Stand Up On Everest - 1 week until departure
Published: Tuesday 29th March 2016
A few years ago, a debate started about the suitability of arenas as a venue for stand-up. Many felt that the feeling of intimacy between audience and performer is essential to the nature of comedy. So, then, what about stand-up, say, on a mountain? Well, I'll let you know...
The challenge: Go to venue. Watch a comedy gig. Head home. Job's a good 'un... right?
Well, the 'venue' in this case is Everest Base Camp. It stands at 5,365m above sea level and will take us 9 days to get there, including acclimatisation days. There probably won't even be a bar at the top. Is this actually a stand-up gig?
I've done my fair share of comedy endurance over the years: I've got 4 'Mark Watson long shows' under my belt, including the one I live-blogged for BCG in 2013 for 25 hours. It might have just been garbled rubbish by the end, but hey, we got there. A couple of all-day Edinburgh's at the Phoenix, worth a mention too. I didn't have to train for those though; the hardest thing I had to face was finding an appropriate lull to sneak to the loo. No such trouble where we're going: there won't be any!
The comedians attempting this mighty feat will be: Tom Wrigglesworth, Mickey D, Martin Mor and Wayne Deakin. Fair play to these guys. I don't think I'd fancy doing my day job when I've just spent over a week hiking uphill with 50% less oxygen.
Everyone involved is also raising money for Save the Children, helping young people internationally to live a safer and better life. Please donate if you can. All money goes 100% to Save the Children (don't worry, we've paid for our own trip - it's almost certainly the most I will ever pay for a gig ticket).
Yes, it's going to be amazing, an experience of a lifetime, but I have got to finish it first...
Kendal mint cake at the ready!
To find out more visit www.standuponeverest.co.uk You can also follow the group's progress via Facebook
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