Laney

QUESTIONS:
Name: Margaret
Age (optional, but preferred): 24
Occupation (optional, but preferred): Mining Engineering Student

1. How long have you been a fan of comedy/stand-up? Has the comedy scene changed much during this time?

I've been a fan since about 1999. I wouldn't know if the scene had changed from them, because I probably wasn't even over-age then and so I didn't get a chance to visit venues. The comedy scene has changed, for me, over say the last 3 years as I've had the opportunity to see lots more local acts come through and make it big.

2. Would you consider Sydney comedy fans a tight-knit community?

Yes I would think so. At least it used to be. Often I'd see the same people at a lot of shows, whether that be tv comedy tapings, or live stage shows. Albeit they could just be stalkers. But the early days of MOSH really did bring Sydney comedy fans together.

3. How regularly did you attend the Sydney Comedy Store? How regularly do you go to comedy gigs?

Three years ago, I would say I went possibly once a month, or even more frequently than that. These days, I'd either seen the comedian perform the same material over and over (eg Greg Fleet) and so I didn't want to pay money to see them again, or more often than not, it was merely because I don't have time anymore.

4. Why do you attend comedy gigs? Why do you think people attend stand-up comedy?

I love being made to laugh, thats why I go to gig. I think people go because it's a social event which allows them to laugh.

5. What sort of things do you consider when you purchase tickets to comedy gigs? (for example: pricing, star quality, etc)

Pricing is definatley a factor. Being a student, I also look out for concessions. However, I have paid for gigs which cost up to about $80 (eg Bill Bailey). I also would consider seeing international artists more than local artists, purely because international acts don't play nearly as frequently as local acts. But there are definately some local comedians, I see over and over, because I love the way they interact with a crowd, and each crowd is different.

6. What was your reaction to the news that the Sydney and Parramatta Comedy stores had closed?

I wasn't suprised that the Parramatta Store had closed down. I hadn't been to it, but the comedy venue which used to exist there (I think it was the Laugh Garage) has always been crap, and so I think it would have been difficult to replace that known crap venue with something similar to the Sydney Comedy Store. Hearing that the Sydney Comedy Store had shut down, I was surprised and shocked and disappointed. The Sydney Comedy Store is my favourite comedy venue. It's in a prime location (for me at least, because I attend the university down the road and I can get to the Store in about 20 minutes), and it's got an awesome stage and audience area. I'm really disappointed that I hadn't been there in about 2 years, until Eddie Ifft performed there about 2 months ago. I should have gone more.

7. In your opinion, what affect will the closure of the Sydney and Parramatta Comedy Stores have on the local scene?

I think closing of the Sydney Comedy Store will have a greater impact than the closing of the Parramatta Store primarily due to the reputation Sydney Comedy Store has had over the last decade. I think the affect will be fairly detrimental to the local comedy scene in that comedian, both local and international will have fewer places to perform, which do not even has nearly a good a reputation as the Sydney Comedy Store. It may also be difficult for international artists to recieve such warm reception at other relatively unknown venues.

8. How will you remember the venue?

As my favourite comedy venue.

9. Charlie Pickering once said that comedy is only one-rung above magicians in the entertainment field. Do you agree with this statement? Does Comedy receive enough exposure from the local media?

Maybe not the local media. Some television programmes such as Rove Live give up and coming comedic talent a go, which is what comedians need. Triple J is another example of the media (not local though) giving comedians a head start.

10. Is there anything else you would like to add about the closure of the Sydney and Parramatta Comedy Stores?

I hope the Sydney Comedy Store re-opens.


Hope these answers are okay. Let me know how it goes

Hi Laney,
Sorry to bombard you with messages but I have no idea what I'm doing with the PM on this site!
Thanks for your interest and agreeing to answer my questions, they are attached below...
Cheers,
Natalie

PS- If you need to get in touch you can email me at natmp3au@gmail.com or whosonfirstblog@gmail.com

QUESTIONS:
Name:
Age (optional, but preferred):
Occupation (optional, but preferred):

1. How long have you been a fan of comedy/stand-up? Has the comedy scene changed much during this time?

2. Would you consider Sydney comedy fans a tight-knit community?

3. How regularly did you attend the Sydney Comedy Store? How regularly do you go to comedy gigs?

4. Why do you attend comedy gigs? Why do you think people attend stand-up comedy?

5. What sort of things do you consider when you purchase tickets to comedy gigs? (for example: pricing, star quality, etc)

6. What was your reaction to the news that the Sydney and Parramatta Comedy stores had closed?

7. In your opinion, what affect will the closure of the Sydney and Parramatta Comedy Stores have on the local scene?

8. How will you remember the venue?

9. Charlie Pickering once said that comedy is only one-rung above magicians in the entertainment field. Do you agree with this statement? Does Comedy receive enough exposure from the local media?

10. Is there anything else you would like to add about the closure of the Sydney and Parramatta Comedy Stores?