Last night I was honoured to be compering a fundrasing auction for Naomi House Children's Hospice; a much loved local hospice, which relies very heavily on voluntary contributions.
I was compering this event with Matthew Baylis, another comedian who had kindly come along to support me, and having checked out the sound system (always sensible when performing) all seemed fine. We did however request an extra microphone which the hotel provided.
The guests filed in; the atmosphere was happy, there was a huge buzz in the room. And then it all changed. It all changed when I picked up the microphone.
As a comedian who has gigged in some very strange places, a change of atmosphere isn't a brand new experience for me, however this one was out of my control, in that my microphone had strongly objected to Matthew's.
The result was chaos, with feedback squeals emanating from every corner, and guests grimacing and stuffing their fingers in their ears, and whilst I might expect my husband to react to me, on occasion, in this way (usually at the mention of a trip to Sainsburys) I don't usually get that reaction from my audience.
We immediately ditched Matthews's microphone (which was, by now, nothing more than an ornament) and shared mine. My microphone, perhaps struggling under the weight of this extra responsibility, subsequently decided it had done quite enough work for one evening, and stopped working.
The answer (apparently) was simple. The microphone simply needed re-charging. This however proved a step too far for the venue. A couple of staff members made half hearted attempts to help, but we did notice the person responsible disappearing faster than the proverbial horse in a glue factory.
At one point, it appeared that all was lost. We were actually asked to stand in the middle of the room and call out all the auction items to the assembled throng. A surreal suggestion; this being a very, very long room with 120 guests, who had paid for, and were expecting, a professional and slick evening.
Eventually the problem was solved by one of the paying guests, who doubtless did not expect to double up as a sound engineer for the night. But speaking on behalf of Matthew and myself, we were very grateful that he did.
We can't speak on behalf of the venue of course. Let's just say it's a good thing I don't suffer from abandonment syndrome, or last night I might have sat on the floor and cried.
Fortunately, we were still able to raise much needed funds for Naomi House. But not as many as we probably would have done.
So the moral of the story? If you're booking a venue with a sound system, always ask for a back up microphone, and if it's a radio mic check that it is either fully charged or has spare batteries.
And if the venue can't promise you either of these....then don't say you haven't been warned...
28 December 2010
Why does Judy from Clapham still send me a Christmas Card?
What's your view of Christmas cards? A contributor to the downfall of forests? A canny way for the Post Office to get more money out of us? Or essential for imparting Christmas goodwill wishes?
There are of course the unbelievably flimsy ones; guaranteed to collapse in a nonchalant heap the minute someone opens a door. Believe me, the message conveyed by a card that's the quality of a sheet of Tesco's Finest Loo Paper says far more than the heart felt "Best wishes from Tim and Jane" that's invariably scrawled inside.
I'm still receiving a card from Judy of Clapham; the daughter of a family my parents met at a holiday camp in the seventies. They've obviously been interrogating my parents for my address, because I wouldn't know them if one of them landed on my head displaying a neon sign with their name on.
But I do know that the extremely spotty (and gobby) Judy ended up marrying Derek and they now have two spotty and most likely gobby heberts of their own. They also have a cat called Harrington. I'm never likely to meet them (or Harrington)and they've never received a card from me, so why do they do it?
My parents were obsessed with Christmas cards. Each year, out would come their handwritten list and each new arrival would be ticked off carefully and placed on the mantelpiece. Then, on Christmas Eve, they would spend a good couple of hours expressing their disgust over why Tony from Liverpool hadn't sent them a card; how they never liked him anyway and how he's never ever getting another Christmas card from them.
Give me strength.
Anyway,if you know me, don't worry if you didn't send me a card. I'm truly not bothered; friendship has far better ways of proving itself.
And if I didn't send YOU a card, it doesn't mean I don't like you. I just find the whole thing a bit daft.
Bah Humbug.
There are of course the unbelievably flimsy ones; guaranteed to collapse in a nonchalant heap the minute someone opens a door. Believe me, the message conveyed by a card that's the quality of a sheet of Tesco's Finest Loo Paper says far more than the heart felt "Best wishes from Tim and Jane" that's invariably scrawled inside.
I'm still receiving a card from Judy of Clapham; the daughter of a family my parents met at a holiday camp in the seventies. They've obviously been interrogating my parents for my address, because I wouldn't know them if one of them landed on my head displaying a neon sign with their name on.
