Geraint Dafydd Evans gives an insider’s view of comedy contests

On Sunday, I was 25, and I’m delighted that I started as a comedian before reaching the quarter of a century. However this week has the potential to be the worst in my comedy career, and could significantly dent my confidence.

I’m in a few competitions, and next week, I’ll find out whether I’m through to the semis of So You Think You’re Funny. I’ll compete in the semi-final of the Welsh Unsigned Stand-Up Award and I’m in the final of You Must Be Joking.

It sounds decent right? It sounds like I’m doing well. But I hate competitions. If we treat comedy as a subjective art form, can we compete? Or at least, do we need to in such a gladiatorial manner?

I always want to be the best comedian on the night. I don’t need a prize. Can’t all the promoters and agents and whatnot go to every night? Can’t they come and see me storm an open-mic in Swansea , or watch me nail a 15-minute open on a pro night? The answer’s no, and I don’t really expect them to.

The problem is, I could go to one of these competitions, have a cracking gig, absolutely batter it, and if the judges prefer someone else, I don’t win, If the crowd prefer someone else, I don’t win, If it’s audience voting and someone’s brought more mates, I don’t win. That’s all fine, but it leaves me wanting to top myself. It could turn what should be one of my best gigs into a massive spiral of self-doubt.

Don’t get me wrong, the opportunity to be seen is brilliant, the opportunity to get myself into the wider comedy consciousness is great and I’m grateful to the guys who run these things to give new acts like myself these opportunities. And to be in this position after only six months, I should probably shut up and be happy with myself. It’s just the idea of not being the best sticks in my craw.

I’m aware these wailings make me sound like I’m man who’s afraid to fail. To be honest, I think I could deal with failure in these things on their own, but for all to happen in the same week? I’m terrified of the effect it could have on me. I already take it personally if I have one bad gig. But perhaps the most terrifying thing for me would be, having to face up to the fact that I’m not as good as I think I am.

I had some good advice from a top headliner recently, he said I shouldn’t worry about it, he said I should go out there and enjoy it. He told me that these things seem huge at the time but quickly pale. This may be right and I’ll try, but it’s hard to do when I’m facing probably the most significant moments in my life as a comedian yet.

Published: 11 Jul 2011