6. What do your parents think of your job?
My job has become vary varied and if they don’t always get the jumping around near naked aspect they like to focus on ‘the play’ I’m doing. They like that I’ve developed a big community of friends through the work I do. The feel secure that I’m not all alone in London.
7. What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
Nerves. They never go away and at times they have been totally debilitating. And writers block. But the nerves, I hate them.
8. I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
I think sometimes I’m good. I don’t rate myself always as a writer and like to ‘perform’ more than write material. Actually, that’s not true, I like the way I write but am not always confident that other people like it. I don’t think I’m always funny. I think I can be hit or miss, although people generally think I hit more than I miss. I guess that’s the aim really. It’s a weird question, my opinion is always in flux and arrogance is never good in any performer hence the continuous doubt.
9. How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
I can earn a couple of hundred for a regular gig in a small venue and few grand for a big corporate gig. I also lose a ton of money putting on my own shows. It's swings and roundabouts. You charge more for one cos you lost so much doing the thing everyone talks about. Enough is never enough. I’d love to earn enough to buy a flat. Renting is so stressful.
10. How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
I’ve learnt that luck is a very small part of what I do and it’s all about determination, drive, work, ambition, tenacity, courage, risk taking and a very very small amount of luck. Even if you are lucky enough to be picked up early on you still need the goods to deliver. I almost had a lucky TV break in 2003. I fucked it up and have had to deal with that and grow as a result and make my success the hard way.
11. 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 a third category?
I guess I’m a bit of both. Golfers though. That’s not particularly dynamic. You can get on with life, or take life by the horns and give it a shake. You can be a tortured artist and wallow at the end of the bar or put the drink down and howl at the moon every now and again. I prefer the saying about those who change themselves to fit the world or those who change the world to fit them. I like to think I fall into the latter, or at least I strive too.
12. Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
Does that ever stay the same? Does Wonder Woman count? She’s not even real. I love her. But only in the Linda Carter version. Her powers were so average but I loved it when she spun round. I never get bored of watching her spin. Is never being bored of someone the same as favourite person ever? Most things and people bore me if I over indulge in them.
13. 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).
Tidy-ish. Tidy drawers are an untidy mind and an untidy mind leads to a hellish life. I have to make my bed and if I couldn’t find my t-shirts properly I’d be all over the shop, but my room is often and mess and I hate tidying. I’m not anal. I met a guy who colour coded his sock drawer.
Jonny Woo’s Un-Royal Variety returns to the Hackney Empire on Friday and Saturday, October 19 & 20. Cabaret stars Bourgeois & Maurice, comedian Jayde Adams and drag icon Lavinia Co-Op are among the line-up, as well as a choir with all the singers dressed as Theresa May.
