"You Need To Get Up More!"

"You Need To Get Up More!"

While most people take throw away sentences like the above at face value, I often see things in a deeper way. Or at least I embellish these things with a deeper meaning that they might not have already had.

It's a part of writing I guess, and also the human need to see meaning where in reality there is just complete surface level randomness.

Getting Up

The reference to "getting up" was not a euphamism for having an erection nor anything sexual unfortunately, but I would certainly wish it was the case, given that the sentence was said by a woman.

It's a reference to getting up on stage and performing comedy.

On Saturday 10th of December, I "got up" on stage (even though the stage was at floor level) of the downstairs pub Legend's Bar.

Legend's Bar stage

Two weeks previous, I was offered a spot but I backed out, despite several protests. I had been working physically difficult and mentally draining jobs, often leaving no time to practice the jokes I have, let alone work on new stuff. I just didn't feel comfortable.

I felt immediate regret, but I was aware that I shouldn't beat myself up and that I should ensure that I get up on stage next time.

When the next time came and I was offersd a spot, I accepted. Initially, I was going to be on after the break, but I got bumped to the second spot.

This didn't leave a whole lot of rehearsal time, but I had gotten there early to do just that.

I went to the men's room to distance myself from the loud crowd of people there, and I prayed they would leave before we got started. Thankfully they did.

I began to rehearse my well worn set.

while I was trying to rehearse in the pub's men's room, which is always far from ideal, a joke came to me that I thought might work.

Embracing my comedy gremlin

I tested it out on stage and everyone agreed that it was the funniest joke of my material.

This time on stage I was far more confident, to the point where I had lost track of time and went over the 5 minute limit. I found this out the hard way as music started blaring out of the speakers and I then had to make my apologies.

I also recently completed the video section of the BBC Maestro Billy Conolly Comedy Course and now just have to work through the work book.

After the gig, Wendy Talbot the host, organiser and booker of the show said "You need to get up more!" and I most certainly will.

My next step is to take a deep dive into what is holding me back from getting up stage. There's plenty of time to embrace my comedy gremlin.

Thank you for reading.

Shaidon

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