Q&A: Jayde Adams, What the Frock! compere

Bristol comic Jayde Adams returns this Friday to her regular slot hosting What the Frock!, the South West’s only all-female comedy night.

Bedminster born and bred, Jayde trained in competitive dancing – but also sings opera, beatboxes, clowns, raps and more. She’s already received a Time Out nomination and a London Cabaret Award, and played venues as far afield as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. A far cry from the fish counter at ASDA Bedminster – Jayde’s previous line of work…

What do you think Bristol has fed into your comedy?
I think my meat-and-potatoes attitude to life is very Bristolian. And when I say ‘Bristolian’ I mean ‘Bristolian’, not all this exclusive Clifton and Redland rubbish. From Bedminster to Kingswood and everything in between. My Mum’s family gave me my sense of humour – and my accent.

Who and what have influenced you as a performer?
Michael Jackson and Michael Flatley have both had very strong influences over me. From a young age I watched them both command the stage and I remember thinking, ‘I want to make that many people happy’.
I used to be a contemporary dancer, and Jasmin Vardimon and Hofesh Shechter are both amazing choreographers who make incredibly emotive work.
When it comes to comedy, Bill Burr and Louis CK are my favourite living stand-ups. I also love Julie Walters and Julia Davis – women who can transform themselves from one role to the next. And I was OBSESSED with Buffy The Vampire Slayer when I was a teenager. 

What sorts of things feed into your comedy?
Everything. No single incident in my life is exempt from satire. I tend to make things happen by having a ‘yes’ attitude to life. The more you open yourself up to that, the more funny shit will happen to you. I’ve been described as an ‘aggressively charming, multi-talented funny idiot’. I like that. 

What memories and life lessons did you take from the Asda Bedminster fish counter?
None. They sacked me for eating a prawn wonton off of the counter. 

What do you think What the Frock! is doing for comedy, and women in comedy in particular, in Bristol and beyond?
We’re putting Bristol on the map somewhere, supporting the country’s best comedy acts and doing it for a bloody reasonable price. I heard the MC is really quite something to see as well… It’s the best comedy night in Bristol.
We’re not ‘helping’ women, though. We don’t need help, we need it to become the norm that ladies are as funny as guys. What The Frock! does that. End of discussion. 

What do you think you’d be doing with your life, if not comedy?
Using any of the several other talents I possess. Anyone can do anything they want – they just have to believe they can do it with all their being, and people will start getting on board.

What the Frock! returns this Friday, January 30 to Riproar Comedy, with a line-up featuring Mae Martin and Anna Morris. For more info, see our listing here: to book tickets, visit www.wegottickets.com/event/299593