Andrew White
Published: Friday 4th October 2024
It was the first of times, it was the worst of times. And this time it's a warm welcome for Andrew White, who is about to head off on his debut tour, with the intriguingly-titled Young, Gay and a Third Thing. Put us right, Mr White.
"YG&ATT (as I abbreviate it in all my to-do lists) is my latest stand-up show and easily my favourite hour so far," he explains. "It's a gag-filled personal journey featuring drag queens, football hooligans, Oscar Wilde, reggae, musical theatre, and meat raffles."
Which just leaves one question: how does his mysterious third thing compare with classic mysterious third things, like The Third Man, or Close Encounters Of The Third Kind?
"The Third Man is one of my favourite films, so I hope it compares artistically, but thematically it's probably more like Close Encounters: an uplifting story of discovery with a reoccurring motif. And away from pretentious cinematic comparisons, my 'Third Thing' is really the narrative driving force of the show and an excuse for lots of jokes!"
Which is always good. Now let's begin at the beginning.
First gig?
It was a youth open mic for 12-18 year olds at Salisbury Arts Centre. The woman running it, Flo, was in an improv troupe so knew about comedy, pointed me in the right direction, and asked me to host the show. It was a great gentle introduction into everything and the perfect combination of well attended enough to be worthwhile, but not so packed that too many people saw my pretentious and undercooked 15-year-old beginnings.
Favourite show, ever?
I'll once again say Salisbury, at the Studio Theatre when I was 18ish. I came to perform my debut Edinburgh show for a final preview before the Fringe and it was just perfect. I did about 1hr30mins straight through and the audience (of mostly friends) were so on board and just let me have fun.
It was so good that the second preview the day after in the same venue felt very flat in comparison and I learnt an important lesson about going into every gig fresh. Although, in typical Fringey fashion, the second worse and smaller-attended gig gave much more in the bucket.
Worst gig?
I got booked to do an hour at Weymouth Working Men's Club when I was 19 (I promise I have also done gigs when I was not a teenager). It was a Halloween social and the octogenarians did not want a young gay boy to try and make them laugh (spoiler alert, they didn't).
The mic was terrible, I stood on a massive dance floor and for the last 20 minutes just plugged karaoke tracks into the PA and sang musical theatre numbers in a last ditch attempt. They were all in costumes which made it even weirder, and then as a final kick, my money was handed to me in an envelope labelled 'Comedian' that the Entertainment Secretary had hastily scribbled sarcastic quotation marks around...
Which one person influenced your comedy life most significantly?
Flo at my first ever Salisbury gig was invaluable in setting me on the right path. I might never have started in earnest without her. I must also acknowledge my very loving (gross, I know) parents who have afforded me so much support, time, and free accommodation when I was starting to properly go for it, post-school.
And who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?
My first ever Edinburgh Fringe saw my father and I clash with a very nasty performer who was having a bad time and looking for anyone to take it out on. I will keep it anonymous but I saw a recent forum post that indicated they were still just as bad and causing issues...
Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?
So many, I keep returning to loads of failed routines. Occasionally I'll finally crack one, but most just get an annual run out before being re-shelved.
What's your best travel tip, for touring comics?
A Premier Inn is always worth the extra cost. Unless it's literally ~£50 or more expensive, the Inn beats out all of its competitors.
Any reviews, heckles or post-gig reactions stick in the mind?
A seven year-old at a festival told me he didn't know the difference between a comedian and a chameleon. I asked if he knew now, and he replied, "Yeah... I prefer chameleons."
How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?
Looking back at my teen origins through this Q&A has made me really reflect how far I've come actually. I'm very happy, very lucky to do this as a living, and very hopeful for the future.
Andrew White: Young, Gay and a Third Thing is touring the UK from 13th October. standupandrew.com
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