» Energetic comedy?
Victoria Nangle contemplates the energy that goes into comedy and how much she has to give
The Fringe is over! Wasn’t it fun? And I surprised myself by taking part and getting a gig to perform in, as well as the 20 odd shows I went to see for myself. So nice to feel involved from all sides. An old doozie came up while the running order for the show I was in was being cemented. The compere turned to all us new act comics sitting in the holding pen, and asked us how much energy we had.
It’s alright, she wasn’t about to ask for 20 press-ups. In ordering a well placed line-up it’s important to know how much energy an act brings to the stage with their performance. Will they be swinging from the chandeliers in an homage to Lee Evans with their high energy, or deadpan to the world like Jack Dee. It’s a fair point, and one I’ve considered when organising line-ups myself. I’ve just never really thought about how much energy I had.
“I have been known to jump about the stage a little, but only a little. I also stand stock still at times and fix people with a look”
I have been known to jump about the stage a little, but only a little. I also stand stock still at times and fix people with a look. On top of that I simper, grin, determine and gesticulate quite wildly. In short, I’m up and down on the energy front, which doesn’t really help any compere as an answer.
Most of us are in between on the energy scale. Self-assessment is hard enough every six months in an office environment, never mind in the sweaty insecure arena of stand-up comedy. However, if you don’t know your energy level it’s unlikely you’ll have someone else handily nearby who’s seen your act to answer for you. It’s time to make a call. I said I had moderate energy.
Putting together a comedy show line-up is like making the ultimate mix tape. You’ve got to have peaks and troughs of tempo to give it the perfect balance. You don’t want two musical comedy acts one after the other. No to a clutch of characters acts. A gaggle of wide boy comics are not welcome all at once. A good mix up is crucial. Moderate energy will get me by. And I got just the same back from the audience. Which was nice.
Victoria’s next gig is at Walks Into a Bar, London Unity, 4 June, 8.30pm, free.
