Stand-up newcomers report back from their charity gig

Craig Beadle has previously told us how he ended up signing up to a stand-up course for charity and what the 8 weeks of the course were like. In this final instalment we get to hear how the end-of-term gig for Changing Faces went. Not just from Craig, but some of the other people taking part in the charity challenge too...

As I was stood by the side of the stage watching Logan Murray compere (in character as Ronnie Rigsby), all I could think is 'what the hell have I let myself in for?'

I was the first act, and I was absolutely bricking it. My nerves were so bad that an audience member stood next to me tried to reassure me I'd be fine. If you're reading this, random lady, thank you!

As I was introduced, I walked onto the stage to the audience's applause and Logan patted my shoulder and said "knock 'em dead kid"... Then something unexpected happened. I took the mic out of the stand, something I'd seen hundreds of comedians do over the years, and suddenly everything, all the nerves, the pressure, all of it melted away.

Stand-up has always been a dream of mine. I wrote my first set when I was 12 (it was god-awful, as would be expected). I first made a list of open mic nights I could go to at 16. Most embarrassingly, the message I left in my school yearbook was about me performing stand-up some day. But it's taken me so long - I've wanted to be a comedian for more of my life than I haven't.

And I suddenly - there with mic in hand - had no idea why I didn't do it sooner. It almost didn't matter whether the audience laughed or not (but, my god, I was relieved when they did).

This whole experience has changed my outlook. I've had work colleagues comment that I'd been making more jokes (not better, I hasten to add), I've had people tell me I look happier and more confident, and the truth is I feel it. If you're reading this thinking "I wish I could do that..." you can. And you should.

You've heard a lot about me over these articles. And, no matter how much I say it, I'm worried some of you will just be thinking "oh he says he wasn't cut out for it, but he has something I don't...". So what better way to dispel this than to show some of the other newbies who performed alongside me that night? We're an eclectic bunch from all walks of life. So here's how some of the others found the course...

Barbara Plows

Day Job: Wife, mother, grandmother, and Clinical Director at a charity.

Why did you sign up? I saw the advert on an arts website and it connected to me immediately at a deep level. A friend has a child who was born with a facial disfigurement and has been helped and supported to cope through Changing Faces. Meanwhile I have always wanted to "face my fears" and do stand-up. I do not think I am particularly funny, and my husband and family consider me to be less funny...

What was the experience like? From my first contact with [organiser] Anthea, to standing with legs shaking on stage at the 1001 Club, I have experienced a mixture of excitement, anxiety and the most amazing feeling of being ALIVE. A whole new world has opened up to me with the introduction to a bunch of people who were also first timers, and our development along the way has been a shared experience.

Would you consider performing again? Yes.

Lucy Cavendish

Day Job: Journalist.

Why did you sign up? I always wanted to try it. This was a good opportunity, and all for charity!

How did you feel during the classes? Hopeless, lost, useless.

How did you feel on stage? Like a diva.

Would you consider performing again? No!

Sonja Garsvo (aka NotMrsK)

Day Job: Attempting to be retired. My background is in communications and one of my roles, former Director of Apple Computers UK, saw me involved in the launch of Macintosh. Today I'm a business and communications consultant; Prince's Trust Business Mentor; Trustee of Pitzhanger Manor Trust; on the Advisory Panel (former President) of Women in Public Relations; the Advisory Panel of Huguenots of Spitalfields; a Committee Member of Walpole Friends; and Grandma of five!

Why did you sign up? I found a post on a Olympic Ceremonies Facebook Page (I performed in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies) and thought why not? Particularly as it caught me while on holiday in France after a number of glasses of rose...!

What was the course like? I had an absolute ball! I haven't laughed so much for years, really enjoyed everybody's company, their comedy and enthusiasm - most being 30 years or more younger than me! I will miss my Tuesday comedy fix.

How did you feel on stage? I got on stage and the nerves disappeared! I felt very powerful, knowing I could create laughter in other people's lives! I just loved performing!

Would you consider performing again? Oh dear, I rather think I might!

Will Cook

Day Job: Quantitative Analyst for a betting firm.

Why did you sign up? I always fancied the idea. I do love comedy to the point of obsession sometimes. It just needed a catalyst. Craig, who's on my softball team and invited me along, was that catalyst.

What was the course like? Before each class I felt a new sense of nerves, however once I got going I realised you'd look much more of an idiot not being one, and was happy to go with the flow. Feeling self-conscious would only be counter-productive.

How'd it go on the night? I fluffed my first line, which was annoying. Once I got the first laugh though I felt fine. Given the brightness, I have no idea how my body language was on stage. My girlfriend greeted me with "you were actually very funny" and, given that she rolls her eyes at the majority of my jokes, I took that as a compliment.

Would you do it again? Living in Essex I need to go out to a few comedy clubs and see what goes down. I feel like everyone is a comedian in this county, and none of them are in tune with my sort of humour, so we'll see.

