Real life: I never thought I’d…
Trying something new is often daunting. But these three women are proving that it’s never too late to change direction – and find success...
I never thought I’d... be a stand-up comedian
‘My legs were trembling as I walked on to the stage…’
Mandy McCarthy, 57, from Leeds, is mum to two grown-up children. People have always told me I was funny and I loved to make them laugh, but becoming a full-time comedian was something I never dreamed I’d do.
For years I worked in healthcare and hospitality while bringing up my two children, now 24 and 26.
I still enjoyed getting people to laugh, though – Victoria Wood was my idol. So if I thought of a good joke or a funny anecdote, I’d jot it down in a notebook.
Then, around eight years ago, I started thinking about doing stand-up.
The idea was thrilling, but terrifying as well. I thought I was too old, that it was too late to start a new career. But eventually the need to do it became bigger than the fear of not doing it.
So I enrolled on a sixweek course called Laugh at Leeds with comedian Paul White, which was amazing. And two years ago, when I was 55, it was time for my first gig, at a club in Leeds. Standing backstage, I could hear the crowd chatting. I felt sick with nerves. What if my jokes fell flat? My legs were trembling as I walked on the stage, but soon enough, the laughter from the audience calmed my nerves. It was exhilarating.
Since then, I‘ve performed more than 100 times. The good thing about being slightly older is that you have a lot more material to work with. I don’t tend to do one-liners; usually it’s vignettes of family life, focusing on being female, relationships and kids – the kind of material everyone can relate to.
My children are supportive, but they’ve only seen me perform a couple of times – they’re too worried about the audience not finding me funny. They watched me when I made it to the final of the Harrogate Comedian of the Year, though.
I’m determined to get better, and I hope to have a show at the Edinburgh festival. I’ve even set up a group with two friends – Super Troopers Improv – and we gig all over the country. I’m so glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. My dream wasn’t a joke after all!