Maxine Jones was a journalist in London before moving to Ireland in 1990. She did her first stand-up gig in a Dublin pub in 2011 and was hooked. She has since toured four Edinburgh shows, been a guest on BBC Woman’s Hour and performed in the RTE Comedy Showcase and the BBC New Comedy Awards.
We chatted with Maxine in advance of her gigs here at the Civic on 2nd & 3rd December
How did you get into comedy?
By mistake. Went along to what I thought was a weekend comedy writing workshop, and it turned out we had to do 5 minutes stand-up at the end in front of a live audience. Was going to bail out but went ahead and loved it.
Have you ever had an embarrassing moment on stage?
As I get older I get embarrassed less and less often, though conversely I embarrass my sons more and more. On stage anything untoward can usually be mined for a joke.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I’m inspired every time I see a woman comic on stage holding the room and giving it her all. Most recently it was Jenny Éclair at the Royal Festival Hall.
How do you feel before you go on stage?
Happy to have the chance to do it – and glad there’s an audience.
What do you hope audiences will enjoy about ‘Now we are 60’?
Hearing stuff that isn’t usually voiced and seeing an older woman in what is generally considered young male territory.
And finally, what was the last TV show you binge-watched? How many episodes did you see in a sitting?
Smiley’s People – 1982 BBC mini-series in the genre of The Spy Who Came In From the Cold. Watched it in two sittings of three episodes each. Growing up, always wanted to be a spy. My sons think I am.
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NOW WE ARE 60, Friday 2nd & Sat. 3rd Dec. Civic Theatre, Tallaght.
