I Get Paid To: Make People Laugh

I started by doing an open spot in a pub in Dublin, that’s when you’re given three minutes and you do your best. It’s usually scary but exhilarating, that’s how it was for me anyway.

Even though I felt sick and wanted to be invisible during and after my spot, I couldn’t wait to do it again, so I did – dozens and dozens of open spots around Ireland until I started to get paid! Boom! I would recommend trying an open spot, to anyone, anywhere – it’s fun!

I’m not sure – I like funniness. Also I don’t know what else to do with myself – sometimes I think I’d like to be a builder like my Dad, but I’m bad at maths so the houses I’d build would have had giant rooftops and teeny doors. The clients would probably complain and I’d get fired and have to live in the wonky house on my own…no way! I’ll stick to comedy thank you. 

 

At the moment it’s festival time so I’m travelling around, quite far from home. I stay in hotels and hang around with other comedians during the day, we spend all our money on rich food and inappropriate shoes, I think we should all grow up but the thing is – most of them are already older than me. We do our own shows every night for an hour, then afterwards go and see each others shows. It’s awkward if you don’t like somebody’s show – you just have to say ‘Oh my goodness, the lighting was ace!’ When I’m at home in Dublin I stay in my room writing on my computer and my cat Edie stares at me, as if she wants to say something very honest, but can’t bear to.

I like being in new places and seeing other people’s shows that make me laugh. I also like being allowed to basically show off and blab about whatever I like at night time, and people don’t mind as long as it’s funny. 

Getting to see shows and meet funny people – that is what I love to do and because of my job I get to do that! I also like the fact that I can wear whatever I want and get up late.

 

It’s different because the hours are odd and it’s fun because if you are rude or stupid you can say it’s because you’re a comedian trying out a new joke, and people won’t be mad at you. 

It helps to be funny, though lots of comedians aren’t; they are just persistent. So you need funniness and tenacity – it’s a rare combination but the two together will make you amazing. It helps to have a nice group of people, like family or some friends, that think you’re great anyway – that way it’s OK if the whole comedy thing doesn’t work out.

I tend to remember humiliations much more than triumphs, so on a bad day I can still hear my own shaky voice echoing around a hall full of brightly lit, scowling footballers in a midlands town in Ireland. 

I’d say if you feel like it, try it – at least three times – that’s a fair go. Book an open spot, write some things down that make you laugh, and if you make it big – give me 15%. 

I love doing stand up so I want to keep doing it, so maybe one day I’ll be brilliant or even good. Yes, I want to be a good stand up comedian. 

As part of the NZ International Comedy Festival 2009 – Maeve Higgins will be charming audiences in her show ‘Kitten Brides’. Check it out from Tuesday May 12, throught to Saturday May 16, 8:30pm at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland CBD. Bookings 0800 TICKETEK (842 5385) or  www.ticketek.co.nz. Adults $22/Concession $18.