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Jo likes a good rant

Jo Caulfield has written exactly what her late sister, Annie, meant to her.
Jo Caulfield has written exactly what her late sister, Annie, meant to her.

Comedian Jo Caulfield prepares to let the red mist descend during her latest tour which visits Inverness this weekend, writes Susan Welsh

 

Edinburgh-based comedian Jo Caulfield is feeling angry – and she’s going to let audiences in Inverness know why when she plays Eden Court on Sunday night.

The star of Radio 4’s critically acclaimed Jo Caulfield Won’t Shut Up and It’s That Jo Caulfield Again shows is also a regular on Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and The World Stands Up.

Despite having a hectic schedule, she loves leaving her Edinburgh home to get out on the road and, being married to an Aberdonian, re-acquainting herself with the north.

Her brand-new show, Celebration of Anger, explores the things that irritate, annoy and irk. She embraces the joy of getting angry about them, no matter how petty they may seem to others.

“This morning, I’ve been getting angry at the things Amazon has suggested I might like – screwdrivers and a pizza.

“I haven’t looked at anything online that would suggest I’d like to know more about either.

“I do enjoy anger. Well, at least having a good rant about anything that annoys me, odd or makes me think twice about things.

“When life presents such irritations as vacuous celebrities, endless TV quiz shows, arrogant shop assistants, emotionally challenged men, drunken girlfriends who always pick the wrong partner and a husband who continually quotes The Godfather, surely having a good rant, and a good laugh, is the only sensible reaction?

“I’m a great believer in letting rip and expressing my anger, whether it’s prompted by someone being rude, the ridiculous romantic rituals my friends are following, or life in general. I love to have a good rant.

“Let’s face it, so many things are annoying or unnecessarily silly that if you don’t stop to laugh at them they may very well drive you up the wall.

“Although I’ll be venting about a lot of things there will also be lots of humiliating stories, and at the end of the show I’ll get to find out what the audience is angry about, as prior to it starting I’ll give out little forms for them to fill in.

“Some of the audience responses have been really interesting. One time it was anger about a set of local traffic lights which set the whole audience about, while others use it as a way of telling off a partner in public.”

Although she’s a star on stage, radio and TV, there’s one supporting job she has no intention of giving up.

“I’ve been the warm-up for Have I Hot News for You for a long time – it’s a joy to do.

“The audience is so happy to have tickets for the show and it’s always great fun to watch.”

As well as warming up, she also regularly appears on it.

“Mock the Week is the only show that brings that many comedians together.

“There’s seven people, all comedians, who all want to talk which makes it like a kids’ party with everyone shouting at once.

“There’s also the danger with topical stuff that several people will think of the same thing, which is why there’s always a rush to the mic and people talking over each other.

“What you don’t see on TV is that the host, Darra, often has to act like a traffic cop, directing and controlling everyone so we all get a chance.

“While TV is good and pays well, most comics are toddlers who want attention and the stage to ourselves, which is why it’s good to get out on the road again.

“I suspect there will be an endless amount of material to draw on post-referendum, which will be interesting.”

Finding the funny in the frustrations of life is something she excels at, but the acclaimed comedian is the first to admit that getting mad doesn’t always mean getting even.

“On more than one occasion, my anger has backfired and got me into trouble,” she said.

“How much trouble?

“You’ll have to come and see the show to find out.”

Jo Caulfield will be at Eden Court Theatre on Sunday, September 28, starting at 7.30pm. Contact 01463 234234 or visit www.eden-court.co.uk