Trying not to Die On Stage

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Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby V.E. Day » Oct 9th, '12, 10:09



Hello folks,
After a few months of not doing much I've somehow been talked into doing a spot of stand up comedy next week at the 'Up The Creek' Comedy Club in Greenwich on Tuesday 16th October 2012. Should be interesting as I've never performed Stand Up Comedy before, so hopefully its not too hard to master. Its not is it? Also there will be a number of funny comedians appearing on stage before and after me, so it should be an evening of top comedy.

Apparently doing stand up comedy for the first time its supposed to be a nerve wracking and scarey experience. But Victoria doesn't do scared so I think I'll just get on with it. But it might be an interesting experience going on stage without any magic at all to protect me.
So hopefully you can wish me luck, and you can come and watch if you want. The doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm and finishes at 10pm at Up The Creek Comedy Club, Creek Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9SW.

Hopefully its not too hard to master. Stand up comedy isn't hard is it?

Hopefully I won't die on stage as the following day, Wednesday 17th October 2012, I am performing comedy magic at the illustrious and historic Royal Vauxhall Tavern in Vauxhall, London in a show hosted by the hottest babe ever to come out of Rotherham, Myra Dubois. The show also includes a number of better acts than me so it should be a night of top entertainment.

It would be nice to see you there, but leave your weapons at home. I'll be the blonde.

xxx

Last edited by V.E. Day on Oct 9th, '12, 10:11, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby Mandrake » Oct 9th, '12, 10:11

Hope it all goes well!

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby A J Irving » Oct 9th, '12, 11:04

Two things:

Firstly, start speaking before the initial applause has finished, don't wait for the audience to go silent- even if you're just thanking them for clapping and welcoming you on to the stage. An awkward second on silence is the perfect opportunity for a heckler to shout out something and throw you off before you've even started. I've seen open mics where somewhere has shouted out 'tell us a joke' or 'get off, you're s***' or suchlike before a word has passed the comedians lips and they never fully recover from it.

Secondly, try to come up with a killer opening line so that they know that you're funny from the start. Make it short and sweet but something that sums up who you are as a performer- nothing that requires too much work on the part of the audience though as you could easily lose them there and then.

If you get your opening right, it'll give you a massive confidence boost that'll help propel you through your set and also demonstrate to the audience that you know what you're doing and they should go along with you rather than trying to fight you.




Best of luck and let us know how you got on.

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby Mandrake » Oct 9th, '12, 11:20

Excellent advice and it applies to magic acts as well!

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby A J Irving » Oct 9th, '12, 11:45

Mandrake wrote:Excellent advice and it applies to magic acts as well!


In the Popol Vuh, the Mayans prophesied that I'd make a helpful post sometime. Only another b'ak'tun or 394.3 solar years until the next one! :)

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby Aza » Oct 9th, '12, 11:54

My favourite opening line was me and my ex recently split up you see I'm a Leo and she was a (not very nice word!)

Still makes me laugh to this day!

Much love

Aza

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby Russell Davidson » Oct 9th, '12, 12:24

Stand up comedy not too hard?

Erm.....yes, yes it is. I would say probably the hardest form of entertainment there is. Like you say, there's nothing to hide behind. All the best comedians have died at one time or another though so don't worry.

If you're funny you'll be fine. Best of luck.

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby soveda » Oct 9th, '12, 13:23

Russell Davidson wrote:Stand up comedy not too hard?

Erm.....yes, yes it is. I would say probably the hardest form of entertainment there is. Like you say, there's nothing to hide behind. All the best comedians have died at one time or another though so don't worry.

If you're funny you'll be fine. Best of luck.

Listen to the latest "Robin and Josie's utter shambles with Rufus Hound for examples!

Edited for spelling

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby Lady of Mystery » Oct 9th, '12, 14:23

Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll do brilliantly! :D

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby V.E. Day » Oct 16th, '12, 00:15

Thanks for all your replies folks. It should be a few minutes of fun, I'm happy with the material I've written and looking forward to it.
Tuesday, 8pm, Up The Creek Comedy Club, Greenwich, London.

See you there :D

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby Tomo » Oct 16th, '12, 10:31

Keep broadcasting. Show no fear. Good luck!

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby MiKo » Oct 16th, '12, 10:54

Good luck from Finland as well!

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby seamagu » Oct 16th, '12, 11:43

Aza wrote:My favourite opening line was me and my ex recently split up you see I'm a Leo and she was a (not very nice word!)

Still makes me laugh to this day!

Much love

Aza


Legend, I think I'll have to use that one.

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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby Alec Burns » Oct 16th, '12, 13:13

I used to do stand up and this advice I'm about to give you is golden.

Don't stick to the script too rigidly. If as you go along you can get extra legs out of something then go with it. Ad lib as much as possible to keep your set from sounding like a script.

You don't need to cover every little bit of script you have. If the piece doesn't start well, change tact.

And last but not least. Who says you can't put a bit of magic in there!? :wink:

I may have been born yesterday but I stayed up all night.
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Re: Trying not to Die On Stage

Postby fiftytwo » Oct 16th, '12, 17:28

Good luck tonight!

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