If you told me, even a week ago, that I would be scripting a stand-up routine, I would have laughed at you: one of those laughs that involve tea coming out of your nose.

But last night, I attended a stand-up event for comedy new-comers, and giggled out loud at just 1 of the 10 comics. The other 9 I found either tedious, or offensive.

So, I couldn't help but think to myself, I've hosted an event, and people laugh at me, why not try stand-up? And between my partner and myself, we nearly scripted a full draft for a 10 minute act in the car on the way home.

I've just sent a text message to a friend who used to work the comedy circuit, and now acts in comedy TV programs... his advice...

1. Stand up isn't easy. Don't think for one micro second that it will be.
2. Go with your guts 'cause your brain will talk you out of it.

I'm feeling brave, for now. Brave enough to put the act together and try it out at on a new-comer's stage (cabaret/comedy/whatever)... Let's see how I feel in one month's time, when I have the costume, script and props...

I'm still trying to suss out what my motivation is for doing this. I think it's a combination of being a frustrated audience member (i.e. if the comics can't get it right, I'd better do it myself) and wanting to add another skill to the repertoire. Or, maybe it's just insanity.

xox

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Its quite clear form your previous posts that you're not insane lol

Burlesque seems to work best, from an audience point of view, if theres an element of comedy/satire so an experienced performer like you should be a wonder to behold, go for it!

Soon you'll be planning sell out comedy burlesque nites aplenty...."Brace yourselves for Beatrix Von Bourbons breathtakingly barmy brand of brazen comedy" (sorry, couldnt think of a 'b' word for comedian lol)

love and side splitting laughs Amethyst Du Louvre xx

I work at a live music venue and we have comedy nights every saturday. Sometimes they're fab and sometimes they're so bad you just want to curl up and die inside for the performers!

It's hard to even say what works best as some performers are great with a big crowd but not so good when it's quieter, and vice versa. Some just can't cope with hecklers and others go to peices when the audience doesn't get thier brand of comedy.

It's a hard one, but if you're up for it, do it! What have you got to lose? And if you don't like it, at least you can say you've tried, hey?

Good luck! Let us know when you're performing your first stand-up night

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Teehee. There are already quite a few comediennes combining physical burlesque with work on the microphone. I've always been in awe.

I'm not sure of the extent to which the piece I'm working on will fall into the 'burlesque' bracket, but it will certainly be cabaret!

Oh, I find burlesque performers can be exactly the same when it comes to pitching an act at a particular audience.

And I think you've nailed my outlook quite concisely there. I've got nothing to lose other than a little bit a dignity... and it's not like I've got much of that left, anyway! As long as I keep my feet on the ground and don't try to run before I can walk (so to speak), I don't think I can go far wrong.

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Good luck Beatrix! I really hope it goes well for you

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I definitely definitely think you should go for it - I think you'll learn lots more about yourself and I think it will help you with your burlesque too.

I watched a Faking It USA last week where a very straight-laced fire captain had to fake it as a stand-up comedian and it was really interesting to watch. His first show he absolutely bombed, dried up totally, had no rapport with the audience and also in the training he just took himself way to seriously.

But prior to the final challenge he worked on his routine (which he based on himself and his experiences, the sort of write about what you know thing, rather than telling jokes he thought would be funny) and did some stand-up at every opportunity he could, in front of work mates, on a bus, in the open air etc. and he grew so much in confidence it was untrue.

His turning points were going to an improv class where he stopped over-analysing 'what is funny?' and working with an acting coach who taught him to tap into his own emotions (that he had been scared to show) - she said that an audience best connects with someone who takes the risk at showing their emotions....I have no idea whether this is true on not, perhaps Rufus or Lucille Burn can tell us from an acting point of view - but it worked with him.

Have you thought about finding an improv class to develop your style?

Go for it - I think you'd discover whole new sides to yourself and gain even more confidence from stepping outside the box (oh dear management-speak)

Good luck!

I'm so impressed with how brave everyone here is. I know what you mean about watching people and thinking "I could do better", I would just never have the guts to go and try.