But I do know that the extremely spotty (and gobby) Judy ended up marrying Derek and they now have two spotty and most likely gobby heberts of their own. They also have a cat called Harrington. I'm never likely to meet them (or Harrington)and they've never received a card from me, so why do they do it?
My parents were obsessed with Christmas cards. Each year, out would come their handwritten list and each new arrival would be ticked off carefully and placed on the mantelpiece. Then, on Christmas Eve, they would spend a good couple of hours expressing their disgust over why Tony from Liverpool hadn't sent them a card; how they never liked him anyway and how he's never ever getting another Christmas card from them.
Give me strength.
Anyway,if you know me, don't worry if you didn't send me a card. I'm truly not bothered; friendship has far better ways of proving itself.
And if I didn't send YOU a card, it doesn't mean I don't like you. I just find the whole thing a bit daft.
Bah Humbug.
19 December 2010
Comedy competitions
Last night I watched the final of the FHM stand up comp, and I'm still at a loss to understand why the lovely Nathan Caton didn't win.
Out of all the contestants, it was obvious that the audience loved him the most, but then he's a particularly endearing performer with a real likeability factor. He also has very original material.
It was lovely to see three Laughter-House comedians (the two others were Liam Mullone and Andrew Watts) being showcased on the final, and I'm proud to say that our line ups for next year are continuing to get better and better.
But comedy is very subjective. One person's Couldn't Stop Laughing is often someone else's What's all he Fuss About. Personally I didn't think the person who won the FHM stand up comp was the best.
But then we can't all like the same things. Or else we'd all be in a real pickle.
Wouldn't we?
I'm off to write my Christmas Cards. A job I hate. Expect some moaning about that soon.
JJ
Out of all the contestants, it was obvious that the audience loved him the most, but then he's a particularly endearing performer with a real likeability factor. He also has very original material.
It was lovely to see three Laughter-House comedians (the two others were Liam Mullone and Andrew Watts) being showcased on the final, and I'm proud to say that our line ups for next year are continuing to get better and better.
But comedy is very subjective. One person's Couldn't Stop Laughing is often someone else's What's all he Fuss About. Personally I didn't think the person who won the FHM stand up comp was the best.
But then we can't all like the same things. Or else we'd all be in a real pickle.
Wouldn't we?
I'm off to write my Christmas Cards. A job I hate. Expect some moaning about that soon.
JJ
4 December 2010
Feed The Children
Last night I performed at a charity gig. They're not the best platform for comedy, especially when everyone has turned up for a disco.
Still, I like to think I did my bit for Feed the Children by restraining myself at the buffet and letting the stroppy 8 year old in the red jumper push his way in front of me.
And I'm still puzzling over the stats. Apparently 20% or so of kids don't eat breakfast before they leave home on the morning. So how come all these obese kids are running around? Oh, hold on. They're not.
It's a great cause and last night a lot of money was raised so it was Well Worth It.
On 3 February 2011 Laughter-House Comedy
will be playing host to many new out-of-town guests who have already purchased their tickets. Our headline act is the wonderful Simon Evans
Over one third of our tickets have already sold online - I have just added another ten but after they have gone, online tickets sales will be temporarily suspended for this event because I don't want our regulars to lose out.
However, please do buy your tickets before Christmas; available from myself (for Loyalty Members) or direct from the Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke. It looks like we could easily sell out completely two months before the February event.
A big thank you to our much loved compere Danny Dawes. Danny is hugely popular with our customers and really adds to the Laughter-House ambience.
And final thanks go to our sound and light man - my husband Alastair - and our audience supporters and 'brand soldiers': you very special people know who you are.
Jan xxx
Still, I like to think I did my bit for Feed the Children by restraining myself at the buffet and letting the stroppy 8 year old in the red jumper push his way in front of me.
And I'm still puzzling over the stats. Apparently 20% or so of kids don't eat breakfast before they leave home on the morning. So how come all these obese kids are running around? Oh, hold on. They're not.
It's a great cause and last night a lot of money was raised so it was Well Worth It.
On 3 February 2011 Laughter-House Comedy
will be playing host to many new out-of-town guests who have already purchased their tickets. Our headline act is the wonderful Simon Evans
Over one third of our tickets have already sold online - I have just added another ten but after they have gone, online tickets sales will be temporarily suspended for this event because I don't want our regulars to lose out.
