EdFringe Talk: Jake Baker: The Gentle Men’s Club

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“My show is about a certain type of manosphere masculinity and I think the key has been trying to understand where it comes from rather than just dismissing it as dumb.”

WHO: Jake Baker

WHAT: “Masculinity is in crisis! Alpha Dogs and Macho Maniacs dominate the conversation. But is there another way? Can feminism work for men? What are the benefits of the sit-down-wee? Join hilariously funny, critically acclaimed, all-round good egg Jake Baker (recipient of the Fringe Monkey Talent Award 2025) as he explores a more gentle approach to being a chap. ‘Thoughtful and very funny!’ (List). ‘Quietly impressive; a talent that shouldn’t be overlooked’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Endearingly offbeat’ **** (TheEdinburghReporter.co.uk). ‘Consistent laughter throughout, an easy manner at the mic belies the cleverness of the writing’ (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Hoot 4 at Hoots @ The Apex (Venue 108) 

WHEN: 13:15 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I first came to The Fringe in 2013, bright-eyed and hopelessly naive. I split a show with another comedian on the Free Fringe and I think we found the whole thing so overwhelming we barely saw any shows or even talked to anybody but each other. With repeat exposure, however, you get used to the chaos.

I’ve been back almost every year since and I love it! It’s the best thing I do all year, I love working on a show, honing it, tinkering, editing, getting it just right until its something I’m really proud of and I can’t wait for people to see it.

And hundreds of other artists do the same, so there is so much to see.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I think I have really grown as a performer and writer putting this show together over the last year or so. I’m trying to tackle quite a divisive topic that isn’t obviously hilarious, so finding ways to get the laughs has been a fun challenge. My show is about a certain type of manosphere masculinity and I think the key has been trying to understand where it comes from rather than just dismissing it as dumb. It would be easy to just say “look at these stupid meatheads” but I believe I thread the needle and find comedy with some compassion for their misguided rhetoric and an offer of another, more gentle way to be a chap.

Tell us about your show.

I’ve been working on this show for about 18 months. First doing it as a ‘Work In Progress’ show at last year’s Fringe and then taking it to a number of other festivals up and down the country. I’ve had to trial a lot of material and making sure it’s all really funny because with a topic like online misogyny and modern masculinity, this show could be a little dry. But it’s really important to me it’s very funny.

In February I started meeting with a director, David Hardcastle (he directed Sam Nicoresti’s award-winning show ‘Baby Doomer’ last year) and that has been incredibly helpful. He has a great eye for structure and theme but, most importantly, he is adamant that the show should be funny from start to finish. It doesn’t matter how worthy your material is — it’s a comedy show, and you gotta make ’em laugh.

More recently I have been working with Ignacio Lopez and his production company, Comedy Sheep, to get all the graphic design and promotion together.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I also host a late-night show with my friends Steffan Alun and Cerys Bradley called ‘Comedians Play Video Games’. It’s a sort of improvised game show where we get other comics to play games like Mario Kart and Smash Bros, as well as getting the audience involved for speed run challenges and head to head competitions. It’s anarchic and silly and really really fun.

Steff is also doing a solo show at Hoots Apex called ‘Windows’ at 18:15 and Cerys is doing a show about road signs at Nicolson Square Gardens at 12:40.

Other shows I would recommend are Dr. Benji Waterhouse’s Madsplaining, a comedy show about his experience as an NHS psychiatrist.

Also, Eric’s Tales of the Sea – A Submariner’s Yarn. A funny, heartwarming storytelling show about working on a nuclear sub.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!