Upstanding Comedy

Upstanding Comedy tutors complete novices to get up on stage and be funny.

Article by Ariadne Cass-Maran | 20 Jan 2009

“Confidence Through Comedy” is a mission statement as much as it is a tag line. For the people who attend this course have for various reasons fought their own personal demons of shyness and now for the first time, the culmination of a ten week course, they're about to undergo their first gig.

They're understandably nervous; it is after all their maiden voyage. Siân Bevan, tutor and company founder, bounds up to the front of the room and tells us all that the gig will start in five minutes and to chat enthusiastically and musically. It's as exciting an atmosphere as you could ever hope to experience in a pub basement, especially one that smells as much like not for profit comedy as this one does – like fear and toilet duck.

The gig is supported by professional comedians, with Jeff O'Boyle opening the show with a sound, very funny ten minute spot and Niall Browne headlining with his distinctively Northern Irish set. Bevan comperes.

And all the stuff in between?  It's good. Even for people who have never done comedy in their life, the quality is high, which is a testament to the tutoring skills of Bevan and Rick Molland. Among some of the rambling passages of nonsense there are solid chunks of briliant rambling nonsense. How on earth did they manage to make this unassuming bunch of people pull off not just a first gig but a good one?

Bevan tells The Skinny that it's all about love and support, coupled with a very conscious lack of cynicism. “There are other comedy courses and nights which are pretty harsh - preparing people for the tough world of comedy by making things dark and mean. We prefer things to be supportive; increasing people's confidence and having a lovely, witty time, rather than put downs and knob gags."

With Upstanding Comedy's next course starting later his month, it's a whimsical but brilliantly effective route to improving confidence.

Upstanding Comedy's next course starts on 27 January 2009

Where? Leith Academy, 20 Academy Park (Off Easter Road), Edinburgh

When? Every Tuesday from 27th January to 24th March, 7-9pm

How much? Standard price is £46.50 for the whole course. Concessions for students (£26.00), senior citizens (£21.50) and some other concessions (£12.00).

What now? Phone Leith Academy on 0131 553 2810


http://www.upstandingcomedy.com