How hard can it be to make people laugh?
Having spent the last few years writing reviews, I was invited to put myself in the spot-light and see what it felt like to be the performer rather than the reviewer and brave a comedy crowd. Here is how I got on.
"Yeah sure. Sounds like fun. " The second the words leave my mouth I become painfully aware that I'm struggling to think of anything less fun than standing in front of more than a 100 strangers while none of them laugh at my jokes.
Too bad. I've said it now. "Ok, will see you on Tuesday. Looking forward to it." I put the phone down and probably turn rather pale.
I've just agreed, for no reason other than I find it difficult to say no to people, to do a ten minute set at the next Laugh It Up comedy night. It is in five days. I had better get funny. And quick.
Laugh It Up, for those of you who don't know, is a hugely popular monthly comedy night at Venue M in George Street. Fronted by TV funnyman Steve Furst it has fast become one of the region's top comedy nights and has been at the forefront of Hastings ever-growing reputation as the comedy capital of the South Coast.
Clearly then the audience at Laugh It Up, having been treated to some of the best comics on the circuit, is one which expects acts to be funny. This could be a problem. Even more so as I only have five days to prepare and one of them is going to be spent being best man at a friend's wedding.
To say I am regretting the decision would be putting it mildly.
It is 8pm on Tuesday. As if by magic I find myself stood backstage at Venue M nervously counting down the five minutes there is left until I go on stage. If they go by as quickly as the last five days have then I am in trouble. I'm talking to the comic who will follow my short set.
If I was hoping she might put my mind at rest I was wrong. All I have managed to get from this short conversation is a more clear appreciation of quite how stupid I have been. I have plenty of jokes, most of which I am sure are funny, and I have practiced them almost non-stop for 48 hours. Its not stopped me getting gripped by the very real fear of silence and making a complete idiot out of myself. I look round for a quick exit but before I know it I'm being called on stage.
The rest, it is fair to say, was something of a blur. With 100 plus pairs of eyes staring expectantly at me my preparation payed off and the gags started flowing almost on auto-pilot. After a few early laughs it actually became quite fun.
Far from the abusive heckle ready audience of my nightmares the Laugh It Up crowd played as big a part as I did. They paid their money and they wanted me to do well. A few gags get greeted with more groans than giggles but on the whole the audience responded well and before I knew it I'd said my closing gag. As I walked of stage I make a promise to myself: never again.
Then for the post-mortem. "For a first time that was brilliant" beamed Steve Furst, the evening's compere. "You looked relaxed and your delivery and timing was spot-on.
"You've got to do it again. Seriously, it would be a shame not to."
Within a week the routine is getting hits galore on www.youtube.com, I've been featured on the Guardian Online, been a news item on a comedy website, been offered another set at Laugh It Up and entered in a stand-up competition at London's Comedy Store. Maybe another couple of goes wouldn't hurt. I was never any good at keeping promises...
To see the routine click here. Warning: strong language.
Get yourself down to Venue M tomorrow night to see how the professionals do it. Wendy Wason, one of a trio of organisers, is on stage from 7.30pm and entrance is only 5.
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Weather for Hastings
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
