5 Reasons Why I Started Doing Stand Up Comedy
Do pity laughs still count as laughs?
I’m on the stage of a cafe in Limerick and one of my opening lines that usually goes down well has absolutely flopped! Forty pairs of silent eyes stare up at me as I try to compose myself and continue my set. Seconds crawl by while I set up the next punchline - this time a flurry of encouraging pity laughs echo around the room. This isn’t going well... it’s going so badly in fact that I can hear the coffee machine whirring in the background while a quarter of the audience resign themselves to their phone screens. I try desperately to not let my nerves show and start almost prancing around the stage with each sentence to somehow keep the attention of the rest of the room. It’s a ten minute spot and I’m only 40 seconds in…
Between the panic, the now blinding spotlight and the beads of sweat on my brow a voice within tells me to cool it and remember what I need to say. The voice then whispers - Why did you decide to do this to yourself? Since I started doing open mic stand up spots towards the end of 2018, I’ve found myself regularly asking the same question. The gig in Limerick didn’t end too badly that night but even the slightest wobble on stage or an uninterested crowd can make you question if you’re up to it at all. I’ve written this blog to state to the world (and remind myself) why I’ve decided to take up such a thing when it seems terrifying to so many.
I Love Telling Stories
Whether it's stories about past bosses, friends, or even relaying the events of a night out, I’ve always loved telling stories in my own way. Comedy has given me the chance to do this at least once a week to an audience (usually around 12 people) and see what resonates with them. I also work in and spend a lot of my time on social media which provides me with no end of material and a unique perspective on things. From empty Instagram bios like “The greatest thing about memories is making them” (What!?) to comment section disputes and the latest “PC gone mad” incidents. All of these combine to give me endless amounts of material to regurgitate into a microphone. If people enjoy it and laugh, well then it’s even better!
Name in lights? How about “comic” sans? Am I right
"I'm Way Funnier Than Them!"
People get into comedy for a variety of reasons. Whether it's as part of a drama course, a college society, a mid life crisis or a long held ambition, a moment occurs that makes you take the leap. Strangely enough though none of the above were the case for me. I do love observational and anecdotal comics like Peter Kay, Tommy Tiernan and Dave Chappelle but I’ve never really saw myself being able to emulate what they do. It wasn’t these heroes that gave me the push to give comedy a try, it was seeing comedy acts or programmes that I thought weren't funny that gave me the kick I needed!
The Big Bang Theory is considered a hugely successful comedy show that millions love so I can surely on the same planet at least become a semi professional comic? BBT does use canned laughter to tell people what parts are supposed to be funny and to be fair there's definitely been times when I could have done with that too. It would be easy for me to say “I can do better than that!” for the rest of my life from the armchair but if I at least give it a proper go now then I can say “Eh yeah gave that a bash in my twenties and Its actually a lot harder than it looks!" So far I’ve found that comedy can be hugely subjective and something that’s funny to you in your head can land flat on a stage. It’s about finding what sticks!
The winner of these “battles” get a rubber duck. I’ve won it once already because my friends were the only people left at the end of the night!
Meet Interesting people
The comedy scene in Dublin is full of characters. There’s people from all over Ireland and the world and each contribute to a melting pot of styles, personas, performances, interesting cultural observations and even musical acts. I’d been to a few open mic comedy shows in the past and being part of one always looked like as much fun as the performing part. Most comedians on the scene earn little to no money for getting on stage yet still continue to do it because it’s something their passionate about. It’s a bit like playing GAA except you’re more likely to bring shame home to your family and local area than a championship medal. Everyone I’ve met so far in the comedy scene have been sound and quick to give advice or insights into getting better at it as you go.
Me and a selection of said interesting people after a gig in Mullingar
To Get Better At Marketing
This wasn’t an initial reason behind why I started getting into comedy, but it’s becoming clearer to me that comedy and marketing are pretty much the same thing. For both you need to know your audience and be able to relate your ideas to them in a clear and impactful way. Much like marketing a business, the magic the audience see’s is only a small part of the full story. Behind all the good stuff is the hours of note taking, training(practicing), networking, planning, emailing and repeating these on a weekly basis to build the interest and the hype around your act. On the promoting myself side of things I have so far been lacking and so prepare yourself because the gig spam is coming! (once I get the gigs obviously)
The Rush
All of the above reasons pale in comparison to the real reason why I think all comedians start doing stand up comedy. I think it’s the weird rush you get with standing on stage and knowing that you’ve to make something from nothing. You’ve stood up to take 5 or more minutes of peoples attention and they’ll either like you or dislike you for it (no pressure). I’ve seen the Grand Canyon, I’ve witnessed Damien Dempsey in Vicar Street many times but even those two things don’t really match the feeling of being on stage yourself and managing to get a few laughs (pity or otherwise).
The pre show nerves, the thrill walking up, the good rooms, the bad rooms, the tough crowds, the tiny crowds, the boozy tourists over on the Ryanair flights, the dodgy mics, the support from friends and family who would have no other reason to come together of a Tuesday night and even the awkward “jaysus fair play to ya lad” from that bloke beside me at the urinals after a spot in Mullingar. All of these little moments combine to keep amateur comics like myself coming back each week to get our fix! It's something that I can already see myself always wanting to be a part of and is well worth getting involved in if you're thinking about it too.
Dante’s is always a good night
If you’re looking to watch some up and coming and experienced Irish comics in Dublin then some of the places I have had the opportunity to gig in and can recommend include Jesters at Sin e, The Comedy Corner in Keoghs, Dante’s in the Lord Edward, Battle Of The Axe In the H’appenny Bridge Inn and Comedy Gold in both the Button Factory and the Cobblestone.
Hopefully I’ll have plenty more stage time in 2019 and get better as I go! Keep an eye on my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter where I’ll be posting about any upcoming gigs where you’ll be able to see me in action (please don’t heckle).