News Teenage comedian set for festival gig
Game for a laugh: Ian Smith.
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A teenage comedian has taken a huge step towards making it into the international comedy circuit.
Ian Smith (18), of Dunhill Road, has reached the semi-final of the So You Think You're Funny? competition and will perform in front of around 150 people at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Ian, who has already organised, compared and performed at comedy nights in Goole and Howden, was one of around 50 candidates, from 300, to progress to the next stage, which takes place on August 14.
"I was really happy when they told me I'd got through to the semi-finals - if I hadn't have got in, I'd have been gutted," he said.
The winner of the final, which also takes place at the Fringe, will win £2,000, a place at the Montreal Comedy Festival and, most importantly, a massive boost to the CV. Second and third prize is £1,000 and £750.
Tickets to the final are sold mainly to television and club executives, on the look out for new talent, and both semi-finalists and finalists earn the respect of the industry by getting through.
Past winners have included Peter Kay, Rhona Cameron, Lee Mack and Dylan Moran.
"At the moment, winning would be a dream, the best thing that could happen," said Ian.
"I know it sounds like a cliche but I enjoy making people laugh - it's a good feeling."
One of the youngest comedians around, Ian started stand-up comedy in 2005.
"Sometimes I get my material from experiences but I find it hard because I'm young," he said.
"I read the papers, too."
For the semi-final, which Ian says also commands respect from entertainment bosses, he will perform a similar routine to the one that won him the heat.
"We have to keep the same material," he said.
"I talk about primary school and relationships.
"I had a good joke about relationships and I built a routine around it."
As well as his trip to Edinburgh, Ian also has a semi-final in the Other Side Comedy Club's New Act of the Year Competition to win.
He beat an experienced comedian in an one-on-one heat in Doncaster and will compete in the semi-final in the autumn.
Ian is planning a final practice session at The Gate on Wednesday August 1, when Howden's comical music duo Moose Womb will also appear.
Tickets are £4, available from the Goole Town Council offices or by calling 01405 7636523. The door open at 7.30pm and the comedy begins at 8pm.
"It promises to be a hilarious night of comedy, and should be very experimental and alternative, and maybe a bit wild," said Ian.
"There will also be a bar."
The night is not recommended for the young or easily offended.
Published on 19th July 2007 in News.
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