One of the fastest-rising stars on the UK comedy circuit is coming to Southport Comedy Festival sponsored by Halliwell Jones BMW this October, as part of a tour which keeps being extended and extended due to popular demand.
She has nearly 80 sold out shows completed already, and more to come.
Take a look at her hilarious clips on TikTok or YouTube and you’ll quickly see why.
One video on TikTok, Mothers & Daughters vs Mothers & Sons, already has over 35 million views.
Jen’s brutally brilliant observations on life are engaging, true-to-life and laugh out loud funny.
She will be performing at Southport Comedy Festival, at Victoria Park in Southport, on Wednesday 4th October 2023, with tickets on sale here.
Jen Brister said: “I am really looking forward to performing at Southport Comedy Festival!
“This is part of a never-ending tour which I started in September last year.
“It was originally due to end in February, but due to the numbers of people wanting to come and see the show, we decided to extend it until June, and then to extend it until September, and now here I am coming to Southport Comedy Festival in October!”
For anyone who has seen Jen at any of her gigs, or on TV shows such as Live At The Apollo, calling her current tour ‘The Optimist’ may come as a surprise.
The 48-year-old has an acerbically funny style of comedy which has a brutal way of expressing what many are thinking but daren’t say out loud, whether it be parenting or anything else.
If middle age has taught Jen Brister anything, it’s that optimism does not come naturally to her. In fact, it’s fair to say that her cup is very much half empty and she’s making no attempt to fill it. Can Jen work against her natural instincts and finally see the light? Or will she stay the same old pessimistic naysayer she’s always been. I mean, I think we know the answer to that, but let’s try and be optimistic.
She said: “My tour is called The Optimist because I am not a particularly optimistic person!
“A lot of my comedy is anecdotal, things I have seen or situations I have been in.
“I sometimes go on a bit of a rant about some of the absurdities of life. There will be a bit of that in the show!
“I do talk about being a parent and some of the challenges that come with having kids, and some of that comes into my show.
“It’s really hard not to talk about what exasperates us as parents.”
Jen’s visit to Sunny Southport will encourage her to look on the bright side of life.
“That’s the thing!” she said. “I am trying really hard to be optimistic on this tour. I am trying hard to find different things to make me feel good about life.
“I am very optimistic about this time of my life.
“I have really enjoyed being in my 40s, and the benefits that ageing brings.
“There is not much positive press about women getting older, which is where women really come into their own.
“I am heading for 50 and have no fears about getting there.
“We put so much emphasis on youth. But I remember being in my youth and always being skint, always people pleasing, life is much more enjoyable now!
“I am really enjoying my Optimist tour, it has become a real success.
“I have done stand up for a long time. It is great just enjoying this moment.
“I am trying to make the most of it!”
Jen is now excited about performing at Southport Comedy Festival on Wednesday 4th October.
She said: “The only time I have performed in Southport previously was at Southport Theatre, when I was supporting Romesh Ranganathan. I really enjoyed the venue, and I’m really pleased to see something new currently being built in its place.
“There is an incredible line-up at Southport Comedy Festival! It is really impressive.
“It is going to be different from other shows on my tour.
“It is a lot different playing at a comedy festival. I quite like the fact it is a different atmosphere.
“Festivals always have a different vibe to them.
“There is a real energy that you don’t always get in a theatre. I can’t wait.”
Critically acclaimed comedian and writer Jen Brister is bringing her sell out show ‘The Optimist’ to this year’s Southport Comedy Festival in Association with Halliwell Jones BMW.
Due to phenomenal demand and with 76 sold out shows under her belt Jen is extending her tour and taking in a festival date on Wednesday 4th October 2023.
Jen is no stranger to our TV sets with appearances on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, Hypothetical and Sara Pascoe’s comedy Lectures on Dave.
A regular performer on the UK and international comedy circuits she has also written and performed on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, The Now Show and presented for BBC 6 Music.
Jen has also written and performed in a brand-new comedy short with comedian Rosie Jones which is due to be aired on SKY TV later this year.
Her book, a comedy memoir, “The Other Mother” was published by Square Peg in 2019.
Jen can also be heard on her weekly WTB (Women Talking Bollocks) with her comedy pals Maureen Younger and Allyson June Smith
Jen Brister: The Optimist
Wednesday 4th October
Venue: Southport Comedy Festival Under Canvas at Victoria Park in Southport, Esplanade, Southport, PR8 1RX
Doors: 7pm
Show: 8pm
Tickets: £15
Age Restriction: 18+
- For information and tickets visit southportcomedyfestival.com
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