Chrissie MacDonald responds to Dick Shadbolt

There is nothing more relaxing after a stressful day at the office (I work in politics!) than watching half an hour of comedy on television or on video.  As soon as I arrive home from work, I get myself a drink (I won’t say what, but the initials G & T are often involved); I open the video cabinet and then I might reach for a "Young Ones" video, or seek out some "Men Behaving Badly" or possibly look for something "Absolutely Fabulous".

There are times, however, when I feel like a stand-up fix. I do realise that there is not a lot better than a night out absorbing the atmosphere of a stand-up comedy venue. My recent visit to London early this year reinforced that for me. But; problem; dilemma; I live in Brisbane. I could, if Ms Bank Manager would allow it, allow myself a weekly trip to London to indulge myself at the Comedy Store, or another of London’s great venues. Occasionally, my fair, sub-tropical home is honoured with a visit by Ben Elton, Billy Connolly or Lenny Henry; and Sydney and Melbourne Comedy festivals never go any further than Sydney or Melbourne. Brisbane is not often blessed by even Australia’s comedy finest.

I had a very pleasant experience recently at a comedy club here in Brisbane. I was at the local club, watching popular Australian comedian, Vince Sorrenti. I was at the same table as an annoying heckler, but things took a delightful turn towards the end of the evening when Vince presented the heckler, Merv, with one of his promotional T-shirts. Merv, in his extremely pissed state gave the T-shirt to me, a generous gesture that did not go unnoticed by Vince Sorrenti. After the show, Vince volunteered his autograph on the back of the shirt, giving me a lasting souvenir of an already memorable evening.

But, back to the videos/television. This medium gives stand-up comedy a sense of permanence ; a bit like a plastic skin being placed on a pavement chalk drawing, so that it can survive the passing of time, and eventually picked up and hung in a gallery or displayed on the wall of an appreciative individual. Certainly the essence, the spontaneity may be slightly diminished, but on a video of a comedian, we can get more than just a general idea, it is ALMOST like being there.
Are stand-up comedians selling out when they become comedy actors/writers/directors etc? No! Not at all!

I’ll give you one example ; or is it really two? 20th Century Coyote. Recently out of drama school, Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson hit the stage at the Comedy Store, and later at the Comic Strip. We met the likes of the Dangerous Brothers and Rick, the feminist poet. Their work, in its early stand-up format, was primitive, raw and in-your-face, often, quite literally! But after seeing Rik Mayall in "Bottom", "The New Statesman" (which I feel is his best work) or "Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis", seeing or hearing his 20th Century Coyote or Dangerous Brothers can sometimes send the cringe-o-meter right off the scale.

Of course there are those who have made stand-up comedy a true art form ; Lee Hurst immediately comes to mind ; but for those who have moved on, they have not sold out, they have successfully diversified.

P.S. Mr Shadbolt ; To say that a TV comedian has an easy, flushed-with-funds existence is like saying that ALL politicians are liars! 

Chrissie Macdonald (Macdonald4@bigpond.com)
Brisbane, Australia25th October 1999 

Chrissie runs the The Adrian Edmondson Web Site.

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