Jessie Nixon makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut with ‘Don’t Make Me Regret This’ at the Assembly George Square Gardens for the full run. The show has been directed by Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner Lauren Pattison.
Nixon recently won a coveted Chortle Hot Shots award, blowing judges away with her dynamic, friendly stage presence and a sharp wit. She has supported Fern Brady, Helen Bauer and Lou Sanders on tour.
Raised by a single mum with limited money, Jessie had a difficult childhood which led her to being homeschooled for three years. She also went to boarding school and every other type of schooling there is.
‘Don’t Make Me Regret This’ delves into her guilt around her ambition to achieve and her self-discipline. Coming from a background that could be described as ‘impoverished bohemia’ she has a weird relationship with class and a constant undercurrent of rage about the nepotism in the comedy industry that goes unacknowledged so much of the time.
The show is peppered with songs, poems and jokes and she also takes confessions from the audience, while confessing to various things herself on topics including polyamory, being a lapsed catholic and weird men in her Instagram dms.
Born and bred in Bristol but now living in London, she wanted to act, but at nearly six foot tall, kept getting cast as ugly unlovable characters which was bad for her self esteem, so chose stand-up.
Jessie Nixon’s debut comedy hour ‘Don’t Make Me Regret This’ will be at the Assembly George Square Gardens Crate at 7.20pm from July 30 - August 24. Tickets here.
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
OK firstly I had NO IDEA we were checking our knickers and our teeth. I’ve absolutely been winging it on both of those fronts from day dot. Last thing I do is have a lovely fizzy slurp of delicious diet coke right before I go on to combat the inevitable dry mouth. Boring isn’t it? but Stephen Grant once told me he goes on stage with a FULL MOUTH of water which he swallows when he gets to the mic, but I think that’s straying too close into spit-take territory.
What irritates you?
In comedy or in general? In comedy; promoters that can’t do basic admin and aren’t organised. I used to work for the civil service, so I get triggered by inefficiency because it brings back old memories. In general; slow walkers. I’m chronically late (it’s genetic and can’t be helped) so getting stuck behind slow walkers makes me want to scream.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Embarked on a hike in the heart of bear country with all my skinny little gay friends in the Canadian wilderness. No bear spray, off trail, carrying food, no one knew where we were and famously twinks attract bears… I really thought we were going to be eaten and not in a good way.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Once I was on a sleeper train to Poland and had been awake for about 28 hours. I was delirious and decided to brush my teeth to put myself in sleep mode, I stuck my head out of the train window to spit my toothpaste, withdrew, and about 0.2 seconds later another train came past from the opposite direction within about three inches of our train. it would have absolutely taken my whole head off if I hadn't withdrawn a second earlier. I felt quite faint afterwards thinking about what could've been.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
Male comedians end up with ludicrously attractive girlfriends who approach them after gigs. Female comedians are only approached by men called Keith who say they could probably do a better job than us at stand-up if the gout would only clear up.
What do your parents think of your job?
They are broadly supportive! It’s been nice watching them gradually come to see this as a viable career choice as I have improved/been offered better opportunities.
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
GWR. They sued me for fare evasion once without me knowing and I got a criminal record (but didn’t know it at the time) so safe to say we have some beef, but unfortunately I can’t drive due to being queer and dyspraxic and afraid :(
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
Wow thank you!!! I oscillate. My best friend and landlord, Robbie, summed it up well when he once said to me ‘you are a perfect blend of self hate and mad ego’. But to be honest, I think that applies to almost every comedian. I think I’ve got great hair though and that can’t be said for us all.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
Ok I’m not being coy but I genuinely don’t really know. I’ve only just quit my day job. I would say I earn enough that I can occasionally go for brunch, but not enough that I can go on holiday. I’d like to earn enough to be able to go on holiday sometimes. Enough to be able to buy my mum a really nice new sofa. #ambitious #hustlegrindset #stevenbartlett #forbes30under30
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
I think my luck lies in where I started and who I started with. When I started comedy there was some insane talent in Bristol and some amazing promoters, so there were great gigs with great comedians and it made us all work twice as hard to keep up with each other.
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?
Every golfer I’ve met has been f*cking obsessed with golf and never shuts up about it so I take issue with Alan’s premise. I’m inclined to fall under tortured artist, but thankfully my mum works with war veteran amputees for a living, so I’m never short on perspective. It’s crucial to remember that I’ve got all my arms and legs (brag alert) and who cares if X person got Y, or Z gig went badly.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
It’s Amy Taylor from Amyl and the Sniffers. She is everything. Amy if you’re reading this please, I love you and I’ll drop everything, I’ll move to Australia and quit comedy. Please call me!!!!!!!
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
Unrelated of course, but I’ve heard people with messy drawers are better endowed and morally superior to those with tidy ones, and make far superior lovers in general, and don’t take break ups well. But I’m sure ‘people with messy drawers’ are trying their best, and love you very much and will take the bins out to make up for the drawers. Please don’t leave ‘people with messy drawers’, they need you.
Jessie Nixon’s debut comedy hour ‘Don’t Make Me Regret This’ will be at the Assembly George Square Gardens Crate at 7.20pm from July 30 - August 24. Tickets here.
PICTURE CREDIT – REBECCA NEED MENEAR
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