So this is 50. And this post is indulgent 😉
Here are some cracking new photos by the brilliant Fiona Finchett, taken at GRIT Art Studio. I spend so much time looking forward that I wanted to reflect on what and who got me to where I am now. I also wanted a new portrait, to tell the story and mark my half-century.
My twenties were all about trying to become a comic book artist. My thirties were all about becoming a stand-up comedian and my forties a rollercoaster of creative activity. The pandemic helped sort through my priorities and come full circle. Now I draw and perform, sometimes simultaneously.
Earlier this year I retired Danny Pensive, the comedy character I'd performed as for around 15 years. Gigging as Danny was one of the high points of my comedy career, but I do feel as though I now have a much better life-work balance.
I've been searching for a quote by comedian and TV producer Jimmy Mulville about "doing your best working your 50's". The general jist is who you by now who are and what you're good at and have the skills to make it happen. That's where I feel right now.
I've built up quite a body of work. The illustration is physical, I can see how I've developed over time. The comedy side is a little trickier to reflect on. I've plethora of photos and videos from when I started in the days before social media, but comedy is more ephemeral, an intangible thing that happens in a room. Oh the memories.
Joining GRIT art studio in late 2023 is perfectly timed. Joining a community of folks making great work. I even host an event for artists, in the same way I used to run comedy nights.
I'm excited for the new opportunities, and being in Manchester right now feels like a brilliant space for creative minds. Loads going on, and if I can be part of it, and make a mark on it, then that is time very well spent.
John,
November 2024
There's nothing in the UK that's really comparable the annual improv championship. It's not really a competition, more a convention of comedy shows and improv workshops where performers from all over the us - and UK - come together for one week to collaborate and learn new skills.
Improv is on the rise in the UK, but no where near as well established as it is in the US, with it's dedicating schools of improvisation, not just for performance skill, but also as a tool for learning. This annual event attracts some of the worlds best teachers of improvisation. During the week I took workshops in diverse topics such as character types, status, building emotional connections. There was also a brilliant workshop on how to teach improv, weighing up the feedback approach versus side-coaching that It really got into the nuts and bolt of how teachers teach.
A twenty four hour turnaround from landing the Manchester improv gang regrouped and headed to Edinburgh for our twelfth year at the fringe. I've taken up solo comedy shows in the past, and it a lot less stressful to be part of a team.
During my ten days there I was performing in four shows per day including the regular ComedySportz show, guest spots, comparing a couple of night of Salfunny, and a late night improvised true crime show.
Salfunny was a showcase for students studying the comedy degree at Salford University. One of their performers, Erika Ehler, went on to win the Chortle new comedian award.
There were more improvised shows there this year than ever before, and while and that's a good thing for recognition of improv, it's important to keep the quality standard high. With stand up comedy and improv, there is no barrier to entry, to learn the skill is a choice. There are some great places to learn improv best practice around the UK, and hopefully some day soon improv will be as well recognised as a teaching skill as it across the pond.
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