John Ashcroft

Day Job: Working for the man.

Why did you sign up? At a comedy night I made a remark about a comedian who was having a shocker, naively stating that 'I could do better than that' - that throwaway remark was thrown back at me by my girlfriend, like the proverbial gauntlet. Unbeknownst to me she signed me up for the course. I was a bit nervous when I found out, but also very excited. I now choose my words more carefully!

What was the course like? I missed the first class and arrived late to the second so wasn't really sure what to expect. Doing exercises and getting up to speak to people with the express intention of being amusing was at first daunting and quite different from my day job, so it took me a while to get used to it.

My over-riding memory of the first workshop was how nice and actually normal everybody who was doing the course was, and that Logan was really good and full of helpful practical advice. Also, as I'd rushed straight from work each week I was the only person in a tie, which I believe is the appropriate attire for satire.

How'd it go on the night? Having had an unspoken competition of out-doing some of the other guys in terms of the number of 'safety wees' before going on stage (I don't want to name and shame at this point), it is fair to say I was a little nervous.

As the day of the show was also my birthday, I had previously had a momentary lapse into madness and/or hubris and had invited lots of my friends, so I was feeling pressure not to bomb in front of them. After I didn't trip on the way onto the stage, got my first words out ok and, against all the odds, managed to prise a laugh out of the audience, I found that it was fine actually.

By the end of it I was even pausing to let the audience laugh before starting my next sentence. I was a little bit sad when it finished and it was with a heavy heart, but a very light head, that I left the stage to thunderous applause. And by thunderous applause I mean some clapping, a smattering of laughter and a notable absence of people throwing bags of piss at me. What more can you ask for?

I had assumed that I would be totally relaxed when I had finished my five minutes and just enjoy the rest of it but I was actually just as nervous for everyone else that they got the laughs that they deserved. It was also my birthday so I had a piece of cake, which is always nice. Did I mention it was my birthday?

Would you consider performing again? I had assumed that this would be a one night only performance but five separate people (none of whom I had bribed or blackmailed) came up to me and suggested that I should do it again, including one person who asked whether I would be interested in doing a slot at a night they are involved with. I was genuinely shocked as my main aim for the evening had been not to embarrass myself on stage i.e. freezing up, soiling myself, spontaneously combusting etc.

I may consider doing it again but I think one of the things I valued most was the people I met doing the course, us all going through the same process and watching people get better and better each week. I am not sure that I will go on to forge a tiny furrow in London's big and scary stand-up world, like some sort of Johnny Appleseed of comedy. However, having now got a gig under my belt/notched on the bedpost/bitten into the pillow - the next time someone says 'do you think you are some kind of comedian?' I can defiantly answer 'yes, that is a very astute observation' in a way which is simultaneously sarcastic and factually accurate.

Marian Priestley

Day Job: Personal Assistant/Cook. Writer.

What was the course like? I was nervous every time, with equal measure of excitement.

How'd it go on the night? Same as above, but a hundred times more!

Would you consider performing again? Yes, I have a gig booked for the end of January.

Sue Gouldman

Day Job: Career Coach.

Why did you sign up? I signed up to the course for a few reasons. Someone had recommended Logan as a great tutor - which he is! Comedy is my favourite genre so it seemed like a good opportunity to gain a greater understanding of what went on 'behind the scenes'. I wanted to learn more about the writing process. I was also looking for a new challenge to take me out of my comfort zone - it certainly did that! And Changing Faces is a very worthwhile cause, so why not?

What was the course like? I went through various emotions during the classes. Sometimes I felt out of place and asked myself "what am I doing here?!!" (being the oldest person on the course!). I also confess to feeling shocked by the liberal use of crude language. Sometimes I found the writing exercises hard and felt I would struggle to pull something together that might actually work. Sometimes self-doubt crept in and I wondered whether I really had the courage/talent/chutzpah to actually go on stage and perform. However I always felt very supported/encouraged by the guest tutors Lynne Parker and Annabel O'Connell and especially Logan. In fact, without that encouragement I may well have bottled out!

How'd it go on the night? As I was due to go on stage late in the second half of the show my anxiety levels grew - the longer I had to wait the greater the likelihood I would forget my lines. Then when Logan built me up in the introduction I couldn't help thinking "Oh no - such high expectations - how can I possibly match them?!" However, once on the stage it (more or less) all came together. And the thing about comedy is that, if you do make a few mistakes / ad lib etc, the audience seems to appreciate you even more! It's a great feeling to see/hear people enjoying themselves and know you've managed to entertain them - and raise the much needed charity funds as well.

Would you consider performing again? Maybe...

Nathalie Friel

Day Job: Waitress/Arts Facilitator.

