British Comedy Guide

Getting into stand up for a young person.

I'm sure someone has already done this kind of thread before,but i can't be bothered to find it. Anyway does anyone know how a young person like me can get into doing stand-up at clubs or what ever? Do you have to get an agent?

*Awaits thread to be moved*

Mozzie, Really you should start at 18 when you're old enough to enter pubs and learn about swearing.

May I ask how old you are?

There are still ways round it. For instance do you have variety shows at your school? If so, enter them! Or hell even present them... I was known as the class clown and as such got offered stuff like this.

I would suggest trying to find comedy clubs that do open mic nights. I think there are places that still do this where you go up and stay on until someone hits a gong or buzzer. You could also see if there are any places that do classes on stand up comedy with a performance at the end. I guess if the instructor thinks you're good and they have contacts then they might be able to get you some small shows. There are probably a few of these in London and Manchester but you could find out if any local colleges (particularly ones with a practical slant) do any evening classes.

I'm 16, 17 in about 3 weeks.
we had them at our school, but we would just take the piss out
of our teachers so we were banned for life.

Quote: Johnny Green @ August 27 2008, 8:17 PM BST

I would suggest trying to find comedy clubs that do open mic nights. I think there are places that still do this where you go up and stay on until someone hits a gong or buzzer. You could also see if there are any places that do classes on stand up comedy with a performance at the end. I guess if the instructor thinks you're good and they have contacts then they might be able to get you some small shows. There are probably a few of these in London and Manchester but you could find out if any local colleges (particularly ones with a practical slant) do any evening classes.

If you're under 18 you're going to have trouble, trust me I tried.

But yes the course thing could work.

City Lit (in London) do some stand up courses, I was just looking the other day.

They do all sorts actually, writing comedy too, (and one about dark comedy - where you study League of Gents and Chris Morris, that in particular sounded awesome.)

Quote: Johnny Green @ August 27 2008, 8:17 PM BST

I would suggest trying to find comedy clubs that do open mic nights. I think there are places that still do this where you go up and stay on until someone hits a gong or buzzer. You could also see if there are any places that do classes on stand up comedy with a performance at the end. I guess if the instructor thinks you're good and they have contacts then they might be able to get you some small shows. There are probably a few of these in London and Manchester but you could find out if any local colleges (particularly ones with a practical slant) do any evening classes.

thats a good idea.

I hate to think how crap I would've been, if I'd done stand up at 16.

Quote: catskillz @ August 27 2008, 8:32 PM BST

I hate to think how crap I would've been, if I'd done stand up at 16.

Laughing out loud

Same here - My first routine at 17 was bad enough.

That's not to say that Mozzie won't be good though. I have seen SOME good teenage comedians.

Quote: zooo @ August 27 2008, 8:46 PM BST

That's not to say that Mozzie won't be good though. I have seen SOME good teenage comedians.

Ross Noble started at 15.

Sorry that's a poor example... but yeah a wave of young comedians are coming through at the moment.

oh yeah i'm in the wrong forum again.

Quote: MOZZIE BEATZ @ August 27 2008, 8:10 PM BST

but i can't be bothered to find it.

Just the attitude you need to get ahead in comedy there.

Quote: Seefacts @ August 27 2008, 9:20 PM BST

Just the attitude you need to get ahead in comedy there.

yeah true. I hope my career doesn't crash easily too.
maybe if i get norton. i'll be funnier.

The Aaron punctuation patrol is gonna hit his thread anytime now - run for the hills!

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