Attending a comedy show can be exhilarating. You can enjoy feel-good energy after laughing along to the stories and jokes of a comedian. If you are a first-timer to comedy, you might be unsure of what to expect. Should you be clapping along to hilarious puns? Should you heckle and let your feelings known when you disagree?
Participation in comedy shows is an element you might want to know about in advance. This way, you can understand whether you will appreciate the experience or give it a miss. So, let’s take a closer look.
Participation at Comedy Clubs
If you have never been to a comedy club before, you might think this is an intimate setting requiring everyone to gather around and enjoy the content. Sure, it is somewhere you go to appreciate humor and enjoy yourself. But it does not necessarily mean that you have to participate actively. You are buying a ticket for a show and seeing certain comedians. They are the ones that will lead that show. For instance, if you are interested in Saturday night comedy in London, check out the Comedy Carnival. They have a host of popular and experienced comedians that ensure you have a fantastic time.
Often, the participation in shows is going to depend on the comedian. They will have their own individual style and humor, which might call upon the crowd to join in. For instance, there are some comedians that like to ask members of the audience questions. They then offer them advice, make jokes or even ask them about stories. Of course, this means that if you do get picked, you are going to have to participate in the show actively.
But, do not let this put you off. Not every comedian is going to have a show like this. Some stick to their own experiences and stories, which means that you do not have to join in directly. Instead, you can pay attention to the storylines instead of worrying. Indirectly, you might follow the crowd and clap or laugh along to jokes.
Factors in Participation
Generally, there will be a few factors in play regarding participation. They will have an impact on how much you have to join in with the show. Let’s take a look at them.
The Comedian
We have touched upon the fact that the comedian themselves will be a factor in participation. Everybody has their own style, and this is going to play a part in how much involvement you have. A good way to find out what you should expect is to research a comedian before booking tickets to their show. There are going to be reviews online about the comedian, which can give you an indication of what you should expect.
The Size of the Crowd
It goes without saying that you are less likely to be called upon if you are in a busy crowd. Indeed, there will be many audience members, which allows a comedian to converse with one of them. The probability of you being asked questions or having jokes directed at you will be lower. If you do not want to be called for a question, try to sit near to the back of the audience. This way, you are less visible.
The Professionalism
In some cases, it will come down to the show itself whether you are going to be participating. For example, there are going to be amateur shows that call upon the audience frequently because they lack real content. So, they require active participation from the audience because they have fewer stories and jokes to share.
Your Choice
Do not forget that it is your choice how much you participate in a comedy show. For instance, you do not have to laugh out loud or clap at good jokes. You can choose to do this if you want to. But, you are under no obligation to join in. Something you should not do during professional shows is heckle. This is an activity that is now frowned upon in comedy clubs. You can be removed for doing this.
What Happens If You Do Not Want to Participate?
Everybody wants to know what happens if you get picked on in the crowd and you do not want to participate. First of all, you should make sure that you are not worrying about this in advance. It is not always a common occurrence. If you have done your research on comedians, you can avoid this happening to you.
Often, someone can get picked on in the audience because they have done something to draw attention to themselves. For example, you could be late to the show or you look miserable in the front row. Perhaps you are wearing a vibrant outfit or you are talking during the jokes. Therefore, lower the risk of this happening by being respectful to the comedian and trying to blend into the crowd.
In addition, not every comedian wants to embarrass you. When you go to see professional comedians, they want everyone to have a good time. Sometimes, they will openly ask questions to the crowd instead of picking on an individual person. This allows you to take them up on the offer if you want to. Alternatively, you can choose to remain quiet and listen to everyone else in the crowd.
Know that you can get a loved one to interject if you are uncomfortable. For example, this could be your partner or a friend sitting next to you. You can throw them into the deep end instead! A comedian is going to see you are uncomfortable and move on. Professionals know an audience and will recognise when you wish for them to move on.
Again, sitting near the back during a comedy show is a good idea. This lowers a lot of risks, unlike being in the front row. Thus, do not be afraid to switch seats or ask for a certain area when you arrive at the comedy club.
