I went to university to study screenwriting but realised that being able to come up with something and say it in front of a microphone on the same evening was a lot more appealing. This came to me in a proper eureka moment when I was having a shower – and holding the shower head felt like a microphone.
I was a very shy 21 year old who had always hated any kind of public speaking, so I have no idea how I managed to muster up the courage to try stand-up for the first time. But I’m glad I did.
Comedy Café competition
In 2013, I had only done about five gigs – I was very inexperienced and scared. Most of the London open-mic nights were not great, but I saw that The Comedy Café had a dropout for their new-act competition night – and the first person to reply would get the gig.
I remember nervously getting to the venue and as my stage time grew closer, my legs began to feel more and more like jelly. The other acts were confident and very slick, (unlike me) as they boasted about how many gigs they had done.
When I finally got up on stage, I went blank a few times but did get some good laughs. I felt humiliated at not being able to remember my stuff like everyone else. In the interval, a few people came up to me to tell me I had done great, but I thought they were just being nice because I struggled.
At the end of the night, the winner was announced – and it was me! It was the first time I felt like I could actually be a comedian, and I realised that being naturally funny and not necessarily like everyone else could be such a bonus.
Gareth Dutton
Beat the Frog rough gig
When I lived in Manchester as a new comic, I used to compete in the Frog and Bucket’s ‘Beat the Frog’ gong show. I had done it a few times and almost won. I was set to do the Christmas show and had no idea that Christmas gigs are generally a rowdy mess. I invited some new friends I had made and they watched as I lasted about a minute before being gonged off.
I felt awful for about two weeks but learned so much about how gigs can be different – and how I would have to perform differently according to the situation.
Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year award
In 2015, I competed in the Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year award, and made it to the final. I had never performed at a venue as big – or as nice – as the Leicester Square Theatre. I managed to get runner-up along with a £500 cheque. I had never been given £500 before. I loved holding my A4 runner-up certificate so much and felt like I could really have a career in comedy one day. I missed my last train and had to get night buses home which took hours.
Gareth Dutton
Best Newcomer nomination
In 2016, I took my debut show ‘CAKES’ to the Edinburgh Fringe. I had heard that other comedians would do a ‘cowards hour’ where they would do a 45-minute show so they weren’t eligible for the Newcomer Awards and stood a better chance with an improved show the following year.
I felt like I had a good show and just wanted to go for it. I wasn’t really that aware of the Awards at the start of the month and by the end, I was nominated for Best Newcomer. It was a bit overwhelming because I never expected to get so much attention, but it was also one of the most exciting times of my life.
I heard the news of the nomination in the morning and wasn’t allowed to tell anyone, so I bought boxes of chocolates for the ‘Just the Tonic’ staff, winked at them and ran away. The Nomination allowed me to have a decent career as a comedian for the next 10 years.
Twitch
In 2020, when I lost all of my gigs, I decided to try to stream on Twitch following advice from fellow Comedian and Twitch Streamer, Limmy. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
I was able to build a big online audience and regularly perform live, interactive shows in the form of my creation, ‘HOT PEPPSY’, an ongoing surreal drama in which I play an unhinged football manager.
I was able to connect with audiences in ways that I had never done before. It was incredibly fun, fulfilling and rewarding and it still is. It showed me that I can do much more than just stand-up.
Come and see my show, RUBICON, at the Edinburgh Fringe at Underbelly Jersey (Bristo Square) at 8.30pm, I promise it will be really fun, unique and very funny.
