Time to Take a Stand – UP!
September 6, 2016
Written by Sarah Charsley.
Whoever said laughter is the best medicine wasn’t far wrong – although they obviously hadn’t tried Valium.
The physical, psychological and social effects of humour and laughter are as bountiful as Donald Trump’s frontal hair shelf. Studies show that humour and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. In fact a good old belly laugh can leave your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes.
Making people laugh is therefore giving them a unique gift. And the amazing thing about laughter is that it’s free – unless of course you’re lucky enough to be at one of Brighton & Hove’s many brilliant comedy nights, in which case it can cost you anything from £3 – £30, depending on the experience of the comedians.
If you’ve longed to have your entourage in stitches, but can only ever seem to muster a joke from last year’s Christmas cracker, then help is at the end of your funny bone.
Brighton Comedy Course next course starts on Tuesday, January 31st 2017. The course is run by Louise Stevenson is a Scottish stand-up who started her comedy career in 1999 on the New Zealand circuit. Brighton Comedy Course is for anyone who wants to:
- Improve Confidence
- Enhance public speaking ability
- Increase presentation skills
- Write and edit comedy
And who knows, you could go on to be the next stand-up sensation like several previous graduates, including the hilarious Phil Jerrod. The world is your Apollo!
I met up with Louise after Brighton Comedy Course’s most recent graduate gig at The Verdict in Kemp Town to ask her a few questions about life in the laughter lane:
1. What made you get into comedy?
Honestly, I love making people laugh and thought I could. I had just moved to Wellington, NZ and I shared my aspirations with the first woman comic I saw performing and she just happened to have space on her comedy course which started the next day, fate maybe.
2. What are the highs and lows of being a stand-up comedian?
Highs are coming off a stage to a big audience who’ve really enjoyed you. Lows are the travelling from town to town staying in places on your own (there’s a lot of cinema!), And the combination of a high and low is where a woman comes up and says “ My boyfriend totally laughed his arse off and he never thinks women are funny!”
3. Who is your favourite comedian and why?
Kevin Bridges, because he’s hilarious and talks about a lot of things that I can relate to coming from Glasgow.
5. How has being a comedian changed you?
Now there’s a question, well it’s given me much more confidence over the years, it also gives you the balls to share something you thinks funny without worrying what the response will be. Who cares-you won’t know its funny till you put it out there.
6. What are 3 main things you hope people will get from your course?
Confidence, the ability to perform a tight set, and a love of comedy.
7. TEll us a joke!
Southern Rail-need I expand?
Give yourself and others the gift of laughter today by booking a place on the Brighton Comedy Course. Gift Vouchers available.
