“John Ryan comedian and Master of Ceremonies for the day drew large crowds where members of the public not only benefitted from a good laugh but gained valuable information as well. The day was a great success thanks to John and it is true that laughter is the best medicine!

Over 100 men had health MOT’s (30% of which were referred to other services). 70 received stop smoking advice, over 80 were given skin cancer awareness information and 75 new blood donors were registered.
500 pedometers and water bottles were distributed, in fact we ran out such was their popularity!

The events focus was on getting men more active. Over 100 took a rowing challenge, over 200 took football and bike challenges. Top scorers got some great prizes including the best sports quiz team.”

Community Public Health Practitioner, Public Health Development Unit

A word from John himself: “The day started out with me avoiding the full English breakfast at the hotel. I felt a bit guilty bulking up on the calories before talking to a crowd about their health. However I got as far as the muesli when the smell of the bacon wafted over. The waitress assured me that it was grilled so I figured it was healthy. Plymouth is a lively town and there was a good crowd many of whom remembered me from last year. The brief was straightforward, we needed to encourage the public to take up some of the many opportunities for health checks, and tips for a healthier lifestyle that were littered around the place. This they did in very ‘healthy’ numbers. The south west has the highest rates of skin cancer in the UK so there was plenty of opportunities to mention the free sun cream and other preventative measures available. The highlight of the day was being able to offer free condoms with my advice to “keep it zipped up and you wont need these’. All in all another great day and I even managed to avoid the chips with my grilled meat and salad (aka a kebab).  Roll on next year.”

Ryan McDonnell

Edinburgh Show: AAA Stand-up
Where: 33 Pleasance – Courtyard
When: 4-30 Aug (Previews 4,5,6)
Time: 11.00pm
Show Summary: Bringing his own brand of upbeat Northern Irish banter to the Fringe with a mixture of laughs and charm, Ryan will entertain you with an energetically, unique view of the world and how he survives in it.

You Would Never Believe…Ryan is former print & radio journalist and massive football fan, following the lesser know mighty force that is Glentoran FC from East Belfast.

Ryan McDonnell’s current Comedy Club Gigs

It’s not the done thing to laugh at mental health issues. Just ask Steve Penk. Strange, as most comedians react to taboos like bulls to a matador’s cape. As John Ryan, standup comic and compere of Cracking Up!, says, “You hear comedians doing jokes about paedophilia, rape, child abuse, murder … no one’s making jokes about mental health.”

Cracking Up! is about to change that, helping to reduce stigma by normalising mental health problems. It’s a variety night – a mix of comedy, sketches and poetry based on research and featuring contributions from people who have experienced mental health difficulties. Developed by NHS Surrey, the show has had a successful local run (including tough gigs such as Woking Football Club), selling out in its two-days in London, and could be coming to a club, theatre, school or business seminar near you.

One of the reasons people can laugh at jokes dealing with the taboos Ryan describes is they are relatively rare. It’s unlikely that someone in a comedy show audience has been directly affected by child abuse (although Jim Jeffries was famously confronted by a member of the audience who felt the comic’s bad-uncle gag was too close to home); one in four people are directly affected by mental illness. Monday’s sold-out theatre, if not quite the hard evidence needed to back up that figure, at least proved that many people are curious. Questioning revealed that a number of charity workers and mental health service users were among the audience.

It’s all very worthy, this desire to improve empathy. But is it funny? When I went along to find out, I realised I’d never seen anything like it before – and judging by the nervous atmosphere during the first half, neither had the rest of the audience. But any anxieties were assuaged by the compere: Ryan was personable and accessible, yet mischievous and willing to push boundaries. Once the audience realised what was going on, second-half laughs came easily and heartily. It felt inclusive and empowering.

Gareth Berliner has Crohn’s disease, and appears on stage with what must surely be a comedy first: a backpack containing a pump, which is connected directly to his heart. Undoing the valve, Berliner cheerfully related, would result in his swift and bloody death. He then told us about his botched suicide attempt. While fascinating in a morbid way, this is hardly a laughing matter. But on Monday night, delivered in Berliner’s twinkling style, it was a killer gag. In fact, it’s a good example of the obstacles the show faces: while mental health is still a hard sell, it needs to be pricked, laughed at, normalised – and ultimately accepted.

Cracking Up! proves that a comedy show about mental health can be hilarious. It’s a relief to see an agenda-led project, which mixes arts with education, deliver its message without preaching. But once it has raised its issues, the question is whether people are willing to face them head-on.

Scottish Stand-up Paul Pirie Joins Comic Voice Management

PAUL PIRIE
“a brilliant natural comedian…” - Edinburgh Evening News

Paul Pirie began his Stand-up career in April 2004 after giving up acting to pursue the funny man that lies within and quickly established himself on the Scottish comedy circuit. It should be pointed out that at the time he was living with his Gran, having given away the keys to his flat in a pub quiz. Since this time Paul grew up a little and now lives in Essex, (where his better half keeps the keys), and is making himself well known on the English Comedy Circuit.

Paul has since had a consecutive succession of sell out shows at The Glasgow Comedy Festival. In 2005 Paul joined esteemed popular comedy-improv group Dance Monkey Boy, Dance! (also featuring Raymond Mearns), and has helped with the development of the group. In 2006 ‘The Boys’ caught the attention of BBC Radio who recorded the show at the Glasgow Comedy Festival and since then, Dance Monkey Boy, Dance! have gone on to work under the watchful eye of the BBC to develop regular radio shows.

View Scottish comedian Paul Pirie’s full biog and video showreel here

Top Comedian Adam Ethan Crow Joins Comic Voice Management

ADAM ETHAN CROW

‘His almost infinite range of material is seamlessly knitted together with bursts of surreal musings and tall tales, taking the audience on dark Munchausen style adventures.’
(Kate Britten ‘The Stage’)

Performing regularly at the country’s premier comedy venues, including The Comedy Club, Jongleurs, The Glee Club and The Reading, Leeds and Edinburgh Festivals, Adam’s unique take on life has earned laurels from various newspapers and magazines as well as from comedy luminaries such as Ricky Gervais, Griff Rhys Jones and Harry Hill.

Appearing regularly on television, radio and in theaters, Adam is equally at home performing at festivals and corporate events.

Adam is currently filming a pilot for a new television show.

View comedian Adam Ethan Crow’s full biog and watch showreel here

Irish Stand-up Comedian Ryan McDonnell

Belfast boy Ryan McDonnell is no stranger to laughs in his home town and is currently building up quite a reputation for himself on the UK comedy circuit. He interjects a sharp wit and Irish charm in his observation of everyday life. Sometimes bizarre, often dark he’ll guide you on a unique journey through the world as he sees it.

Quotes:

‘McDonnell’s candid and incisive brand of comedy will have you nodding in agreement while at the same time you’re trying to hold your sides in. And although you tell yourself you shouldn’t be enjoying his non-PC rib-ticklers, just like a car crash you’ll be unable to look away.’
- The Irish Post