Musings and new venture

Recently I've been putting off writing entirely new material or crafting existing "bits". When I've got a gig coming up, I instantly try and remember what the venue's sound-system is like. Have they got a projector? How are the audience sat? For the past while I've been seeking out ways to do something that isn't just (as Lorcan McGrane would say) "gurgling behind a microphone for ten minutes". This could include a lecture presentation, a short film, poetry, a character; basically something that isn't what would immediately pop into your mind when you think "stand-up comedy". It's not that I'm trying to smash expectation and be some sort of pioneer (all of the above have been done for years in Belfast alone, with hopelessly funnier than me people doing them).

Like every comedian, another comedian influences them. Whether be it their first ever five minutes, or indeed the reason they clamber up onto the stage. For the past while I've been watching less "conversational" comedy; quite little straightfoward "stand-up" itself, so it makes sense that I might want to write something of another ilk. However, lately I've seen other comics being influenced in such a way that baffles and depresses me. Probably to the point where I'm subconsciously running away from the traditional areas of stand-up to more surreal fare.

For example, you ask a comedian who their favourite comics are, and out will spill a predictable list with perhaps one or two you haven't heard of. You ask them who their influences are, and you're likely to hear names like George Carlin, Doug Stanhope and most lamentably of all, Bill Hicks. Chances are that means their routines will contain swearing. Swearing and abortion, probably some paedophilia as well for good measure. Now, the three mentioned comics all, or independently, covered those three topics. They shocked their audience, but had a point. Stanhope makes apparently inconceivable comments about defending child pornography, Hicks railed against anti-smoking laws and the government of the time, Carlin also tackled the administration and censorship laws, having made the leap from the "old style" of comedian to the fresh and "edgy" new era of comedy, as did Richard Pryor.

Because those comedians swore and made outrageous comments has seemingly given a carte blanche to a lot of comics. It's understandable with newer comedians who are more concerned about getting over the first few hurdles of laughter before the idea of "crafting" a routine comes into play. Open mics are of course known for such territory. Eventually, the crudeness has to be counter-balanced with wit. As does the comic who has a lot to say and strong opinions, has to get to the punchline before their routine becomes stuffy rhetoric. It's ironic that a lot of advocates of Hicks and Carlin have overlooked one of their most valuable talents; the ability to present a cogent argument under the guise of a comedy routine, and vice-versa.

However, lately such devices are not entirely necessary - the student gigs are the new working men's clubs, with simple swearwords themselves getting big laughs, and the only "points" being made are those which go into women's ladyparts (retrospectively told, of course). With such obscenity-driven comics self-describing and billed as being "dark" or "black humour comedians", you'd have to wonder if they are indeed "black", or actually just very very very...



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What with watching a lot of Shooting Stars and Tim & Eric related madness, myself, Ruaidhrí Ward and Lorcan McGrane are debuting a new Comedy Pub Quiz Show next month with the spirit of Voicebox behind. It's called...

Menagerie's BIG Sunday

"Comedians Ruaidhrí Ward, Marcus Keeley and Lorcan McGrane present a new Comedy Pub Quiz Show, featuring stand up comedy, video, characters, prizes and biscuits! Also expect local comedy guests to pop in and interrogate you through the medium of stand-up!

The most alternative pub quiz you will ever see with your weeping eyeballs!"

Check out the fan page here on Facebook and put yourself down for the launch gig on Sunday the 6th of February! See you then.