Performing comedy under 18

Written by: Joe Gardner
Published: Thursday 21st January 2016

I'm Joe and I'm 17. I turn 18 in March and I can't wait. Naturally, I'm looking forward to being able to buy my own alcohol and go to the pub but, also, it means I can play more comedy venues because, at 17, the options are very limited.

I got into comedy last summer. The fantastic team at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh selected me as a finalist for their Class Clowns comedy competition, the teenage equivalent of So You Think You're Funny?. I had just left school and, as I departed, my drama teachers said I should give it a bash.

It was something new, and I'd always loved television comedy. I'd seen a few stand-ups live before, but I was no expert. The competition was part of the Edinburgh Fringe and myself and the other finalists received some friendly guidance from other comedians performing at the venue. I don't think anyone, let alone a first-time teenager, could go on stage without letting someone hear it first. After all, I could have been crap...

The judging panel featured Gilded Balloon founder Karen Koren, Fringe director Susan Provan and comedians Kevin Day and Jo Brand. I had a good final rehearsal of my six-minute set that afternoon and I felt I was going to do myself proud, win or lose. As someone once said, "Everyone thinks they are comedian", a statement which is true, but can surely be added with "Yes, but only some have the nerve to actually do it."

What can you talk about when you're 17? Well, being 17 is an interesting age. For me it's circulated by braces (the dental variety), driving lessons (the car variety) and attempts at romance (the hopeless variety). I stayed away from the latter topic during Class Clowns, mainly because I was actually trying to impress someone who was in the audience and didn't want to embarrass myself too much.

I talk about my Mum and Dad a lot. They are actually funny (the ha-ha variety) a lot of the time. Sometimes, without realising. I've also been lucky enough to see some amazing places in the world, so discussing some interesting holidays is always a go-to.

However, I don't have a wife (yet). I don't have kids. I don't have a 'proper job'. I don't have the adult style bravery which leads you into conversations in public places that lead to hilarious anecdotes. I'm not a particularly big music fan either, so I can't really talk about that (Actually, that's not true, I do like music but my taste is, to put it politely, 'shite', so I won't discuss it any further).

For a 17 year-old though, I have lead quite an interesting life of highs, and sadly, lows. But I think that's what motivates me to do comedy: knowing someone who's having a bad time can maybe feel a bit better by listening to you just chat. That is pretty good.

So, I'm a little limited material-wise. And I can't play comedy clubs or pubs with a certain license... yet. I can't really do much swearing because most venues that I can play are family friendly. But, there aren't many under 18 comedians out there. I have a bit of a unique selling point.

I've been very fortunate in getting publicity and press after my win. After an appearance on BBC Radio Scotland, Donna Campbell from Café GRO and I decided to set up a teenage comedy night. The first of which, takes place on the 23rd January in Glasgow. It'd be nice to take this round the UK, getting more young people into comedy and nurturing their talent. Trying to make Class Clowns the event of the teenage calendar.

I think that, without laughter and looking at things lightheartedly, then we'd all be miserable. Being a teenager is a tough time. I think more people should hear what teenage comics have to say. Licenses are all well and good... but surely someone will have us?

I'll be taking on the adults at So You Think You're Funny? in August. I'm wetting myself with nerves. I love teenagers. But I simultaneously hate them. That is called being a teenager.

Joe's gig is being held at Café GRO, 15 St Margarets Place, Glasgow, G1 5JY from 6.30-9pm on Saturday 23rd January 2016. Entry is free! Keep up to date with how Joe is getting on in his comedy career by following him on Facebook