To try comedy

[comedygeniusx]

For a while now I've been writing observational comedy. I've never done anything with it. I'm thinking of trying it out at an open mic night. The thing is I'm a 40 year old woman. Am I mad?

Do it! And then report back (I’ve always had the same dream).

There's loads of advice about on how to do it.

Some tips I heard recently: Forget about TV standups and the big name tour comedians. You'll be doing a 5 minute open spot, which is a very different kettle of fish. Go watch a lot of those and try to learn what works and what doesn't in that situation.

And try to find the sort of club where your style does well.

There are good comedy forums about, like The British Comedy Guide. www.comedy.co.uk/
They're quite friendly over there.

Thanks @Mysterian that's great advice I'd not thought of the difference.

Your age and sex are irrelevant. Are you funny? Then go for it.

Brilliant, do it.

I fear it will all be male students and I'll stand out like a sore thumb! Comedy is very much a man's arena. Not that that's a reason not to do it but I wonder if my age and sex would go against me.

If you stand out like a sore thumb that'll be a good thing won't it? 15 young men in jeans and T-shirts and you. You'll have different material, you'll have life experience they don't (which for observational stuff is pretty handy), and there's more chance of you being remembered.

There's a lot more women doing it now anyway, so you'll probably not be on your own.

@Mysterian thank you 😊 I'm thinking some research and see how it feels 😬

@comedygeniusx
could you use that as some of your material ie your age/gender etc

“yes, I know what you’re all thinking: why is my mum here at the comedy club?” type thing..

Name the obvious; joke about things others might be thinking anyway.. I do think female comedians have it harder (as they somehow need to ‘prove’ themselves), so just think of all the insults some of the misogynist/ageist assholes might be thinking and say it first - to take the power away from them.. obviously also use your other amazing material, this is just something to have up your sleeve…

don’t know if that makes sense? That’s what I would do anyway

Would love to see an example of your material. You never know, we might be able to tighten it up for you!