My Stand-Up Journey
By Jax MacKenzie
I normally do at least one things a year for charity; past activities have included abseiling, zip gliding and fire walking.
Last year I got married in May so it wasnt until around August that I realised I hadn't done anything for charity. It was then that I saw the Ultra Comedy opportunity a six week course for charity being trained by the fabulous Viv Gee and i thought well that's less frightening then jumping off the Falkirk Wheel - how wrong was I!!
Before the event Viv had intimidated there would be an Advanced Class starting in January but i was so scared of bombing or freezing on stage that I decided not to commit until I performed.
The event was in Drygate Brewery and there were over 200 people there - I was so nervous. But I got such a buzz i then went in to do the Advanced class and performed after 8 weeks at Blackfriars. I've done a few 5/7 mins slots since at The Rum Shack and Tennents Laughter Lounge and I have a few gigs coming up.
I started working for the Council when I was 18 and left in 2012 to join the civil service.
At the time of the Ultra Comedy gig my job involved regularly talking to people, delivering presentations and supporting colleagues in writing award nominations but this was a challenge on a different level.
When I was growing up I wanted to be a singer and at 16 I was in Butlins Skegness on holiday with my parents when the entertainments manager said they would sign me up but due to my age I needed my parents permission. Both mum and dad refused saying it was too dangerous a place for a wean to be on their own - this lead to my Redcoat Rebellion Period that I now talk about in my act!
I got married at 18, divorced at 27, married again at 29 divorced again at 44 and married again at 55 and I don't even like marzipan!
I love singing and enjoy a good game of pool and in the summer I play bowls.
I'm one of the people who is always up to something. I also have an ebay account as a sideline where I sell stuff that I pick up in Charity shops.
I would love to change my career and do comedy full time that would be my dream. I have lots of ideas on creating sketches and characters but its difficult at the start to know hwo to get these things off the ground but I'm excited about the future and curious as to how far I can go.