The therapy of laughter
Caterina Carola has a close peek at the life of entertainer and stand-up comedian Steve Jameson, aka Sol Bernstein.
Will I be giggling for the next couple of hours? I ponder as I reach the corridor, sensing a smoker's aroma. As the door opens, a big welcoming smile is already offering me a cup of tea. I enter the tiny but immaculate Belsize Park studio apartment with my small gift, a box of Italian almond biscuits. It was probably fate, as my host pulls out two packets of the same almond biscuits, his favourites.
For the next four hours, I am treated to tea and biscuits, and the charm and stories of Steve Jameson, a Jewish comedian from Hackney. Jameson's life has been a medley of careers as a singer, businessman, comedian and actor, and although he would not use it to describe his occupation: "it's too poncey", he is a true entertainer.
Married to comedy
Steve became a comic at 46: "The catalyst for doing stand-up was when my third marriage broke up - and I was absolutely devastated." It's perhaps served as a therapy for his heartache, and become a surrogate wife. On a really good night, he says, it's better than sex. And he's not been in a relationship since then: "Stand-up is my mistress, my wife, my lover..." In his act, Jameson draws from his life experiences, and family, love and marriage are the source material for his gags. But ten years on, he is missing the real thing, and would love to be in love again. "I'm an incredible flirt" he says, looking at me through his glasses with his large blue eyes.
Sex, politics and religion
His comic persona, however, is a fictional show business legend aged 82. A genial creation that has earned Jameson an award at this year's Edinburgh Comedy Festival, Sol Bernstein embodies Jameson's all round talent for comedy, acting and even rap. Bernstein gets away with outrageous gags, 'rude' Yiddish words and a lack of political correctness which Jameson would never dare do while performing "He's got the balls to ask a woman for her price list...".
His character is loved by gay audiences, and Jameson admits it's difficult to know when someone is gay: one night in Edinburgh he asked a lady out to dinner but she said "Well no, I bat for the other side" and Jameson replies "Oh so you like cricket?..." One of Bernstein's favourite jokes pushes the limits, when he asks if there are any Jewish women in the audience and, if so, adds: "My mother would love you" - "Why?" - "Because she's a lesbian..."
Privately however, Jameson is disarmingly direct and open, as we discuss parents, sex, religion, traffic wardens, anti-Semitism and his disenchantment with politicians "I would leave the country if Brown ever became Prime Minister."
The talented Mr Jameson
A single child, born in a secular Jewish family amongst the orthodox community of Stoke Newington, his mother was unhappy at his two marriages to non-Jewish women, but she was very encouraging when he was in the music business.
At the age of four he was entertaining his family by singing, and at nine he heard rock and roll music for the first time and decided that was what he wanted to do. At 19 he was a full time musician with his best friend Frank, touring the country, after abandoning his trade as a hairdresser. He also decided to adopt a different name: he knew his business was going to be show business.
The music business however never made him big money, thanks perhaps to a less than scrupulous manager. Jameson also lost his wife to Frank, whom he says he still loves despite all, but has not met again in 30 years.
Part of the crew
It is just a year ago that Jameson's well-known and long established comedy business, The Meccano Club, closed down. The original venue at the Market Tavern on Islington Green was converted to a restaurant and further venues did not work out. He says that the clubs are quieter than they've been for a long time, and there are very few people that can fill a room. Remembering a fellow comedian, no longer doing the circuit, he says: "She is now a Medium... although everyone said she was an extra-large..." Something new and fresh has to happen - Sol Bernstein is a bit different, and he needs to work on his act, hoping for a break.
Jameson still performs at Ivor Dembina's club in Hampstead, as compere or as his alter ego Bernstein, and in many other venues in the UK and sometimes abroad. Ivor, also a successful Jewish comedian, is a long term friend and mentor, whom he met ten years ago at his first audition for a Jewish comedy night in North London. He also runs my local North London club, the Red Rose in Finsbury Park. Comedy as a profession can pay, if you get enough work.
Going straight
However, far more money can be made doing TV commercials and movies, with even small parts. Jameson got a part in a movie, "Suzy Gold", to be released next spring. He realised that as a performer, he could act without any formal acting training. He is chuffed by his acting part in the new film and would love to get a break in the movies - with the lifestyle that goes with it.
Steve Jameson has many loves and passions: his favourite comedians include Harry Hill, Al Murray, Woody Allen, and Lenny Bruce. He is fascinated by the history of organised crime and all things Italian. He would move to Italy, if he fell in love with a nice Italian girl. Or New York, which he visited for the first time only a few years ago, could be his second home - and is full of Jews, Italians and great food.
We have a last cup of tea. It really is time to go, as my tape has long since run out and I make a note of Bernstein's next show in town. As I leave, Jameson generously says "Are you sure you won't take the biscuits with you?"
November 2003