Jen Brister

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Jen Brister (actual name: Jennifer Brister) was born in February 1975 and is a stand-up comedian from South London.

Brister studied theatre at Middlesex University, where she took a course in stand-up comedy in the mid 90s, which was the only course of its kind at the time in the UK. Other famous graduates include Alan Carr, Renton Skinner of the Dutch Elm Conservatoire and Clare Warde of the Runaway Lovers. Brister's first gig was a showcase for course and held at the Kings Head in Crouch End.

Since then, she has performed in London venues that include Comedy Camp, Comedy Store, and Big Night Out as well as hosting her own nights that include Hysterics at Shaun & Joe and CatFlap Comedy at the Player Bar, Soho.

She is also a comedy writer has and performed alongside Doug Faulkner & Clare Warde, as part of the comedy sketch group, The Loose Connection. They appeared regularly at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, Etcetera Theatre, Sketch Club and The Enterprise in the mid 2000s.

Brister is a lesbian and has subsequently been lazily dubbed the "poor man's Rhona Cameron" Downs, Sean (June 2, 2006). "Try It". The Mirror, p. 18.

She is currently working for BBC 6 Music as a stand in presenter.

[edit] Awards

Cutting Edge Comedy Mardi Gras winner in 2002 (London Gay Pride Festival).

Twice semi-finalist for the BBC Comedy Awards.

[edit] Appearances in 2006

Brister starred in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2006 with her show "Me, My Mother and I." In Time Out, March 2006 Jen stated "'It's really an exploration of my relationship with my mum. It's an analysis, as well, of where I am at this point in my life. I'm 31. I'm single. I don't own a house. Or a car. I don't have kids. Or any solid financial security. At 31, my mother had three children and a fourth on the way. She was married and she had a mortgage." Source: Hay, Malcolm (March 22, 2006). "Comedy - Mother's Day - Jen Brister" Time Out, p. 52.