Jon Wagstaffe is Tewkesbury born and bred.

The founder of the local comedy nights company Scallywags, he has been making audiences in Gloucestershire laugh for almost a decade.

“Scallywags started in 2013 after I’d been on the comedy circuit for two years previously,” said Jon.

“I’d always wanted to be a stand-up comic and significant life changes gave me a push in the right direction.”

And it certainly was the right direction for Jon, with Scallywags now hosting regular comedy nights around the county.

The shows feature both local comedians – including Jon, who MCs – as well as well-known comics from the UK comedy circuit.

Scallywags’ next night of comedy is at The Watson Hall in Tewkesbury, on Friday 13th September.

Jon continued: “The show is a double headliner special featuring two comedians seen on TV.

“Noel James is a previous Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, and Nathan Caton has appeared on Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Russel Howard’s Good News.

“Also appearing is character act Marti portrayed by local comic Tim Hoskins. We think we've covered all bases having a storyteller, a one liner and a character act, with myself as a high energy host, its sure to have something for everyone.”

Jon, who had just finished a weekend compering the comedy tent at Lakefest when he spoke to The Local Answer, is excited for the show.

He says performing in and bringing big names to Tewkesbury is a great feeling.

“I’m really looking forward to it and there seems to be a growing buzz in the local area, Tewkesbury folk are pretty good at supporting local talent. I always love performing in my own town and having an extensive local knowledge is greatly beneficial as a host.

“Booking high calibre acts is pretty straight forward if you've got a good reputation as Scallywags has. Acts love their jobs and working in good rooms with a good crowd makes it all the better.”

For Jon, the experience of live comedy is something that you just can’t beat, whether you’re on stage or in the crowd.

“The pull of live comedy for me is the unexpected twists it can take,” he added.

“On TV things are always heavily edited but you can’t do that in a live setting – if someone sneezes or falls off a chair you address the situation. It’s the thinking on your feet and the connection with a live audience that first makes you fall in love with comedy.

“Everyone should watch live comedy at least once.”

For more information visit www.facebook.com/scallywagcomedy