Brief Description
A dark, razor sharp wit. Offbeat and irreverent, just the way we like it!

Biography
Be ready for pretty much anything when Jason Cook takes to the stage. Behind his cheerful Geordie exterior lurks a dark, sharp comedic mind capable of taking an unsuspecting audience to places they didn’t want to go. Dwarves, newspaper vendors, the toilets at raves, true-to-life stories that drag you in and won’t let go. Cook is close to the edge but always intriguing and blessed with the sort of charm that’ll have you laughing in spite of yourself.

At the same time Jason can cater to any audience with his prolific writing and irresistible charm.

Jason was first bitten by the comedic bug as part of the renowned Newcastle based sketch troupe known simply as Soup. He then went on to make a name for himself around the Tyneside area, most notably his time spent as a regular compere at The Hyena Club. There is no better place to hone comedic talent than in front of 300 baying punters, many of whom look capable of eating their own young.

Jason is also head writer of Soup groundbreaking sketch show, and writer of Die Clatterschenkfieternmaus and Malcolm and Mirriam. The 2005 Edinburgh show gaining a treasured 4 star review from the Scotsman

In 2007, Jason took his first solo stand up show to the fringe, selling out for the bulk of the run, and earning 5 star reviews. He then embarked on a sell out world tour and scooped the coveted “Best International Show” at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, an award previously won by Eddie Izzard and Stephen K Amos.

In 2008 he returned with to the Fringe with “Joy”, earning MORE five star reviews and selling out the run to the point that extra shows had to be added to cope with demand. Another world tour of "Joy" sold out the New Zealand Comedy Festival and once again, we were forced to add extra shows to keep up with the sheer numbers of people wanting to see the show.

Jason was also invited to the Adelaide Fringe Festival where he hosted the entire season of the prestigous "Best of The Edinburgh Fest" showcase for the month.

2009 sees him return to the Fringe with “FEAR”, another show based on the trials and tribulations of his own life.

It is Jason's style of being completely honest about everything he talks about in his shows that have endeared him to the public, earning an army of fans and invites to perform across the globe. His ability to lift an entire audience, from 150 to 3000 people, an carry them on his journeys, is unparalelled and has seen him rise to stand shoulder to shoulder with the cream of the international comedy stars.

"the best MC this side of anywhere.... Geordie genius" - Tim Arthur, Time Out, London

Press Reviewing 'My Confessions';

The Herald
9th August 2007
Show Rating:

“Jason Cook's comedy star is surely in the ascendant with this astonishingly accomplished debut solo show. He creates vivid comic scenarios with contemptuous ease, punctuated by some gut-busting one-liners…”

”…his delivery is as smooth as brown ale…buttock-clenchingly funny.”

”.. a genuinely life-affirming hour.”
Reviewed by Dominic Somerville

Chortle.co.uk
20th August 2007
Show Rating:

“…surely the most raw, emotive and tear-jerking stand-up you’ll see on the Fringe.”

“This is powerful, visceral comedy that grabs your feelings and wrenches them from one direction to another. “

“So when the show reaches its powerful conclusion, yanking at the heartstrings, you empathise so much with your honest new friend, that it’s impossible not to be moved. Emotionally manipulative? Maybe. But then isn’t that what all good art’s supposed to do?”
Reviewed by Steve Bennett

Timeout
20th August
“..a gem – someone you didn’t know before, an hour of such sublime comedy that it seems to illuminate the world a little bit and makes your own sad life seem positively joyous compared to the sufferings of the man or woman in front of you.”

“. ..brutally truthful piece of comedy delight.”

“Ultimately, Cook brings the set around to being a life-enhancing message that is never sickly sweet or disingenuous.

This was one of the funniest and most touching shows I’ve seen in a long time.”
Reviewed by Tim Arthur

The Scotsman
12th August 2007
Show Rating:

“THE unexpected find of the Fringe.”

“…it is this humanity that gives the humour real depth and resonance. “
Reviewed by Jonathan Trew

The Metro.
August 16, 2007
Show Rating:

“…he doesn't lose his crowd for one second.”

“…a master at moving his audience. A brilliant comic can make you laugh, feel uneasy and touch your heart; Cook does all three with ease. If he's not at least nominated for an if.comedy award, there's yet another thing wrong with the world.”
Reviewed by Mickey Noonan