people have encountered. I’ve tried to bridge that gap this year. In my own way of course.
With that in mind, if people leave thinking ‘well I didn’t expect that but I enjoyed it’, then I’ve done my job. If no one looks at their watch/phone, I have also done my job. If someone says ‘I didn’t get it at first, but you won me round’, that is also good.
When did you first realise you were born to be on stage?
My family was seen as serious and ‘humourless’ but I could always make them laugh all the time. In fact we could all make each other laugh. I guess I was born and raised in front of a very tough crowd and so had come up with my best stuff from an early age.
Why do you think Edinburgh Fringe is so important to performers and artists around the world?
People talk to me about the show business, industry showcase and jobs fair side of it…but I see the Edinburgh Fringe as a training ground. It’s the only way you can get better at the type of show I’m trying to do and perfect. It’s the comedy version of a big time sports event, like Wimbledon or the Olympics. Every year you come here to either beat your record last time or try to get to the finals. I also subscribe to the Japanese concept of Kaizen, which is surmised as continuous improvement. Doing the Edinburgh Fringe is a way to continuously improve at comedy.
How do you plan to relax and enjoy the city when you’re not performing.
I do enjoy the cafes, however pricey. Also, cooling off post-show by doing a long walk around the city at night. If you see me, say hello.
Who is your showbiz idol and why?
I have a few, but the first one that comes to mind is David Byrne, lead singer of Talking Heads. The way he made the music, imagery, his vision and artistry intersect is something that I aspire to.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
When an audience at a show is really popping, everyone is enjoying it and the energy is just there. For me, it’s the comedy equivalent of what musicians call ‘the pocket’. Where everything is rhythmically in sync. I live for those moments. A close second, is coming up with an extra idea the night before and adding it into the show the next day… and it working a treat.
Jaz Mattu Returns, 18.40, Just the Tonic @The Caves, until August 25
