When
I first started in stand up some 18 months ago, I had little idea
as to exactly where it was going to take me and who I was going
to meet.

We talked about various aspects of comedy and, at the end of
it, I felt on a real high! |
Comedian
Nik Hill |
Since
my first gig way back in February 2002 at The Miners Arms in Sling,
I have performed at many gigs and encountered a wide variety of
people - some receptive and others not so!
During
this time I've been on a really steep learning curve. Stand up is
a case of sink or swim and, if you can keep swimming for long enough,
you may be lucky enough to get a break.
Comedy
has been in my blood since I was at school,I guess, and it was a
chance meeting with ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Voices producer Simon Williams that led
me to hosting my first ever comedy workshop at Central Technology
College.
I
had the idea of taking the format of a stand-up comedy session into
a school so any kids there who might be interested could get a taste
of what's involved.
As
time went by I began wondering if I'd done the right thing - after
all it's one thing performing for a five minute slot to a comedy
orientated audience, quite a different proposal in presenting a
group of 14-year-olds with an idea that they may have no interest
in whatsoever.
 |
New
routine: Nik Hill faces a different audience in the classroom
|
Tuesday
1st July was the big day - and I have to admit I was more than a
little nervous!
As
I entered the classroom I was met with a sea of faces staring at
me, some in curiosity, some indifferent.
But
as I told them: "You can say what you want to me here. Believe
you me, I've dealt with far worse than you on the stand-up circuit!"
Having
broke the ice, for the next hour, I managed to get every single
kid in the room involved in some way or another.
We
talked about various aspects of comedy, who they liked, what made
them laugh, Punch and Judy, where to get material from, how to put
it together and, at the end of it, I felt on a real high!

Potential often gets overlooked - and if a comedy workshop helps
to give a few kids additional confidence or even get them started
in an art form which they've never considered then it's all
well worth it.  |
Comedian
Nik Hill |
This
was brilliant, this was what I wanted to do for a job - teach! The
kids were great, a bit cheeky at times but respectful.
This
was something different for them, something where they could contribute
with no right or wrong answers.
The
next stage is to revisit the school and assist them create some
short stand up routines in order for them to perform at the opening
of their revamped quad which has had a makeover as part of the Voices
project.
If
this goes well then we have plans to roll this project out to other
schools in the county.
Talent
exists everywhere and it's really rewarding to actually be involved
in some way.
Potential
often gets overlooked - and if my comedy workshop helps to give
a few kids additional confidence or even get them started in an
art form which they've never considered then it's all well worth
it.
So what
did the boys make their masterclass in laughter?
Martin:
"I can see how to piece comedy material together now."
James:
"I learned it's easy to make something funny out of nothing."
Hear more of Nik's comedy workshop -
and the boys' reactions
The
final word from Nik Hill: "School can be places with a lot
of talent that isn't being exploited.
"It
would be great to see some people coming through to the circuit
that way - and I'm sure we will."
|