STAND up comedian Jason Manford proved comedy really does rock after two sell out performances at the Villa Marina this weekend.

The Mancunian comic played to a full house on Friday and Saturday night and his mix of witty one liners, personal experiences and observational comedy had the audience laughing from the off.

Joking that he was "too tight" to have a warm up act Jason performed this role himself and launched into an informal ad-lib chat with his audience. 

Speaking exclusively to isleofman.com reporter Tessa Hawley, Jason said: "The crowd warms up and I warm up at the same time. I just have a chat, ask people what they do and where they are from, and just gradually get into my jokes. The shows not a linear show - it's sort of a bit different every night which keeps it fresh. If anything it's the audience that keeps it interesting for me.

"I'm not a nasty comic - I'm a bit more approachable I think. I'm quite friendly anyway and that comes across on stage so I think people find it acceptable to join in a bit. Generally it's just people having a good time. Often people forget themselves and you get people joining in who say 'I'd never say anything in public like that but it felt like it was just me and you talking'." 

Despite coming across as confident and assured on stage Jason admits that he gets nervous before a show. He explained: "I still get nervous even now. I think that's natural. I remember reading some Bob Monkhouse memoirs and he said if you stop getting nervous before you get on stage then you've lost it – it's not special any more.

"I think it would be weird not to get nervous, no matter how big you get, you're going out to talk in front of a load of people who have paid money to have a laugh and you've got to make them.

"Certainly when you come to somewhere different, you're not sure what you can laugh about. You don't want to upset anyone and you don't want to take the Mickey too much."

Jason had obviously done his homework, despite never visiting the Island before, and peppered his set with references to the fairies, low crime rate and the lack of national supermarkets and leisure facilities.

He said: "When you come somewhere like this, where the place has its own idiosyncrasies and its own societal habits and things quite specific to the Island, it's good because you are laughing and learning. Everyone knows about these things but it's only when a stranger comes over that it's highlighted. Sometimes you need that outsider to question what goes on."

Despite poking fun at aspects of Island life Jason was able to make his own judgements after spending Saturday with his extended family who live in Port Erin.

He explained: "What I found odd was that everyone in the UK, when I said I was going to the Isle of Man, said 'oh it's horrible what you going there for?'

"I had this image in my head that it was going to be like a council estate on an Island. I mean I grew up in a council estate so I'm not saying that's a bad thing but I came here and it's beautiful. It's lovely.

"It's the same size as where I live but we've got two and a half million people to cram in and you've got 90,000 to spread out. Everyone's got a job, everyone looks happy and they're friendly.

"It's almost like the people here perpetuate that myth to the rest of the UK - 'don't come here, it's horrible, you wouldn't like it’ - when actually it's lovely. If everyone knew how lovely it was it would be swamped, everyone would be here."

The tour, which Jason began in May last year, was originally called "I'm Turning Into My Dad" but has since been renamed as "Off On Tour We Go" after Jason said the show "became bigger than the name".

Despite the name change he does believe he is starting to turn into his father and said: "I think I am - you just find yourself doing those dad things. Even when we were going around the Island I was actually generally interested in the history of it. You think 'who the hell am I?' The 15 year old me would be going 'who's that guy? – that's not me!' But you also find yourself saying stuff to the kids that your dad used to say to you. I'm at that sort of middle ground where I'm part kid and part parent." 

Talking about his own children, Jason has three young daughters, he quipped: "I'm glad they all look like my wife rather than me. When it comes to DNA I hope they are about 90 percent my wife and 10 percent me. I hope it's literally 'oh they've got his eyes' and then after that nothing else."

The name change is just one way in which the show has evolved. Jason explained: "The show is malleable – it's not a rock I cling to. Every so often I change it. It's sort of like having a football team, every joke is a player and sometimes you'll rest them for a bit so that when they come back they're ready and I'm excited to tell them again.

"I read the papers every day so if anything big comes up that goes in the set. Some stuff just happens - my dad or brother will say something and you think 'that's going in'. It's funny people think more stuff gets in my show than it does. I do sit down and write a show - I don't just sneak around listening to people hoping they will say something funny."

As well as the tour Jason has been working on his own television show for ITV, Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford, but the comedian said his first love will always be stand up.  

He said: "Stand up is better because it is your show and also you get an immediate reaction. You say a joke and you get it back straight away. I much prefer stand up, that will always be what I go back to. The television always feels like you're riding on the crest of a wave and at any moment you could get a little tap and it's like 'that's it you're done' – whereas with stand up you've always got it and I like that."

Despite being a famous comedian himself Jason said he still enjoys watching his counterparts. He said: "I like a lot of different comedy. I even like quite offensive stuff because I know I could never do it. I quite enjoy watching Frankie Boyle, but only for about 20 minutes and then I'm like 'oh no turn it off'.

"I like a good mix. I'm not one of those morose people off stage. How I am on stage is how I am off stage. I buy all the same comedy DVD's as every other comedy fan. I'm still a comedy fan as well as a comic."

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