Tell us about your style of comedy.
I like to watch comedy that is alternative with a capital A – think formally trained clowns covering themselves in raw egg. While I’m not quite that weird, I like to think of myself as someone who enjoys and embraces the fact that standup is a rule-free world. (That’s basically a wanky way of saying I use props and my set’s a bit all over the place…)
How did you get into comedy?
I listened to a lot of podcasts about writing comedy when I was bored and lonely on maternity leave a few years ago, found a local open mic, gave it a try, and got completely obsessed.
What is your favourite joke you’ve ever been told?
The best and stupidest joke of all time is the Wide Mouth Frog Joke. Google it.
What is the best piece of comedy advice you have ever been given?
For standup: just do what you actually think is funny, don’t worry about what other people are doing or what you ‘should’ do.
For writing for open submission comedy shows (I’ll give you some links to examples of these are if you’re interested!): work your arse off and submit the full amount you’re allowed to every time, even if you think some of it is rubbish.
Who is your favourite comedian we’ve never heard of?
Well both these people are massively successful and you’ve probably heard of them, but the egg-clown-lady I referenced earlier is Natalie Palamides, she’s amazing. And I love Paul Foot – very clever, very weird, been at it for decades – definitely worth looking up if you’re not already familiar with him.
What challenges have you faced working in comedy?
I imagine people usually answer this question with stuff about entrenched misogyny and other toxic bullshit, and that is very real. But I don’t think people talk enough about how knackering standup is, especially if you’ve got a job and/or kids and/or any kind of health stuff.
I just physically can’t hammer several gigs a week the way footloose and fancy free young comics can. That’s one of the reasons I love writing for the radio, you don’t need to worry about a babysitter or finding the venue or how you’re getting home safely etc etc. It’s accessible to almost everyone.
How do you think that comedy as an industry can better address these issues?
We need more gigs to run on weekend afternoons so everyone can get home to bed at a sensible time. That would literally change my life.
Online gigs and stuff like Bring Your Own Baby are a step in the right direction as well.
It’s obviously not just comics that can’t always access some room above a dodgy pub at 9pm, it’s audiences too, so everyone benefits. (I’ve just realised I’ve answered this without checking Blizzard’s start time or location, if it’s 9pm and above a pub please understand I DON’T MEAN YOU, YOU’RE DIFFERENT AND LOVELY.)
What do you hope people take away from your shows?
Laughing together in a room full of other people at the same stuff feels really nice, doesn’t it? That’s all I’m ever trying to create really.
What advice do you have for anyone hoping to get into comedy?
Life is really short, be brave and do it.
And if standup is not your bag, or you want to diversify into writing, particularly from the news/topical side, here are the links to the BBC open submission shows and info on how to write for them (if they’re not running right now, follow the show on social media and they’ll post when a series is next coming up).
- BBC Radio 4 Extra – DMs Are Open – Submit Your Ideas
- Skewer Contributor Guide (weareunusual.net)
- Breaking The News writing tips – BCG Pro (comedy.co.uk)
- Noising UP – The Comedy Unit
Ali is performing at Blizzard on Monday 13th May. Book your free ticket here.
