Comedy Blogedy: How long have you been gigging in stand-up?

David McAndrew: I did my first open spot in November 2008 and it was a complete disaster – microphone too near my mouth, too drunk, too much swearing, lack of quality, material and practice. What also added to my nerves was that the room had a bad atmosphere even before any act had been on due to some guys who had been drinking in the bar all day.

I was completely hooked.

Comedy Blogedy: How would you describe your comedy?

David McAndrew: Place the flour, sugar, cocoa and chocolate chips into a large bowl. Add the oil, creme fraiche and eggs. Beat together until smooth and slightly fudgy.

Hang on… that’s the description about how to make Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes!

Er….  Next question please.

Comedy Blogedy: Which comedians influence your comedy?

David McAndrew: “When I was growing up, I loved Eric & Ernie, the  Two Ronnies, old films of Bob Hope, Norman Wisdom, Peter Sellers and episodes of Sgt Bilko (still do). Now it’s John Shuttleworth, Ivan Brackenbury, Frank Skinner, Lee Mac, Sean Lock & Mickey Flanagan.

Comedy Blogedy: Did you always want to go into comedy?

David McAndrew: I have always wanted to do something that involved being creative. The whole process of thinking of an idea, finding the right words, testing your material, editing it or binning it. The feeling when an audience laughs at something you’ve created and then performed is possibly the best feeling in the world.

I’ve come to stand-up a lot later than most starting out (I’m now  41) but I can’t imagine not being involved with it,  it’s  like………….

“HONEY I’M HOME!”

Comedy Blogedy: How do you go about writing your material?

David McAndrew: I  get inspiration from all over. I may see something, someone might say or do something, memories, imagination, everywhere really.  I very rarely sit down with a blank piece of paper and write.

I tend to put notes on my phone or scraps of paper and go back to them at a later date, look at what I’ve hurriedly wrote thinking …. What the bloody hell did I write that for?

Comedy Blogedy: Do you gig as a stand-up full time or is it more of a part-time hobby? If so, do you find that your main job influences your material? 

David McAndrew: It’s just a part time hobby. I work full time in Finance & Procurement  in Leeds so as for inspiration that’s about as funny as a bone marrow transplant. I also work every other weekend  with adults with learning disabilities. You’re trying to improve people’s quality of life so I try and bring as much fun into my role as is possible. The main influence for my material  are my experiences in life and my family (especially my dad).  He does strange things like makes his own braces from string and key rings. He boiled his spectacles and once left his false teeth behind in a café.

Comedy Blogedy: What do you find the most enjoyable and frustrating parts of the amateur comedy circuit?

David McAndrew: Enjoyable – making new friends, travelling, the buzz of going on stage and the high of when everything has gone fabulous.

Frustrating – Not getting replies to my emails from promoters,  (they are soon deleted from Facebook).

What’s your favourite type of audience to perform to?

Breathing and if possible… awake.

Comedy Blogedy: Have you been heckled a lot since you’ve started gigging? Do you enjoy being heckled? What’s the best heckle you’ve had?

David McAndrew: I’ve had a few heckles but not that many. I actually don’t mind a bit of banter. It’s always either someone who’s  really drunk and wants to be the centre of attraction or someone who genuinely thinks they are doing you a favour. As for best heckle, nothing springs to mind as most are just a drunken slurred shout!

Comedy Blogedy: What advice would you give to new acts thinking about starting out in comedy?

David McAndrew: Gig as much as you can. Write as often as you can. Don’t keep churning out material that’s bilge. Get a solid 5, then 8, then ten etc.  ENJOY IT !

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