Shitsu-Tonka,
I am normally as miserable and insular as a hungover Rikkor with a nail in his shoe.
I'm so small minded and little englanderish, that I don't like the word cynicism, as it sounds a bit foreign.
But.... I did one of these comedy courses. (Go on insert your own joke) And it taught me one thing.
I can't actually remember what it taught me, as I did the course while at the Edinburgh festival, and I spent the days doing the 'workshops' by day (which were actually a bit of a laugh, despite the word workshop, and I was rubbish at woodwork at school) and got trollied at night, watching the proper comedians
The bloke who ran the course was called Logan Murray, and he was a great. Well respected on the comedy circuit, I subsequently learned.
Good teacher too, which is weird, as comics are normally introverted and insular and as right wing and horrible as your worst nightmare. (Until they get on stage, then it's all Cor, what about that Cameron eh? Posh bastard. Any Americans in tonight?) Comics are shit bags. They all want to do corporate gigs, appear on banking commercials and sit on panel shows kicking the crap out of Jordan, Ann Widdicombe and handicapped children.
Rhod Gilbert did the course the year before me. We went to see him do a gig. He was a lot different then. Quite laid back, reflective. Now he's a shouty arena comedian. "Hello Wem-ber-lay! Can you hear me at the back?"
I'm a miserable cynic, but even I thought this particular thing was worth it. Why? because:
1. The people are all a laugh
2. It doesn't cost that much
3. It forces you to eventually go on stage and confront your fears.
I've tried boxing in front of a big audience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yKeoNxAJA4 but I found going on stage far more scarey
Yeah do it.
Don't listen to the cynics.
Just bear in mind that no-one can teach you to be funny.
And be careful which course you go on.
