New Act of the Month: Stephen Callaghan

We check in with Stephen Callaghan, co-host of alternative comedy night The Stockholm Syndrome.

Feature by Lizzie Cass-Maran | 01 Feb 2011

Age: 27 

Based in: Glasgow

First gig: June 2008 

Number of gigs: Around 80

How did you get into comedy? I first started writing sketches with a friend of mine, and we got into the final of the Comedy Unit sketch writing competition. But we were disqualified because we our sketch involved using Hungry Hippos as puppets and Hasbro wouldn't let us use their product. Then me and my friend [Cameron Stark] made a drunken pact at The Stand one night that we'd both give it a go.

What are your aims onstage? With my solo stand-up, I try and be quite observational but The Stockholm Syndrome is fully geared towards being as experimental and as alternative as we can be; we like to do things on stage that we've never seen, and hopefully people have never seen before. It's about a conscious effort to try and do something different.

Who are your heroes on the Scottish comedy scene? The people that I work with – Davey See – I have to say that, he's my comedy wife. Also people who are doing stuff that's a bit different. I also have a lot of time for the behind the scenes people – like all the staff at The Stand, and the Glasgow Comedy Festival – people who have a passion for doing what they do without the need to stand on stage and be clapped and cheered for it. 

See Stephen in gigs around the country this month as he gears up for his first solo show, Stephen Callaghan's Memory Box, 3 April – part of the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

The Stockholm Syndrome also previews this month ahead of its run at Capitol every Saturday night at 10pm during MGICF.