It sounds strange but I actually got into comedy without really planning to. My girlfriend at the time was a big fan of stand-up so took me to a show. I loved it and we then became regulars at shows.
I thought that would be that until she - without my knowing - booked me onto a stand-up comedy workshop for people who wanted to become stand-ups (I didn’t!).
I begrudgingly went along as it was a gift from her and they made us come up with ideas and perform them.
The moment I actually did it, I had an epiphany that it was what I’d been missing. The rest is history.
GETTING HANDS DIRTY
My memory of early gigs is really bad but I can recall that at my first ever proper gig (outside of the workshop), I’d written my set list on my hand. Then shortly before going onstage, nerves meant an emergency toilet trip.
I then realised I couldn’t wash my right hand or my notes would come off. I remember regularly before, during and after being aware I was doing my first gig with an unwashed bum-wipe hand!
Richard Wood
THE COMEDY STORE (PART 1)
Open spots are all really a blur apart from the ones that felt like a big deal. I remember doing my first five-minute open spot at the Comedy Store in December 2005 (I was very new) and it was quite a rowdy Christmas show.
Jason Manford was so funny hosting, but a lot of the acts were having to navigate quite a drunken, easily distracted audience. I was so nervous, and I wasn’t on until late in the show.
I went on and, by some miracle, had a really good gig. Good enough that I came off aware I’d actually had one of the best gigs of the show.
Afterwards, I sat down with the owner Don Ward who said “How’d you think that went?” And I arrogantly claimed that other than Jason, I’d been the best of the night.
He then calmly asked “Have you seen Michael McIntyre before?” To which I said “No” (this was just before he got famous). He told me he was on next so to watch Michael then come back and tell me how I think I did.
McIntyre came out and had the best gig I’d ever seen (and potentially still ever have). It was unbelievable how much he took the place apart. I remember sheepishly going back to Don and accepting the lesson I’d been taught about getting ahead of myself.
THE COMEDY STORE PART 2: WINGING IT
Another Comedy Store seminal moment came about 18 months later when I did my final 10-minute try-out spot. I had then won a couple of new act competitions and been picked up by my first agent.
I knew if I aced this one I’d get my first full paid weekend at the club.
En route to the gig I had a funny incident on the Tube and decided I was going to talk about it onstage.
My agent was dead against it as this was my 10 minutes to prove myself, so logic stated I should do my best tried-and-tested material.
I couldn’t help myself, so I went out and just winged it and luckily it really worked. I remember coming off knowing I’d proven myself and feeling like a proper comedian.
Richard Wood
GETTING TOO MUCH LATITUDE
Some big gigs have not gone as well over the years. I was lucky enough to host the main stage at Latitude a few times and one time in particular I did not act quite as professional as the occasion deserved.
I was hosting from 11am on the Saturday right through the day with a selection of the biggest and best comedians. I had accidentally got so drunk the night before right through to the morning.
I pulled myself together and worked out a system where I would bring an act on then go to the portaloos and vomit (and repeat).
This fell apart when Janine Garofolo (US comedy legend) went on and had what can only be described as a stinker! I was vomiting in a portaloo when I became aware of issues onstage.
I came out to people frantically looking for me as Janine was in the midst of getting booed off but wouldn't leave the stage until I returned. I’ve never felt more unprofessional.
Come and see me now I'm a grown up and much more professional comedian (most of the time!). I'm doing the Edinburgh Fringe in August with my new show 'Another Round' and then out on tour from September to December. All details here: carldonnelly.info
