Where in the world am I today?: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Prologue: I had my first opportunity to work alongside Jon Hicks while I was working at the Edmonton International Street Performer’s Festival the Summer of 2002. For some reason I recall a group of performers heading to the West Edmonton Mall because someone wanted to ride on the indoor Roller Coaster… I opted out so I could take a picture of the event from a strategic vantage point, but light was low, the coaster was fast and the image I captured was more blur than anything else… Ran into Jon again again at the Waterloo Busker’s Carnival (Summer of 2004) and Jon came out to Vancouver for the 2008 PNE Street Stars Program. It’s been really fun watching Jon’s show develop and his onstage character really come into it’s own. Great guy, great show, good times!
Stats:
Name: Jon Hicks
Birthday: November 4, 1962
Place of Birth: Blackheath, London, UK
Started Performing/Working in the Industry: Started in the industry in 2000
Discipline: Artist in Action – started as a speed painting act, has developed to include all sorts including visual comedy, (see new Elephants show)
Websites: http://www.thejonhicks.com and http://www.artistinaction.co.uk
Video Link: http://www.thejonhicks.com/page2.htm • http://www.thejonhicks.com/page3.htm and New show ‘Elephants’ – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBoYApwRjxg
Venues Worked: lots of street stuff, UK, Canada, Japan, New Zealand some of my favourites. Corporate gigs all over. Recently quite a bit of Variety/Cabaret in UK, there’s a boom, The Grand Theatre in Blackpool in February, which was home to many old variety music hall acts, very exciting.
Hot 10 Questions:
- What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream and why? • Chocolate, because it’s the best, just an instinctive thing.
- Name one movie that would make it to your Top 10 all-time great films • Brassed Off
- What was your favorite toy from childhood? • Not one, but liked action man, toy soldiers and my teddy bear toffee.
- Who were your biggest inspirations when you got started? • Rolf Harris ( a TV presenter/performer who did very quick paintings). Fraser Hooper as a contemporary street performer.
- From the world of animation what one character do you most identify with or see yourself in? • Not sure but always liked the Pink Panther cartoons.
- Name something that scares you. • Getting too old to perform and play football (soccer).
- Apart from the entertainment industry, name one other job you’ve had. • Scenic painter.
- What’s something you haven’t done yet that you’d like to try? • Go to Australia.
- What’s your least favourite thing about being a performer? • Shopping centre Gigs when you travel miles, the people who booked you don’t care and there’s no changing room. but you are told you can use the toilet (bathroom).
- If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? • “Annie will be with you later and there’s a five a side football(soccer) game every day.”
The Nugget:
Pick one nugget of wisdom you’ve picked up from your career in Show Business to share with the World.
“Walk your own path.“
–Jon Hicks
