Leaving school at 15, Jess trained at the Lilian McNeill School of Dance and, much later, earned a Diploma in Physical Theatre Practice from Fife College at Summerhall, Edinburgh. Her professional stage work began in 1958 with pantomime and variety shows, performing as a dancer in The Andy Stewart Show, Alec Finlay Show, Lex McLean’s Showtime, and touring across Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Newcastle - and more! In later life, she performed in amateur theatre and was on the production teams for three companies, one for over two decades. She now performs with Tricky Hat Productions’ FLAMES, an ensemble of older artists creating original work. In June, she will reunite and perform with them at the CCA in a cross-cultural performance celebrating creativity later in life. Jess is excited to be sharing her stories of Glasgow's variety shows of the past, and to be bringing it to the stage once again!