Some of the graduates from last nights gig

Last night was a fantastic graduation show. There were a few butterflies among the students but generally they were confident and on good form.

Zack Ward was the first act to take the stage. Zack is the youngest student who’s ever been on the course at 19, he was engaging and warm. His delivery was natural and he really hit home with the audience.

Peter Wood (aka Woody) went on next and delivered a mixture of one liners and retro jokes that had the audience chuckling away and the gig would not have been complete without the story of the X wife.

Nick Lazar delivered his set with confidence as he observed the differences between men and women, always a subject for laughs. And who would have thought that the Incredible Hulk and masturbating could be put in the same joke? Amazing!

After the break Jo Wonder ascended on the stage in a white veil suited to the dead character she plays. With her dead pan delivery and strong Brummie accent she he soon had the audience laughing along and participating in her act.

Our final act, Indalo, took to the stage and entertained the audience with his quirky perspectives on the world and its inhabitants, calling the devil Captain Beige at one point, (it has to be seen!)

I think what I love most about these nights is seeing students who I’ve been working for 8 weeks complete their mission and get on that stage. All of them were beaming when they come off. The diversity of the acts just makes it so much more enjoyable too. It’s the ‘Stick in On’ of Comedy. You never know what’s coming up next. Well done to all, you did me proud. You can see the performances soon on You tube Brighton Comedy Course.

On this week’s comedy course, week 6, the students had their one to one with me. I received their material in advance which gives me the opportunity to look at it in closer detail and to add suggestions and editorial input. I sometimes worry that I might be a bit too Simon Cowell but all students without exception understood and agreed with my comments (the baseball bat on the table helped, I think!)

We have just over two weeks before the class perform at their graduation gig in front of a live audience, that gives the students time to make the changes and tweak their material to its very best.

After the one on one’s and performance section we went on our away day to see local comedy in Brighton. A night at Verdict was a great idea. I recommend it as a venue. The standard of comedian was great and the students watched the very techniques we had just been discussing in action. A practical and very fun night out.

If you would like to come and watch the graduates take the stage for the first time. The gig is on the 12^th December at 8pm at Funky Fish, Marine Parade, Brighton.

This week’s class was a real treat. Most of the class had spent the week working hard on their material. There was a great array of potentially fabulous material.

We looked at different styles of comedy and got an understanding of the pros and cons of using each. We also looked at using improv in comedy.

We have Dan Flanagan, Zak Ward and Indalo Pahana talking about their experiences on the course so far.

Watch Dan’s video diary  http://youtu.be/eeAlvjPQ9T0

Watch Zak’s video diary   http://youtu.be/ssbtwzjzlOI

Watch Indalo’s video diary  http://youtu.be/dXu_r2EYWBk

 This year Brighton Comedy Course is working in conjunction with Madeira Hotel to bring a Christmas night you won’t forget with top comedians providing the entertainment while you enjoy your Christmas dinner. We have the fantastic Pierre Hollins and the very funny Dave Thompson among the acts. There is a DJ after playing disco, funk and soul.

For Christmas bookings contact Madeira Hotel on 01273 698 331.

Madeira Hotel has kindly agreed to give away a bottle of bubbly to one lucky winner. All you have to do is Retweet any of our Tweets mentioning our Christmas Cracker Comedy Nights, or Like us on facebook.com/brightoncomedycourse to be entered. The winner will be announced on Twitter, Facebook and www.brightoncomedycourse.com on the 1st of December. Good luck!

Last night Brighton Comedy Course welcomed its new recruits for the last course of the year. The course was full to capacity with a few last minute applicants. The objectives of the class were varied, one wanted to be a better teacher (to scary secondary kids), several of the class wanted to beat their fear of public speaking and there were those who want to go on to be stand up comedians. The team gelled well and a few laughs were had.

We looked at the role of a comedian, the ups and the downs. One student, who shall not be named, confided that his idea of the upside of the job would be the groupies. Clearly a man! We spent the rest of the class concentrating on material. The class quickly gathered that there is comedy in everything, so many subjects to choose from. I was so impressed that every single one of them, after just ten minutes of writing material, got up and performed in front of the class. I’m really looking forward to next week to see what comedy gems they come up with.

Roll on Graduation day where they’ll take the mike in front of a live audience. I can tell already that they have what it takes to do it, helped by the encouragement of the class mates and the hard work that they’re about to put in.

Well done all. The journey has just begun.

New comedy course-missing 2, joining next week

5. Luisa Omielan- Saw this girl last year at Caroline of Brunswick. She was hilarious, definitely on her way up.

4. Doc Brown-This guy is completely original, he mixes hip hop gangster style with a serious comedy twist. Very talented man.

3. Ed Byrne-this guy needs no introduction, he’s a very funny man and he’s not slow in having a bit of banter with the audience. Never saw a bad gig from him.

2. Lucy Porter- This lady has been going for some time now and has many successful shows every year at Edinburgh Fringe, I can’t imagine why she’s not more in our faces, she’s seriously funny!

1. Jason Byrne-This guy’s funny before he even says anything. Great facial expressions! His material is sharp and witty, (and he’s a bloody nice guy to boot.) Definitely worth a see.

Happy laughing.

This season’s comedy course students look like an interesting bunch. Among them we have a PR guru, a Social Media whizz and the youngest student we’ve had on the course at 19, ahhhh.

I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a mixed class, girls and boys which always lends a nice dynamic. I love the support between students and how they go on being mates long after the course is finished.

I will need to organise a date for their Graduation night where they perform in front of a live audience for the first time. Might not try to get a date out of them on the first week or I’ll have them running for the hills, it will be in the first or second week in December. They have 8 weeks to work hard and put together material that will give them a performance that they can be proud of. It always amazes me just how well the first gig’s go; a lovely supportive audience always helps but it mostly down to their hard work, determination and the most important thing- their comedy talent. If you want to book a comedy course-book here.