I Love Yorkshire

"I love Yorkshire" - three words I never thought I would put in the same sentence.

Having been brought up on the other side of the Pennines, I've always felt compelled to dislike Yorkshire almost as a matter of principle.

But this week has changed my opinion. What splendid people the folk of Leeds and Sheffield really are! And what excellent taste in comedy!

On Sunday I did the Discount Comedy Checkout in Leeds and got a lovely reception, despite my slightly tired and below par performance. Then last night I played at Abbcom in Sheffield to a brilliant crowd.

There's a lot more I want to say about these gigs but, to be honest, I'm absolutely knackered from trying to become a comedy legend whilst at the same time doing a full-time job and being a dad/taxi-driver. So balls to it - this is your lot for today. 

However, I have done a little audio thing about getting lost in Leeds city centre on my way to the gig. And there's a recording of the Sheffield gig. So when I have time I'll edit them and post them.

In the meantime, thanks to everyone who continues to read this nonsense and all those who are generally supportive. In particular, thanks to those people who have come along to gigs recently - including Tim, Dawn, Rob, Jason, Sona, Narapa and Louisa'a brother and sister.

Lots of love

Sam x

Sam Brady Stand-up Comedian

What do you call a Buddhist in a suit?

On Monday I did a gig in a suit.

This might not seem particularly significant. But hang on- I'll explain.

I had a bit of a crazy day. 

I had to zip off down to London early in the morning as part of my day job. I spent a morning and an afternoon down there in a conference centre, facilitating a workshop. Then, I dashed off straight from there and jumped on a train to Manchester, getting there just in time to do my gig.

The upshot of all this was that a) I was in a slightly crazed and manic mood and b) I was still wearing a suit.

And, oddly, it felt good. I felt kind of...well...professional.

People like Bob Hope, Steve Martin (and...erm...Jimmy Tarbuck) reckon that wearing a suit on stage is a must. I've always thought that was old fashioned. I associate suits with meetings and offices and being bored out of my skull. But now I'm wondering if they are right. I think I actually felt more confident. How weird is that?

Ironically, I've spent quite a bit of time wondering about my image and what to wear on stage. Lately, I've taken to wearing a fancy black shirt and some red Buddhist Mala beads. Hmmm.

Anyway I've just been sent these photos of me having fun in a suit. And I likes it. So I thought I'd share it. 

What do you reckon?

By the way, the photo on the right is the clap-off that I didn't win.

love

Sam x

Sam Brady Stand-up Comedian

Beating the Frog

A strange thing happened at the Beat the Frog gong show last night. I did my best performace to date, my material was tight, I beat the gong and had the best part of 200 people laughing and cheering. And yet I went home slightly disappointed.

That's the problem with gong shows. If you do a great job and beat the gong, but you lose the final clap-off at the end of the evening, it's easy to leave with a sense of rejection, and forget about all the positives of the performance.

I was on first and I really enjoyed myself. The audience seemed to love it. It's rare for an opening act to win because the audience have forgetten you by the time the final clap-off comes around. Even so, I really thought I was in with a chance of winning. But as the evening went on, it became clear that the standard was very high - the highest that I have ever seen at a gong show.

Beat the Frog is probably the best comedy gong show around. The Frog and Bucket Comedy Club is purpose-built for comedy and is played by many of the top names. Monday nights see audiences of 200 - 300 people gathered to watch comedy legends born (and to watch deluded losers die horribly).

In the final clap-off I got a good loud cheer from the audience but I knew it wouldn't be good enough to win. I cursed the fact that I had drawn the opening spot - again! But if I'm honest with myself I have to admit that there were at least two acts that were better than me on the night, so I can't complain.

On the way home I felt a bit deflated. Then it occurred to me that just a few months ago I was pleased just to last 3 minutes before getting gonged off. It made me realise how far I've come in a very short time. And how much I can improve if I keep at it.

Next week I am playing Leeds and Sheffield. My next challenge - Yorkshire!

Bring it on.

Sam Brady Stand-up Comedian

New Material at the Comedy Balloon

Last night I played at the Comedy Balloon - a new act/new material night at the Ape and Apple pub in John Dalton Street.

Not the biggest crowd I've ever played to, but enjoyable nonetheless. All the more fun for having my Buddhist friends Sona and Narapa there to support me.

Oh yes. And the Ape and Apple does some very good beer.

Here's a little podcast of the evening...

Are you Polish?

Apparently, 25% of the visit to this site come from Poland.

How can this be? What are the people of Poland looking for when they find this site? Could it be that a Polish person, returning to the homeland post-credit crunch has spread the word about a brilliant new comic on the edge of stardom? Could it be that I am famous in Warsaw?

This time next year I could be the toast of Eastern Europe.

But there is bound to be a less exciting explanation.

If you are from Poland and you are reading this, please could you put me out of my misery and explain how you came to be on this page.

Dzieki

Sam x

Audio Clip (contains some saucy language)

 

At my gig last week I christened my new digital voice recorder.

This was a christmas present from my wife and it's really useful for analysing a performance and trying to improve it.

It also means I can share a few little clips of the act with you. I could have shared the whole set with you but then I thought: No, let them come and see me live instead!

Hope you like it.

love

Sam x

Sam Brady Stand-up Comedian

Great Night at The Iguana

It felt fantastic to return to Chorlton for my first gig of 2009 on Monday night.

I lived for 3 life-changing years in a Buddhist community in Chorlton and have a lot of great memories of the place.

It was a quiet night in the Iguana Bar. The first Monday after Christmas was never going to be a wild night - the place was barely half-full and everybody looked a bit partied out. But nonetheless there was a really nice atmosphere.

I was quite nervous during the day and my mind kept going over my act - I couldn't make up my mind what gags to do and what to leave out. Ironically, after loads of agonizing, I ended up improvising quite a bit and I think my best moments where when I had a bit of banter with the crowd.

The minute I got on stage I felt totally bouyant. I loved it. It wasn't the perfect performance by any means and not all the material worked. But I learned a lot and took another small step towards being a polished act.

A few friends turned up to see me perform for the first time which was a bonus. It was lovely to sit down with them for a drink and a chat after my act and to watch the headliner together. Big thanks to Vibhatika, Dan, Mary and Anne-Marie for their warm support.

Excited about 2009!

I'm really excited about 2009.

I'm scared too. Actually there is a fine line between the feeling of excited anticipation and the feeling of totally crapping yourself, isn't there?

Last year was all about seeing if I had the bottle to get on stage and try and make people laugh. To my (and almost everybody else's) amazement, not only did I have the guts - I actually enjoyed it! In fact I bloody loved it.

What could be better than roars of laughter rolling over you like waves on a sun-kissed beach or than walking off-stage to the sound of cheering strangers?

And what could be more of a gut-strangling horror, than hearing the sound of your best gags clanking leaden on the ground as a baffled audience stare back in silence?

And what could be more stimulating than a slanging match with a hundred hecklers on your Comedy Store debut?

Not much, I reckon.

I have absolutely loved my stand-up adventure so far. But 2008 was only the prologue. 2009 is Chapter 1. 50 gigs. 50 chances to soar with the eagles or die on my sorry arse. 

Here I come! Armed with nothing but a microphone, a gob, and my own fevered imagination. Bring it on!