Jarred Christmas returns home...to Christchurch

Ex pat Cantabrian Jarred Christmas returns to Christchurch during this years NZ Comedy Festival.  Jarred left in 2000 to find fame and fortune in the United Kingdom.  He has since become one of the top standup comics on the British circuit and has been nominated for the prestigious Chortle Award as Best MC 4 times.

Jarred will return to his old school, Hagley Community College to perform two shows May 7 - 8.  I chatted to him about why this return is so important and whether his heart lies with Christchurch.

Firstly, I have to ask,  have you been back to CHCH since the big quake?
Yes I have been back to Christchurch twice. The first time back was during the filming of the Comedy Convoy. Where I had an emotional look at the arts centre for the first time. We did a show at Burnside High Schools theatre which was amazing. I did a massive fundraiser over here in the UK for the CHCH earthquake. We raised over £20k

Do you still have family in Canterbury?
I don't have family in CHCH anymore, but I still have a very strong connection to CHCH. Its where I came of age, its where I call home. I have loads of friends there. Its really where it all started for me. I started doing acting at Christchurch Drama centre and later at Hagley Community college, the onto Hagley Theatre company and the Court Theatre. I started improv in CHCH. I was a member of the court jesters for 3 years, I started stand up at the green room in 98, andI worked at More FM.

Tell us about your time at Hagley
Hagley was a school that allowed me to flourish. I went from an all boys school that was obsessed with sport.  To then go to a school that catered for what I wanted was unbelievable. I did drama, psychology, film/TV studies and  Dance. The school allowed us or more accurately put up with us shooting short films around the place. It was a creative environment full of people who wanted to be there. I also made some of my best and longest lasting friendships at Hagley. Hagley community college then led me onto Hagley theatre company which really built me into the performer and person that i am today. It was the first time in my life that I loved school. I found a place that I felt I belonged. Sure I flunked Maths in 6th form, but I did a helluva contempory dance that year.

You are now a very successful comedian in the UK, how has your Christchurch upbringing and your experiences at Hagley College shaped who you are?
It was my formative years in CHCH. Everything the city exposed me to, like the buskers festival, the court theatre, sneaking into Baileys 818 and the palladium under age all have had a lasting effect on me.

I just always felt CHCH to be a really creative place to grow up, once I found my outlet, I found the opportunities.  It didn't feel small to me, it felt just right.

I grew up in Dallington, with the number 11 bus stop right outside my house which took me straight into The square. I could walk home in 30 minutes from town. Hoyts 8 was gentle stroll down Colombo street. The Honey pot cafe, Java and the jet set lounge by the polytech. All cool places to hang and get inspired to do shit. Of course the art centre was the place for me, Boulevard cafe and the pumpkin and choc chip muffins. We used to be in there filling our faces before doing the 11pm Friday night Scared Scriptless shows at the Court Theatre.
CHCH is ingrained in me. I've lived in numerous places in NZ and now living in  London, but when asked where is home, I still say CHCH.

Jarred Christmas in Let's go Mofo!
The Open Stage
510 Hagley Ave, Christchurch
8pm, Tuesday May 7 and Wednesday May 8
Tickets $25 / $20 (booking fees apply)
www.eventfinder.co.nz