Interview with Bisha K. Ali

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

BKA: I’ve been gigging since October 2012 – so just under a year. I went to a bunch of open mics around London before I did my first gig to feel things out and I’m glad I did. I also wanted to force myself to continue in spite of how good or bad the first gig went, so I booked a bunch of gigs one after the other in the week following my first gig.

CB: How would you describe your comedy?

BKA: I wouldn’t. My style is mostly storytelling and I can be chatty with the audience. I think I try to subvert expectations when I go on stage. But then I do talk about things that people might assume I’d talk about – so race, religion, being confused, being a human. Everything I talk about is based on personal experience (exceptional, right?) and a lot of it is about not quite fitting in. Based on this paragraph, I would describe my comedy as rambling and self indulgent.

CB: Which comedians influence your comedy?

BKA: Without sounding super douchebaggy (and thus sounding very douchebaggy), I would have to posit that I’m not sure my comedy is influenced by anyone in particular. I will say that I grew up listening to a lot of comedy from across the pond – like Bill Cosby & George Carlin. I went through an obsessive Carlin phase in my teens, sought out the likes of Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks – you know, all those guys. I guess my modern heroes of comedy would be Tig Notaro, Louis CK, Sarah Silverman & Rick Shapiro.

CB: Did you always want to go into comedy?

BKA: Part of me did, in my head. In the real world, I studied a lot of statistics, economics and politics with plans to go into international development, and I was working as a data analyst at a big newspaper for a while. I never really believed the creative world was for someone like me, but then, you know, I gave it all up on a whim and decided to give the arts a go.

CB: How do you go about writing your material?

BKA: Lots of note taking, idea mashing and scribbles on notepads. I keep going and eventually there will be ideas that link up to each other. Once I’ve dumped it out on the page, I leave it to sit at the back of my brain and eventually the cogs will pump something out when I’m walking the dog, taking a shower or doing anything non-comedy related. My brain also goes into hyperdrive just before a gig and I end up with a lot of new material in the 15 minutes just before I go on stage. This is very irritating and I hope it doesn’t happen to others.

CB: 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?

BKA: Neither of those would describe what I’m doing. I’m gigging four – five nights a week and don’t have a main job in the traditional sense of the word, so no – there’s no influence there, though I am working on some material about the people I used to work with.

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

BKA: The most enjoyable part has definitely been meeting some incredible people – some of whom I’m sure I’ll be friends with for years. Going to places and living a lifestyle that was completely alien to me before has been a real treat.

The most frustrating part for me has been the variation in quality between open mic gigs. There are some incredible new act nights out there (often with long waiting lists or with a personal recommendation only policy), while there are others that will have one or two audience members and a bunch of other acts. The other acts often vary from happy and supportive (probably new) to indifferent and impatient for their turn. But, you know, learn to play any room and all that. I’m still grateful for someone taking on the risk and opportunity cost of running any kind of gig on a regular basis.

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

BKA: Slightly tipsy comedy-literate people who want to enjoy the night.

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

BKA: I haven’t had too many heckles since I started. I like it, so long as it isn’t overtly aggressive. I once had a man in the front row tell me I’d get to see his special man bits if I was lucky (not a direct quote.) I can’t remember my exact reply, but I’m sure my response was ruthless yet charming.

CB: What advice would you give to new acts thinking of starting out in comedy?

BKA: I’m a new act too, so take everything I say with a pinch of salt.

I think If you really want to make a go of it, get organised, be persistent and create good writing and admin habits from the off. If you hear about a new night, write it down immediately, you will become inundated with these and forget. Try to get a list of the open mic nights you particularly like and use those for new material. Do all of the gigs, even ones you’re scared of. Especially ones you’re scared of. Don’t lie to promoters to get gigs you’re not ready for. Get yourself ready for gigs you wish you could apply for but can’t because you’re not ready. Get ready by gigging a lot at gigs you can handle.

Like yourself! Don’t focus on what other people are doing, or what other people are saying about other people, or indeed about you. Don’t look for validation from other comics – you’re getting a real-time review from your audience every time you get on stage. Listen to feedback from people you trust and whose comedy you admire. Don’t give people feedback unless they ask for it. And even then don’t give people feedback. Be kind, everyone is learning. Be aware that you’re learning, constantly. Remember that you don’t know shit and you never will, just like me. Persist.