However, please do buy your tickets before Christmas; available from myself (for Loyalty Members) or direct from the Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke. It looks like we could easily sell out completely two months before the February event.
A big thank you to our much loved compere Danny Dawes. Danny is hugely popular with our customers and really adds to the Laughter-House ambience.
And final thanks go to our sound and light man - my husband Alastair - and our audience supporters and 'brand soldiers': you very special people know who you are.
Jan xxx
3 December 2010
Ho Ho Ho
Well, it's the day after Laughter-House and I'm emerging blinking into the daylight.
We've been running our comedy club for three years and despite the snow, we had a full room last night, so I think a massive group hug is in order for that achievement.
Interesting audience interaction last night from a new visitor to Laughter-House...leading me to realise that one person's concept of enjoying a live comedy night isn't necessarily everyone elses.
Throughout most of the opening act, he delivered an uninvited loud running commentary almost as annoying as it was pointless. The atmosphere changed and there was increasing tension in the room as audience members became irritated with his interactions, some telling him what they thought.
When our compere Danny Dawes invited him to cease, he was puzzled. "But that's all part of it, isn't it?"
Er...no, not exactly. The odd amusing heckle adds to live comedy. Friendly spontaneous audience interaction is a large part of the Laughter-House fun, but he was impervious to the fact that he was potentially spoiling a great night out for the rest of the audience.
Sadly, I think it spoiled his evening too, to be invited not to shout out after every line. But when he was persuaded to stop it made everyone's elses a whole lot better. Unfortuntely, our opening comedian's Laughter-House experience had been effectively disrupted.
This episode demonstrated to us that December is often a strange month for comedy; it invariably seems to attract someone, who, on the night, remains completely and blissfully unaware of the delicate path that live comedy treads.
We never want to be heavy handed with any guest, but if it's not sorted we end up feeling anxious for the rest of the audience, and the comedian affected.
Time to reflect, and to be grateful about the rarity of such behaviour at Laughter-House, and a fervent hope the person concerned will conclude that live comedy is not for them in future, at least not one of our events.
A little harsh? The heckling wasn't ill-natured, so perhaps it is. But there you are. We didn’t all make huge efforts to travel through the snow for that...
So, on to the next show Thursday 3 February with the wonderful Simon Evans...
Book tickets through www.laughter-house.co.uk
And many many thanks for supporting our comedy club. We look forward to sharing a fantastic 2011 with you all.
Jan
We've been running our comedy club for three years and despite the snow, we had a full room last night, so I think a massive group hug is in order for that achievement.
Interesting audience interaction last night from a new visitor to Laughter-House...leading me to realise that one person's concept of enjoying a live comedy night isn't necessarily everyone elses.
Throughout most of the opening act, he delivered an uninvited loud running commentary almost as annoying as it was pointless. The atmosphere changed and there was increasing tension in the room as audience members became irritated with his interactions, some telling him what they thought.
When our compere Danny Dawes invited him to cease, he was puzzled. "But that's all part of it, isn't it?"
Er...no, not exactly. The odd amusing heckle adds to live comedy. Friendly spontaneous audience interaction is a large part of the Laughter-House fun, but he was impervious to the fact that he was potentially spoiling a great night out for the rest of the audience.
Sadly, I think it spoiled his evening too, to be invited not to shout out after every line. But when he was persuaded to stop it made everyone's elses a whole lot better. Unfortuntely, our opening comedian's Laughter-House experience had been effectively disrupted.
This episode demonstrated to us that December is often a strange month for comedy; it invariably seems to attract someone, who, on the night, remains completely and blissfully unaware of the delicate path that live comedy treads.
We never want to be heavy handed with any guest, but if it's not sorted we end up feeling anxious for the rest of the audience, and the comedian affected.
Time to reflect, and to be grateful about the rarity of such behaviour at Laughter-House, and a fervent hope the person concerned will conclude that live comedy is not for them in future, at least not one of our events.
A little harsh? The heckling wasn't ill-natured, so perhaps it is. But there you are. We didn’t all make huge efforts to travel through the snow for that...
So, on to the next show Thursday 3 February with the wonderful Simon Evans...
Book tickets through www.laughter-house.co.uk
And many many thanks for supporting our comedy club. We look forward to sharing a fantastic 2011 with you all.
