In this episode, Chris is interviewing the award-winning comedian, Tony Law. They discuss his career as a comedian and how he has dealt with stress during his professional journey.
Tony talks with honesty and candour about the challenges he has faced and provides a fascinating insight into the world of a successful comedian. Listen in now to hear more.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
We often look at people in the public eye and their personas and but need to remember that everyone has anxieties and challenges, as humans we are essentially all the same.
Why do you think your style of comedy appeals to people?
I think it’s the subject matter I always do some self-deprecation, making a victim of yourself when you are the one who’s behaved badly.
I go and see lots of other comedians and then try to find a subject that is completely different to them something they haven’t thought of, to use when I’m writing.
I have my little niche and try to keep my shows interesting doing one or two bits that are a little bit naughty, to catch people out a bit.
What is the professional world of comedy like?
The day to day is very stressful, and I’ve been doing it for so long now, I can’t do anything else. Before being a comedian, I tried lots of other jobs, but nothing was a career choice, comedy is who I am.
It’s a very insecure job and there is always the stress of needing to pay for the essentials in life such as food and rent.
The stressful part is the worry, there is always the joy of performing but the stress is always in the background.
What has your career journey been?
I’ve found it difficult not to be resentful of those who have alternative means and can spend a year perfecting a comedy routine without the stress of needing to get laughs at the pub gig every week.
When it is your job you have to generate an income and so as a comedian its always on to the next gig with lots of travelling in between.
The pub gigs are a good discipline to help you to find the funny, the expectation is that you will get laughs and it is an opportunity to make sure your material can entertain.
Festivals such as The Edinburgh Fringe festival are echo chambers for the liberal arts, reflecting back things people already think.
If you are a brave comedian you will be doing a show to the crowd at a NASCAR race event, not the fringe where everyone already has the same view.
Ultimately it's about getting laughs and trying to be original and if you have a message at the end people should be able to make up their own minds later.
You’re taking your audience on a journey. There’s thought behind it but not necessarily literal thought, it's more about a feeling.
Who were your comedy heroes growing up?
All the classics such as Monty Python, but I came to them late, I was 15 when I first experienced them, and it changed my life.
I was a funny kid all my life, that was how I got my love or attention, I was always the funny guy, it was when I discovered Monty Python that I realised comedy was a thing.
I also hugely enjoy and appreciate the comedy work of The Goons and the genius of Spike Milligan, the comedy that isn’t saying anything but still makes you laugh.
Do you think comedy has become more or less stressful over the years?
Early in my career, I found it really stressful because clubs can be bear pits and I’m not really suited to the heckling in that environment because it changes what you do, and you become combative.
I attributed a lot of my stress in the early part of my career to nerves, I am in a very different place in my career now and still have nerves but it’s different as they are about excitement.
The competitive aspect of individuals in the comedy profession hasn’t changed. Earlier in my career, there were fewer comedians, but a lot fewer gigs available, now there are lots of opportunities even though there are many more comedians.
I feel the stress more now because I have dependents, children who I need to be able to look after. I have responsibilities and so the end result, to make a living, is more important now.
Can you learn from the mistakes you make?
The first 2 years of being sober were tricky because I was trying to find out who I was. You are in a position of having wisdom but are lacking maturity.
You think you don’t need to fix yourself and just want people to like you this can lead to you be an untrue person.
Sometimes you have to be brutal and honest with yourself so that you can look after and support your family.
As soon as you are able to acknowledge your true nature then you are able to manage it effectively.
If you can overcome your confidence you can own the world, often its confidence that holds us back.
BEST MOMENTS
‘My comedy veers quite a lot into art’
‘You get into problems you didn’t even know existed’
‘I don’t try and do anything that I don’t find funny’
‘I feel like I’m at home everywhere in Britain’
‘You’ve got to sell your soul’
‘You’re constantly scanning to identify any possible dangers’
‘It’s not brave telling each other about what we already think’
‘You can’t be so precious about what you do’
‘My comedy is about me trying to find my place in the world’
‘It’s about me trying to navigate and find out how I can be funny’
‘Driving is the thing that really helps me with stress.'
‘I listen to podcasts and audible books when I’m in the car’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/serial-stress-killer/id1438515546?mt=2
ABOUT THE HOST
After many years of dealing (badly) with personal stress for over 20 years, Chris Hackett is on a mission to help people understand and overcome stress and anxiety by tackling the problem head-on.
CONTACT METHOD
Contact the show
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What’s been your favourite episode so far? Connect with Chris to let him know - [email protected]
ABOUT THE GUEST
Tony Law is a hilarious stand-up comedian known for his highly surreal material and delivery.
His routines are often built around fictional and surreal situations which he brings to life in unexpected and creative ways!
Tony has appeared on; Have I Got News For You, The Alternative Comedy Experience, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
For more details about Tony and his show schedule visit:
http://www.mrtonylaw.com/
Www.twitter.com/mrtonylaw
Www.facebook.com/mrtonylaw
Www.instagram.com/mrtonylaw
Www.youtube.com/mrtonylawcomedian
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