Sometimes I told people I was a teacher, sometimes I’d tell them I was a comedian. But whatever I said, it would always get the same response: “God! I couldn’t do that!”
This probably has something to do with people’s phobias. The number one fear we have isn’t death, nor is it big hairy spiders. It’s not even being trapped in a lift for six hours with David Cameron. The one thing that scares us more than anything else is speaking in front of a group of other people.
I started performing in my PGCE year. Me and another student teacher both liked comedy and we would always talk about giving it a go. Eventually, one night, after one too many beers, we made a pact that we would both get up on stage before the end of our course.
I’d written some jokes but I had no idea if they were any good and I didn’t have a clue how to get a gig. But then I got an email from the Frog and Bucket comedy club advertising a course for aspiring comedians. I signed up and it was brilliant – it was a bit like teacher training really – it gave you a chance to practise your gags before being unleashed on the real world.
I think my stand-up had a positive impact on my teaching. The comedy improved my confidence – plus it helps to have a sense of humour and a quick wit in class… and teaching meant I was stood up talking every day which always kept me sharp for a gig.
I never used to tell the other teachers about my ‘double life’ – firstly, I was only an amateur and I wouldn’t want them to see me have a bad night on stage… and secondly, some of my material was inspired by my life as a teacher – they might recognise themselves in one of my jokes!
EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDU... 