Simon Rothstein speaks to the comic ahead of his return to Enfield later this month

Top comic Stephen K Amos says he can’t wait to return to Enfield to headline a special Christmas comedy show later this month.

In an interview ahead of the show at Dugdale Arts Centre on Saturday, 20th December, Stephen said: “I live in Wimbledon, so it takes me about three days to cross the river and get to North London – but it’s always worth it!

“What I really enjoy is walking out onto that stage and seeing a sea of people in the audience of all different ethnicities, different age groups, different genders, different backgrounds. They all are there for just one thing… a good old laugh. It shows how comedy can unite people.”

But it wasn’t always that way. Stephen says that when he was growing up, comedy didn’t speak to him at all.

He said: “Back then, it was racist, sexist, homophobic and mother-in-law jokes. I would never have dreamed of going to a comedy show.

“I remember when I started doing the club circuit in the UK in 1994, until about at least 2007, I would be the only black man on a bill. I’d rarely see a woman. I would see maybe one openly LGBTQ person.

“But now that has changed. We show the audience how funny and diverse people can be.”

Speaking of why this is so important, Stephen added: “When you look at somewhere like Enfield, it is a melting pot of cultures and identities. And there’s nothing more important than being able to see someone that you see yourself in, and who is representative of you, that is also being funny.

“I think that’s the beauty of comedy. There’s nothing more amazing than sitting in a room with complete strangers and all laughing at the same thing.”

Stephen will be at the Dugdale in Enfield Town as part of Resistance Comedy’s event ‘Jingle Bell Funny: A Christmas Comedy Extravaganza’ on the evening of Saturday, 20th December. Other comics on the bill include Lateef Lovejoy, Olivia Lee, President Obonjo, Jason Patterson, Sam Picone, Elaine Fellows and Farhan Solo.

For a star who has performed on the Royal Variety Show and Live at the Apollo and had his own BBC Radio 4 show – What Does the K Stand For? – he still maintains a true excitement about headlining local shows like this.

He said: “I love line-up shows, especially as Britain leads the world in comedy. People assume that you’re rivals and vying for the best laughs. But actually, you’re all comrades. It’s all about helping each other, because if the night goes well for everybody, that’s a great night!”

Looking ahead to the show, Stephen promises: “It is cliché, but laughter absolutely is the best medicine… and the Dugdale will be providing it in bucketloads. It’s the last Saturday before Christmas. What better way to spend the night out on your doorstep?”

Tickets for Jingle Bell Funny: A Christmas Comedy Extravaganza are on sale now from the Dugdale Arts Centre box office:
Call 0800 640 3928
Visit dugdaleartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/resistance-comedy-jingle-bell-funny

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