Comedy / john hastings
John Hastings: the ‘foul mouthed prophet’ brings his first ever UK tour to Bristol
Having established himself on the international comedy circuit over many years, it might surpise standup fans to know John Hastings has never before toured the UK.
Until now, that is. He will be bringing his acclaimed and esoterically titled show Do You Have Any Ointment My John Hastings? to King Street Brew House on February 23.
Charting his marriage breakdown, grief, PTSD, near amputation scares, living with dyspraxia, and his love wrestling (as co-host, with Dylan Gott, of The Wrestler Review podcast), it is perhaps his most personal and emotive show to date.
is needed now More than ever
That said, he’s also the first to laugh at his own misfortune.
You’ve performed comedy on stages and TV screens all over the world. Was there a particular impetus motivating you to tour the UK for the first time?
“I think the show is good and I make it a rule to only tour when the Tories have really caved in the economy. Seriously Bristol. Bring your best goth.”
As a comic, you have always been compelled to zero in on the most painful and personal aspects of your life for your material – how does this impact you afterwards?
“It was all I was thinking about when I wrote these jokes so I was a bit sad. The show definitely touches on some darkness. (And also some light). That said, it’s Bristol. You are all pirates. You live a dark joke.”
John Hastings – photo: Mandee Johnson
How would you sum up your attitude to what life throws at you?
“Always surprised, and then the classic ‘oh, of course’.”
Do you think audiences are surprised by the emotional heart of this show?
“They are not surprised, which honestly shocked the fuck out of me! I thought I was a bad ass comedy boy. Naw, classic idiot.”
Chuckle Busters presents: John Hastings: Do You Have Any Ointment My John Hastings? is at King Street Brew House on February 23 at 8pm. Tickets are available from www.chucklebusters.com.
All photos: Mandee Johnson
Read more: More gigs added to the biggest Belly Laughs ever
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
