One of the fascinating things I’ve learned since being involved in Comedy is the breadth of variety involved. Shows have different types of promoters, ticketing, acts, set lengths, audience types, and different atmospheres.
Another factor that differs is the types of venue that host comedy nights. Already in my fledgling attempts at comedy, I have performed in a night club, a theatre, pubs, wine bars, and hired rooms in established buildings. On Sunday night, I added a social club to the list.
A social club is “an organisation with the main function of social contact between members and is not related to making money”. They can be recognised as having cheap drinks, and an older guy sitting with an A4 pad by the door checking membership cards, and they usually have to buzz you in at the door. Once in, you’ll often find children placated with cokes and crisps tip toeing to reach the pool table, or that is how it was in the Irish social club we went to as kids. I didn’t think these places still existed, but thank God they do.
Comedy at the Boxmoor Social Club in Hemel Hempstead is a busy affair, with 100+ punters (no kids though) of good humour attending in aid of charity – not sure which charity but I’m sure it’s a worthwhile charity all the same. The night, part of the Laughing Badger brand of comedy, is superbly run by Lee Bryant. The vibe is most definitely relaxed yet maintains the professionalism you hope for on these kind of events. You really couldn’t ask for more from a gig, a warm and plentiful crowd, a lovely bloke running it, a great list of acts, all within a 35 minute drive from home.
All acts for the evening were new to the club, although not new to me (1-0 me, winner!!). I’ve been on with Steve Williams and Winter Foenander before, and MC Rick Pistol held the same role in the Doctors Tonic gig I did in April. Tom Mayhew, El Baldini, and Hamad Khan – fresh from an appearance at Live at the Apollo – completed the acts for the night.
Great mc work from Rick Pistol, the highlight of which was eliciting the nickname of one audience members’ genitalia (Percy, if you’re interested). Steve Williams was the first act up and was typically top rate, not just the fantastic impressions but the way he worked the crowd. I had the unenviable task of following Steve.
I was happy with my performance. I’m not one of those Michael McIntyre lunatics running up and down the stage causing a sweat explosion. I’m laid back and calmer, not an energetic performer and that was something anyone who has read the blog before would know I’ve worked on improving. However with my set, which is kind of self/family deprecating, a more understated approach sort of works – well that’s what Rick Pistol said and that’s good enough for me.
I felt so much more relaxed than previously and the nerves were nothing compared to what I’ve felt in the past and I think that is something that came from being out quite recently – so there is a lesson there in itself. I will be working on the whole stage presence thing, again, it was clear talking with Steve and others that is something that is only developed with stage time. That said, I felt like the night was another good stride forward for me.
A break and a Percy later, and Tom Mayhew took to the stage with a great set which played upon social awkwardness and was extremely endearing and funny. Hamad Khan followed, and recounted tales of encountering annoying passengers while travelling on the tube in London, before another break set in. At this point, I had to make my apologies and leave due to an early start the following morning.
The journey home was good, I’d really enjoyed the night and had met some excellent folk. I’d had a couple of the audience stop to say they enjoyed my set, which doesn’t sound much, but a couple of the other comedians were standing there at the time. I repressed the urge to kiss or lick their faces, and uttered a cool, ‘oh cheers mate, thanks’.
“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”
Whoever said that was bang on the money. Nothing in the diary now, so need to look at that and work on some new gags. Hope to test them out on some of you in the near future.
Thanks for reading.
James