Issue 17 | Spring 2003

Comedy Classes –
It’s No Joke!

Laughing in class might normally be frowned upon in schools, but pupils in two Huyton schools have been having lessons in laughter with their teachers sharing in the joke.

Budding comedians at Knowsley Hey School and Bowring Comprehensive have been learning the art of stand up comedy.

The Stand Out comedy workshops, run by Liverpool Comedy Trust and funded by Huyton SRB Regeneration Partnership, saw pupils working with professional comedians and performing to enthusiastic audiences.

Comedians went into the schools one day a week for six weeks teaching the pupils all aspects of stand up comedy from its history, to writing and using the microphone, with the emphasis on observational humour rather than ‘telling jokes’.

The Comedy Trust run the Liverpool Comedy Festival and also looks to establish and nurture new talent. The workshops are aimed at 14-18 year olds who may have difficulty finding outlets for their creativity outside the school curriculum.

Michael Quirke, the comedy Trust’s Director of Education and Training said, “The Stand Out comedy workshops aren’t offered anywhere else on Merseyside and there’s nothing like this anywhere else in the country. The workshops are conducted in a very friendly and uncompetitive environment, with students with very different backgrounds and interests working together to help one another’s progress.”

The series of workshops ended with a public showcase at each school, with awards presented to all performers. Students from both schools will be representing them at the 2003 Liverpool Comedy Festival in July.