Why did you sign up? I watch a lot of comedy. I was a weird kid. My older sister recalls a time when I was about 7 years old, holding up a bag of fish in a pet shop and chatting away to them. From that day on, she knew I'd get into some kind of performance. But I am usually terrible at remembering jokes. I normally get self-conscious telling a long joke, or mess it up somehow.

I saw that Changing Faces were doing the Face Your Fears comedy challenge and thought it really would be a challenge for me and a great way to raise them money. Yes, I've acted in the past but I've hidden behind characters. Stand-up comedy, it's just you. You're so exposed: 'Am I actually funny?'

What was the course like? Everyone's so funny, and what an interesting mix of personalities. I got scared. Got even more scared. Then masses of relief when I got my set worked out a week before we were due to perform.

How'd it go on the night? I opened the second half and got to the stage in preparation pretty early. I sussed out the faces of the two first rows. I just thought to myself 'We're all people. They are not a vicious pack of wolves. I'll be fine!' I felt pretty comfortable and playful.

Would you consider performing again? Yes, definitely. I fancy a lot comedians. Maybe I'll get to meet them on the circuit ;-)

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Here's a video of the night:

Craig also asked Anthea, the organiser of the gig for some thoughts...

Anthea Neagle

Day Job: Comedy Promoter for gitsandshigglescomedy.co.uk

Why did you organise this? A few years back I put on a comedy night as a fundraiser for the charity Changing Faces, Sophie Erskine their fundraiser extraordinaire contacted me again to see if I wanted to put something together for the Face Your Fears campaign 2014 (where daring sorts do something scary for sponsorship)...

We both thought a stand-up comedy night for people who hadn't done it before would be a tremendous challenge! The horror of public speaking! The panic of joke writing! The relief when you get a laugh! We thought that a short course leading up to it would be the best option; the rationale being that the more time we had with the budding comedians the less likely they would bottle it on the night - it was basically a hostage situation with laughs.

So, a good idea yes, but it needed someone special to lead the course and get these amusing daredevils into shape! Cue the super talented Logan Murray - a bit of a marvel on the comedy scene and famous for coaching the likes of Eddie Izzard, Rhod Gilbert and Greg Davies. Such skill usually comes with a price, but we were lucky enough to catch Logan at a weak moment and he kindly agreed to run his course at a hugely reduced fee. Suddenly this went from being a good idea to pretty much the best idea this century, with custard. (I'm still over-excited)

I was passionate about this - I'm a big fan of comedy and I'm a big fan of Changing Faces so to mix the two together has been a real treat. As a kid, my biggest success was being in the top 10 of children with the worst cases of chronic eczema (I had it, like, really badly) so I've had some experience first-hand issues that arise from looking differently to others. It's difficult to handle and sadly it seems even more difficult to handle for some people without it!

Bullying, nasty comments, rejection at every turn - in short, for a kid/teen/adult trying to navigate through life, it can feel like a living hell. On the spectrum of disfigurement my condition was relatively mild, but I could go on for pages about the emotional impact it has had on my life, not all negative - of course it's no coincidence I ended up in the colourful world of stand-up comedy, it was impossible to get through those days without be able to laugh at it all. Another perk is that I'm also able to ask for E45 cream in 16 languages. That's the end of the perks!

So I was totally pumped to do this right - with a lot of publicity and social media effort from Steve Taylor at Changing Faces, The Sunday Telegraph and The Islington Gazette we recruited 13 budding comedians who went through the comedy mill during September and October, taking weekly classes with Logan (we were lucky to get free rehearsal spaces donated by the generous staff at the vibrant Star Of Kings pub in Kings Cross). The class went to lots of comedy shows to see how to do it and how not to do it, plus they workshopped their new writing with star ladies Lynne Parker and Annabel O'Connell from Funny Women who also donated their time - so many people helped to make this happen.

Showtime was November 1st at super cool Cafe 1001 on Brick Lane - a packed crowd of 170+ people! Changing Faces spokesperson and now Hollywood movie star Adam Pearson gave an inspiring speech to kick it off, our favourite MC Ronnie Rigsby introduced the first act (extra kudos to Craig for going first!) and, as the night went on, we saw these 13 bright souls do their first 5 minutes of self-written, solo performed, stand-up comedy... magic!

I felt all puffed up and chuffed for them and what they had achieved - to see them all a quiver at the side of the stage, and then bound up to the mic and give it their all was special to watch. They all rose to occasion with showbiz swagger!

And the best bit? In sponsorship and ticket sales they raised over £5000! A good proportion of the final total of over £25,000 for the Face Your Fears campaign 2014 - an amount that would pay for a helpline to run for a year to help a child or adult cope with managing their condition - and all through the positive power of having a chuckle! It's been a right, ruddy pleasure to be part of making this happen. Here's to 2015!

Find out more about Changing Faces at www.changingfaces.org.uk

For more information about Logan Murray and the workshops he runs go to www.loganmurray.com

See Also:
Part 1
Part 2