5:27pm Monday 1st March 2010
By Rebecca Cain
JO Caulfield will tell you how it is and in her new comedy show currently touring the country the audience can vent their spleen too.
Caulfield is one of the most recognisable comediennes in the UK and has appeared on Mock the Week, Michael McIntyre's Comedy and Never Mind the Buzzcocks to name a few.
She has just finished her fourth series on Radio 4 - 'It's that Jo Caulfield again' and is writing a sitcom for the BBC. But for now she telling theatres what gets on her nerves in her tour, Won't Shut Up!
Speaking to Caulfield she says the show is not just about her: “I am making the end of the show about about the town whey are. It has made it quite exciting. They vent their spleen about things.
“There is a lot of difference. Generally I don't talk about the usual complaints like parking metres and potholes. Potholes are a big thing with people.
“Last time I was in Harrow a lady wrote that she hates the fact the verges are neglected. I thought if this is all we can come up! There are big extremes.”
Audience members write down what about is bothering them and Jo reads it out in the second half.
In the first half she talks about what has been bugging her- “It is very sort of every day life. Things that have aggravated me- self service check outs where you have to do it yourself. I like talking to people. Now I am shouting at it 'I have taken it out of the bagging are already.'
“Sometimes it is the kind of things I have noticed and whether people think it is weird as well. I talk about girlfriends and going out and drinking. Alcohol is a marvellous thing.”
Before she started the comedy circuit Caulfield went from job to job. She ran her own market stall selling vintage clothes, tried her hand at waitressing and was in a band.
She said: “Comedy was the first thing I tried doing that felt right. I thought I might be able to make a go of this.”
Twelve years ago Caulfield found herself drunkenly entering the weekly open mike competition at The Comedy Café in East London. Before she knew it she had a regular slot and it really took off for her.
But it wasn't easy at the start. She said:“I remember watching a comic come off stage and saying 'I really enjoyed that.'
“I remember thinking 'When do you enjoy it?' I was going through hell. You are really nervous. Some gigs go really well- some don't.
“But not many people finish work and think 'Wow, what a day.' Pretty much every night is special and exciting.”
As for whether she is bitchy or not Caulfield said: “I had all these reviews saying I was bitchy. I don't know if they would say that about a man. If Dara was saying it he would be insightful.
“I don't know if I am bitchy. I think I am more direct. I would just tell you.”
Jo Caulfield- Won't Shut Up is coming to the Wycombe Swan on March 3 at 8pm. Tickets cost £14 and £2 off for concessions. For tickets call 01494512000 or go to www.wycombeswan.co.uk.
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