‘I became a comedian in my 40s’

Teacher and single mum Jules O’brian, 48, from Staffordshire, felt like her life was stuck in a rut. So she decided to take a big leap out of her comfort zone…

How a teacher made the leap from school to stand-up

‘When I heard the applause, I felt so alive and empowered’

Two years ago, I had a job I enjoyed as an English teacher and three gorgeous teenage children, and yet, I felt like something was missing. I’d been divorced 10 years, and a few failed relationships had shattered my confidence. Added to that, aged

45, I was developing a fear of ageing and felt lonely, lost and insecure.

I couldn’t even tell anyone about it. I was the ‘funny one’ among my friends; the one who always cracked a joke. I didn’t feel I could let them see the other side of me. I spoke to a therapist who said I needed to be kinder to myself and see myself as a fully rounded person with lots of different parts to her personality. I also realised I needed something to focus on that would make me feel good.

It was then that I heard about a local comedy class. It was an eight-week course run by a comedian called James Cook, where participants would be taught the basics of stand-up before performing in a charity event in aid of Cancer Research. I’d always loved watching comedy, and was fascinated by what drives someone to reveal their innermost thoughts on stage for laughter. It was for a good cause, too, so I signed up.

For the next eight weeks, I went to the evening classes, fitting it around my job. There were eight of us in the group, a mix of both men and women. We learned how to use a microphone, how to embellish a story to maximise comic potential and the brilliance of a carefully timed, unexpected punchline. My material was perhaps not what people expected – cheeky, often a bit rude! I’d talk about everything from boob jobs to dating apps and even managed to make jokes about my most feared topic of getting old. In a strange way, comedy became my therapy.

On the night of the event, I sat backstage, wondering if I was about to make a terrible mistake. Then I heard my name being called and I walked out on to the stage. As soon as I began my routine and heard the first ripple of laughter, my initial terror gave way to pure joy. I found myself growing more confident and, when the room burst into applause at the end, I felt so alive and empowered. ‘That was amazing!’ I said to the others afterwards.

That night made me realise I wanted to carry on with comedy, so I started signing up for ‘open mic’ sessions in local pubs and function halls. Some nights the crowd loved me, but other times my routine would fall flat. I’d drive home feeling like I’d failed, but the highs were addictive enough to keep me going.

Now, I perform regularly; my biggest gig so far was at The Glee Club in Birmingham last year. It was amazing performing to a huge audience. I still work full-time as a teacher, but comedy has given me a new perspective on life. It’s boosted my self-esteem and taken me in a new direction. I’ve also made a lot of lovely new friends.

Women in comedy are outnumbered seven to one by men. I want to give us older women a voice and show that we love to laugh. Hitting midlife was hard for me, but I’m proof that you can tackle new challenges whatever your age. I’m so glad I did something positive for myself.