If you have people laughing with you already, you're more than half way there.

You HAVE to let us know how you get on!

Great that you are giving this a go, well done you!

I do stand up comedy, I've done slots of between 5 - 10 minutes so far and I absolutely adore it! Great fun and you meet great people. How long is your set and where are you doing it?

Your friend is right though, it isn't easy. I spent months writing and re-writing before I did my first gig. Trying to work out what sort of persona I wanted to have, my tone of delivery, timing (which is a HUGE factor) etc.

Atleast you already have the advantage of being used to the stage it's

Both reasons are good motives. A lot of people are giving comedy a go nowadays because I think people do look at the big name comedians that they see and want to give it a go. It's becoming much more mainstream, there are courses at Universities and hundreds of workshops and books on the art of comedy. But making it more widely available like this also means that there will be an influx of people who don't think too much about the work that goes into it and just head into it thinking it'll be easy. Hence, as you described, there are sometimes reams of people who just want to give it a go but haven't actually thought about the fact that just because a few friends think they are funny, doesn't mean the same will be said of a paying/non paying, possibly drunk, possibly rowdy audience. I admire anyone who gives it a go though because the only way to find out if your material is any good is by trying it out on an audience.

The adding another skill motive is good too, I adore performing stand up and I'm looking to get into performing Burly so hopefully they will compliment each other

Let us know how it goes! xx

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*~*Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it and the reaction will be passionate!*~*

Thanks hun!

I'm definitely thinking about a class of some sort. I got into burlesque before classes became widely available and, to this day, feel that I would learn something from attending one. It would be very wise for me to tread carefully with a new area of performance.

Oh these forums can be wonderful confidence boosters! Thank-you, my lovely. I can't wait to see what comes of this. Give me 6 months and hopefully I'll have something ready to go. I've really got to focus all my efforts on my MA dissertation until the end of August.

I may pester you if I have any very basic questions I'm aiming for 2 versions of the same act - one at 5 minutes and another around 10. I plan on making it so that I can easily cut/add jokes depending on the set length and audience response.

I think this is the same with many areas of performance. I don't mean to come across as though I think I can create a professional and incredibly entertaining act within a month! I sure as hell don't! It *will* be hard work if I want to make the piece as fun as my ambition is currently pushing for. I don't expect to have work offers thrown at me and know I will have to start at the bottom of the ladder (again) and work up. While *I* might not rate some of the stand-ups I've seen, I will always bear in mind that they're already one step ahead of me - they have an act and are performing it on stage. In many ways, my own reaction doesn't matter too much, promoters are booking these performers and audiences are responding.

You have to respect your peers, always.

I'll see how things work out. It's definitely a naughty, slightly risqué piece, aimed at the audiences I know best. I might even try it out for the first time at my own event before looking at trying it out at new-comers events.

...but yes, back to the dissertation, for now!

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Of course you can! That's a good plan, I take that approach too. My friend's dad used to be a comedian and said that you can try a joke out on an audience 3 times and if by the third time you still haven't got any laughs with it then think about why. Is it just not funny? Is it a joke that people don't understand? is the delivery/timing wrong? would it work better if it was written differently? etc. Don't worry about all that for the first one though, the most I could manage was trying to remember my material on my first gig, let alone anything else!

Just have fun with it



Don't worry, you don't come across like that at all!

It does matter though because you were part of an audience and the effect of a joke on an individual can affect the reaction of other audience members because going to a comedy club is like sharing a collective sense of humour. You are more likely to laugh when most other people there are laughing than if there are some who aren't. It's like identifying with what is being said on many different levels and on the whole, the best comedy is universal, things that almost everyone can laugh at. Therefore, if you didn't find some of the acts funny, chances are there will be others who felt the same. At that stage of a comedy career the acts shouldn't be taking it too seriously anyway, it's all about learning.

and regarding promotors booking the acts, that doesn't really happen until you get very established. Certainly at my level it involves a lot of pestering club owners or people who run comedy gigs to let you have some stage time!

I'm so intrigued!

xx

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*~*Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it and the reaction will be passionate!*~*