When did you start doing stand-up comedy?
I started in October 2002. I was working as a freelance reporter for The Sun at the time. I was looking for a respite from the drudgery of door-knocks and stakeouts.
I had no long term aspirations for it. Everything that followed just happened.
My first ever gig was a ripper. It was at a new acts night at a club in Manchester. I thought “Oh, yes. I’ve got this nailed.” The next week I went back and absolutely died the most horrendous death!
How did you get into doing stand-up comedy for corporate events?
I had an agent who was based at a well-known comedy club in Manchester and they would get lots of calls from businesses looking for an established act who could deal with a corporate crowd.
Corporate crowds are very different to a comedy club crowd because a normal club crowd has a lot of people who don’t know each other. The dynamic of a corporate crowd is different because there are a lot of agendas in the room. Some people have certain things that they want from the night and the power relationships are generally already established. That said, the job of a good comic should be to make everyone forget those things for a short amount of time and then give them all something they can all talk about later on.
How do corporate events benefit from comedy-related acts?
If it’s done well it can become a real social leveller. For 30 minutes everyone can forget their agendas and all the power relationships in the room disintegrate with laughter. Plus, it’s a great shared experience which gives everyone something neutral to talk about – going up to someone and asking ‘what did you think of the comedian?’ is a really good ice breaker. In my mind a lot of event organisers make a mistake in putting the comedy on at the end.
What did your act include?
I’d sometimes use a guitar and play some songs. I used to have a great song about Howard from the Halifax adverts but when they stopped using him in the commercials I had to change my act. Generally it was flights of fancy and genial mickey-taking. I was never an ‘edgy’ comic, dealing with controversial issues. I was more comfortable talking about Asda and the joys of the M6 toll road.
Do you have any funny stories?
I have some funny stories – the worst one was an event with Bovis after they’d just finished rebuilding Manchester Arndale. Toughest gig I’ve ever done. The chap running it pointed to the biggest bloke I have ever seen and told me that at their last event he didn’t like the comedian and dragged him off the stage. Halfway through my set – which was getting nothing – I look at this massive guy and see him drawing a finger across his throat.
What big venues in the North have you performed at?
I performed at Beetham Tower, the Manchester Hilton, where I was on in-between JLS and Stavros Flatley! I once performed to 7,000 in St Peter’s Square, outside Manchester Town Hall, while doing the warm-up for the BBC’s Manchester Passion broadcast live at Easter. I have also played at the Manchester Arena for SMG Europe.
What kind of corporate events did you perform at?
I performed at company dinners, award ceremonies, charity events and fundraisers. One corporate client hired John Bishop one year, the year after they hired Jason Manford and the year after they hired me. I’m not sure what that means – presumably they’d had their budget cut.
What other comedy-related acts are popular at corporate events?
I’m not sure. There was a beatboxer who I remember used to get a lot of work and I think some funny magicians.
Do you continue to do stand-up in your spare time?
I think I’ll always do a bit of stand-up. I love it. I’m at the level now where I only have to play places I really like – The Comedy Store and the Glee Clubs are my favourite. I don’t do corporates any more. These days I find myself more and more in the audience watching.
You’re Having a Laugh!
Keep delegates smiling with these comedic corporate solutions
COMEDY CARTOONS
Cheshire-based John Roberts creates caricatures using pen and paper or doing it digitally with a tablet. He can draw delegates around dining tables or attract corporate clients to an exhibition stand, and delegates can take home a personal memento of the occasion. Caricatures are produced in 10 minutes and company logos can be printed at the bottom of each drawing. The act is performed for up to three hours and previous clients include Centrica and BT. Visit Contrabandevents.com or call 0845 600 3986.
LIVING IN A BOX
The Man In A Box can meet and greet guests or perform in a gathering place or stage within your corporate event. The box leaps into life, grows legs and runs around, carefully guided by a companion. The show lasts between 30-45 minutes depending on your needs. Corporate logos can be added and bespoke panels are available in three sizes. Past clients include Alton Towers and Manchester International Arts. Visit Contrabandevents.com or call 0845 600 3986.
INFLATING TEAMSPIRIT
Delegates can channel their inner clown as part of this team building activity with Loony Balloons. Groups of delegates are given a demonstration by a professional balloon modeller and then challenged to complete various projects using modelling balloons. Projects include Team Sculpture, where balloon sculptures must somehow represent the team and Balloon Landmarks where teams make famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the London Eye. This activity caters for five-500 delegates and past clients include Novartis and RS Components. Visit Madprofessorltd.co.uk or call 01462 790008.
SIDE-SPLITTING SURROUNDINGS
The Comedy Store in Manchester offers a humorous background to any corporate event. A private bar, suitable for small groups up to 65, has a large plasma screen for presentations during the day and in the evening delegates can be entertained with catering and a show.
The Helter Bar that caters for groups up to 100 is set up with AV and has flexible seating options. The main bar area, suitable for drinks receptions with capacity for 400, has AV with three screens and can host live bands. The theatre, with 500 seats, can be curtained off for smaller groups and is equipped with a large screen. Past clients include Deloitte and Starbucks. Visit Thecomedystore.co.uk or call 0161 839 9595.
CLOWNING AROUND
This interactive peep board, featuring a pair of clowns, adds humour to any corporate backdrop. The board offers a great photo opportunity set to get delegates chuckling. The peep boards are hand-painted and come in an easy to assemble format with a base that makes the prop sturdy. For larger jobs, an installation service is offered. Event Prop Hire provides a variety of comedy-related props providing services to shows, parties and corporate events. Past clients include Microsoft and BP. Visit Eventprophire.com or call 0845 0940 816.