Jan
2 December 2010
The snow must go on
The snow must go on!
Winter snow seems to be a regular winter feature in the south these days - yet in three years Laughter-House has not lost a show.
So we sent our Christmas Elves out this morning to check on the M3 motorway traffic, the buses and taxis...and realised that by cancelling we would disappoint many people planning to come along.
So... unless conditions change dramatically for the worse this afternoon, we definitely have a loyal audience, we have comedians who want to entertain you, and the lovely Red Lion staff who are looking forward to welcoming you as usual. So come on in out of the cold for a Laughter-House warm welcome and an evening of laughter.
A number of regulars have already got in touch to say they are coming. Some people are even leaving cars at home to walk in. Dunkirk spirit! And we love it. And as a big thank you, tonight we will be doing a free draw for a bottle of bubbly - tonight we are going to make the Red Lion rock!
As a sensible precaution, we will make one final announcement on our website www.laughter-house.co.uk after 3pm to take into account any possibility of worsening conditions.
Still blown away by the Dunkirk spirit..thank you Laughter-House followers, you are stars!!!
Jan
Winter snow seems to be a regular winter feature in the south these days - yet in three years Laughter-House has not lost a show.
So we sent our Christmas Elves out this morning to check on the M3 motorway traffic, the buses and taxis...and realised that by cancelling we would disappoint many people planning to come along.
So... unless conditions change dramatically for the worse this afternoon, we definitely have a loyal audience, we have comedians who want to entertain you, and the lovely Red Lion staff who are looking forward to welcoming you as usual. So come on in out of the cold for a Laughter-House warm welcome and an evening of laughter.
A number of regulars have already got in touch to say they are coming. Some people are even leaving cars at home to walk in. Dunkirk spirit! And we love it. And as a big thank you, tonight we will be doing a free draw for a bottle of bubbly - tonight we are going to make the Red Lion rock!
As a sensible precaution, we will make one final announcement on our website www.laughter-house.co.uk after 3pm to take into account any possibility of worsening conditions.
Still blown away by the Dunkirk spirit..thank you Laughter-House followers, you are stars!!!
Jan
20 September 2010
The things we have to do
Oh, the glamour of setting up a Laughter-House comedy night.
I'm sure most Women of a Certain Age don't usually spend their evenings on their hands and knees with their bottoms in the air.
Or maybe they do. But if they do, are they likely to be clutching a thick black cable in one hand and wrestling with something rubbery in the other? Well maybe that's another yes.
That's the worse part of a Laughter-House Comedy Night. The best part is of course, an evening full of people laughing their socks off.
September's show included the interactive Paul Redwood who proved very popular, with lots of reminiscing about the old days, and involving everyone in his daughter's unique version of stone, scissors, paper. A classic.
Next up, Mark Simmonds,wonderful one liners and a really comfortable presence...a real find...
And then of course Mike Gunn, who kept the audience laughing for 40 minutes and seemed to thoroughly enjoy our little club. His list of the differences between men and women will be etched in more than a few memories for a while. As someone commented, "What an absolute professional..such smooth delivery".
Look out for him on Michael MacIntyres Comedy Roadshow......
So now to get ready for the next show..posters to prepare and a newsletter to write.....and all the anticipation of my next encounter with a piece of pliant rubber...
I'm sure most Women of a Certain Age don't usually spend their evenings on their hands and knees with their bottoms in the air.
Or maybe they do. But if they do, are they likely to be clutching a thick black cable in one hand and wrestling with something rubbery in the other? Well maybe that's another yes.
That's the worse part of a Laughter-House Comedy Night. The best part is of course, an evening full of people laughing their socks off.
September's show included the interactive Paul Redwood who proved very popular, with lots of reminiscing about the old days, and involving everyone in his daughter's unique version of stone, scissors, paper. A classic.
Next up, Mark Simmonds,wonderful one liners and a really comfortable presence...a real find...
And then of course Mike Gunn, who kept the audience laughing for 40 minutes and seemed to thoroughly enjoy our little club. His list of the differences between men and women will be etched in more than a few memories for a while. As someone commented, "What an absolute professional..such smooth delivery".
Look out for him on Michael MacIntyres Comedy Roadshow......
So now to get ready for the next show..posters to prepare and a newsletter to write.....and all the anticipation of my next encounter with a piece of pliant rubber...
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