Jason Byrne’s Telly Idea Which May Also Work on the Radio Show: Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, 2007
Play: Coalition: Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh, 2012
Pleasance Late Show: Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, 2013
99 Club Comedy: Ruby Blue, Leicester Square, London, 2014
Lovin Linda Smith Gala Concert: In Aid of Target Ovarian Cancer: Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, 2015
Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe: Assembly George Square Studios,, Edinburgh, 2015
Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe 25th Anniversary Gala: Assembly George Square Theatre, Edinburgh, 2016
Bearcat Comedy at The Viaduct: The Viaduct pub, Hanwell, London, 2018
Always Be Comedy: The Tommyfield pub, Kennington, London, 2019
Jason Manford Presents: The Weekly Stand Up: Online: 2020
Always Be Comedy Online (4 shows): Online: 2020
The Return of The Craic: Online: 2021
MY Comedy Chats: Online: 2021
The Confident Crow Comedy Club Online: Online: 2021
Always Be Comedy Online: Online: 2021
Always Be Comedy Online: The James Gill Roast: Online: 2021
Headliners Comedy: George IV pub, Chiswick, London, 2023
One of the best female comedians on the comedy circuit, Jo Caulfield is an Edinburgh Fringe favourite and veteran. Indeed, I have seen her live many times notably as an actor in the Fringe play Coalition in 2012 but mostly as a comedian. Her reflections on modern life are concise and perceptive and she always manages to bring her audience with her, leading them on an enjoyable journey through her woes and frustrations.
To show what a versatile comedian she is, one of her funniest performances I saw was in 2013 at the Edinburgh Festival, where she was compering at the Pleasance Late Show. Everything was going well until the lights suddenly went out in the Cabaret Bar and she had to carry on performing in the dark. She did so to brilliant effect entertaining the audience for twenty minutes undeterred until the lights were fixed. She was widely praised by the crowd for not just carrying on in the circumstances for being effortlessly funny in an awkward situation.
Caulfield opened the Bearcat Comedy showcase at The Viaduct pub that I saw in October 2018. Having been performing comedy for years, Caulfield was extremely professional with the audience making sure they had all their drinks before she launched into her routine about changes in long term relationships.
I saw Caulfield again in October 2019 where she performed at Always Be Comedy to a delighted audience. Included in the set was a brilliant routine involving the perils of airport security queues. Caulfield had a unique ability to relate to her audience by connecting with them and using them in her routine. I have seen her many times over the years from headlining to compering and warming up for TV recordings. Her consistently funny material on everyday life and her winning personality made her a very funny and memorable act.
Caulfield deservedly headlined Always Be Comedy Online in June 2020, featured in The Weekly Stand Up hosted by Jason Manford online that I watched in July 2020. Caulfield returned as a guest for Always Be Comedy Online for three shows in August, November and December 2020. She also headlined The Return of The Craic Online Comedy Club in January 2021 and was a guest for Maureen Younger’s online chat show MY Comedy Chats, performed at The Confident Crow Comedy Club Online in February 2021 and for Always Be Comedy Online in March 2021. Performing brilliant astute material from her home during the pandemic (some routines were in preparation for an appearance on the Royal Variety Performance), she was one of the most naturally gifted and hilarious comedians and such a pleasure to watch. Describing her experiences of forced living with loved ones, Caulfield could really relate to the online audience and big laughs could be heard continuously. What was particularly impressive to watch was the wealth of new material she delivered for each performance.
In June 2021, compere James Gill celebrated his birthday online at Always Be Comedy Online. An amazing line up of surprise comedians including Caulfield gave a no-holds-barred tribute ‘roast’ to the great man. The show was one of the funniest ninety-minutes of the year.
The comedian played Headliners Comedy club that I watched in Chiswick in March 2023. The wealth of new material included a brilliant insight into TV’s The Apprentice, and she was in complete command of the laughter-filled audience.
Caulfield is effortlessly good, exceptionally funny and is a superb comedian.