Back on the road last yesterday as Northampton’s Victoria Inn played host to the ‘We Are Most Amused’ monthly comedy night. The night is put on by comedian Tom Young, who also MC’s the evening with some great audience interaction. Tom is possibly the most relaxed person I’ve met on the circuit to date, let alone for a promoter. I’d heard from another comedian that it was a good gig to perform at and I have to say that is absolutely correct. Tom said about the venues layout, “it shouldn’t work, but it does”, and that is very much the case.
I had to leave before 11pm to get back to Stevenage as the wife had to leave at the crack of dawn to see her newly child-ed chum ‘tup north. Disappointed to miss the set of a lovely comedian I met named Sarah Martin and really hope I get the chance to catch her at a show soon.
Sat down before the gig with Tom and Harry Stachini, I gawped around the place trying to visualise how the night works. It looked like we would be stealing our laughs from each other and the bar staff. Then one or two came in, joined by more, then another group, and another, and within 20 minutes the venue was bubbling and the crowd had that beautiful ‘want-to-laugh’ look about their faces. I then found out, not long after Tom, that the venue was closing in two days while a new tenant was sought. A real shame and hopefully a pro-comedy replacement will be found before too long.
Also chewing the fat on the table was my wife Liz, the second gig she’s been able to come to thanks to Nana and Uncle Shaun taking the kids for a couple of peaceful days. It’s great having Liz at a gig; it means I don’t have to beg anyone else to record it. But seriously, she has to listen to the jokes over and over in the build-up and it’s great for her to be there to hear the reaction to the hard work we’ve put in.
Harry Stachini was up first. Harry performed at the Newport Pagnell gig I did, gig number two for me. A very friendly guy with a slight scouse twang (sorry mate), Harry has a good opportunity coming up soon at a big show and I wish him the best for it. It’s a great set brilliantly delivered so I’m sure it will go well.
My turn was next. I quite like being second position for the night, you’re not first so you don’t have a cold audience, but neither are they comed-ied out. Another bonus is you don’t have long to wait and worry about your set. All round, it was a good start.
This was my first ten minute show and the first showing of my new set. It’s different to my first, in the sense that the first probably chased easier laughs if I’m honest. The emphasis on more mature subject matter means the output is also slightly less likely to be viewed by my mum or kids. Of my previous experiences, it was most like the first gig, because I didn’t know the strengths and weaknesses of the set and that did throw me at one point when a gag I was sure was a belter escaped laughter-free.
The set went down a treat. Watching the video back, I’m elated with the number of new jokes that got a lengthy belly laugh. The line I had added for the benefit of Liz’s attendance went down really well and she became part of the show. After I’d left the stage, the MC (Tom) raised a round of applause for the ‘long suffering Mrs Howard’. The last section of the set was possibly my favourite moment of my currently four-gig career. It didn’t really feel it at the time, but I also looked more relaxed and aware of the audience – and I managed to shut my cakehole long enough to let them laugh! By no means the finished article, but definite progress. I feel like I’m getting a good understanding of the type of comedy that works for me.
I couldn’t have hoped for a better response and I’m buzzing again like I was after my debut in April. That’s not to say all the jokes worked, there were no groans or sighs, but there were a couple of jokes that passed like I’d just given a brief weather update between gags. A couple of the audience spoke to me about my set, one while I was pissing, which was a bit weird. Maybe I’ll try using the bathroom in future. The feedback was great and again gave me belief in the new set. People got it, and I was frigging delighted that they did.
I’ve got some work to do in a few areas of the set to have ready for my next gig, which sees me return to the stage I made my debut on in Luton. I’m really excited about going back there, this time for ten minutes. I am sure I can pick the lessons from the last night and make the most of the great night of comedy next month.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.
James
URL: http://www.jameshoward.me.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jameshoward1
Twitter handle: @standupjames (https://twitter.com/StandUpJames) – come on…. someone?? anyone??