Q&A: Bristol comedian Jody Kamali

Steve Wright meets Jody Kamali, Bristol-raised character comedian who’s back in town this month – with no Terry The Odd Job Man in sight…

Born and raised in North Bristol, character comedian Jody Kamali is best known to date as his alter ego, hapless Bristol builder and YouTube sensation Terry the Odd Job Man. Later this month Jody returns to his hometown with his One-Man Variety Show, a “spectacularly ridiculous parody of old school variety”. Mixing clowning, character comedy and ludicrous slapstick, Jody’s show will present a cavalcade of bizarre and mesmerizing characters.

So, what can we expect from Variety Show?
It’s a mish-mash of character comedy, clowning, slapstick and a touch of the bizarre. It’s a parody of old-school variety – but also slightly surreal in places. Characters you’ll meet along the way include a vampire, a man of mystery, an opera singer and a healer. And I can promise you’ll never look at Sainsbury’s plastic bags in the same way again.  

What role has Bristol – its people, places, ways of life – played in your career?
Well, I still have the accent – just! Growing up in Southmead I was brought up on a diet of Massive Attack, Tricky and Roni Size, and I got into drama at school. At 14 I got involved in the HTV television workshops – weekly acting classes led by the studio, who also used us in their local TV programmes. It was an amazing insight into the world of telly. I went to Filton College at 16, then buggered off to London for university. But I’m back in Bristol every month, and it was hanging out with family and friends in Southmead, Filton and Knowle that helped me to shape Terry The Odd Job Man back in 2007. 

Are you still fond of Terry the Odd Job Man… or has he become a millstone around your neck?
I love playing Terry as it keeps me close to my Bristol roots. I feed the character with my own experiences and observations of Bristol life. After making the second DVD (Terry’s Bristolian Language Lessons) in 2010, I put down the overalls and tool belt for a few years while I concentrated on other characters and performed more on the London comedy circuit. I didn’t want to be pigeonholed as Terry.

Who have been your own comic influences?
I love the foolery and character comedy of Sacha Baron Cohen, Harry Enfield, The Fast Show and League of Gentlemen. I’m also hugely inspired by the theatre/clown troupe Spymonkey, whose joint artistic director Aitor Basauri directs my show.

And who are you sending up in the latest show?
Apart from parodying wannabe gurus and the illusionist David Copperfield, the only person I really make fun of in the show is myself. I play the fool at all times. 

Jody Kamali’s One-Man Variety Show Friday, February 20, The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.thewardrobetheatre.com/#/one-man-variety-show/4587662390

Photograph by Doug Jewell