There is a saying that "Luck, is where hard work and opportunity meet." And there is another saying that "You shouldn't run before you can walk." I can relate to both of these phrases and it probably won't come to a surprise to many of you how this blog will turn out. After the hard work, sacrifice and commitment I have put in to writing a stand up comedy show over the last 12 months, I have realised there is still much more work and effort still required. The test or experiment I am attempting has taught me that when you see the finished products of McIntyre or Manford on the TV, Or when you see Gary Delaney's show in Edinburgh the amount of hard work and man hours that goes into producing a viable show.

For the past 3 years I have seen my circuit comrades grow from strength to strength, people like Freddie Farrell, Jon Pearson, Masai Graham, James Cook, Jay Islaam, Mickey Sharma, Jay Handley, Roger Swift and many others. Theses guys are setting the standards on the regional and national comedy circuits. They are all different in so many aspects, but its the similarities that stand out more to me.

1) They are consistently gigging, they work hard and have developed a reputation as hard working comedians.

2) They consistently take shows to Edinburgh and other festivals.

Is there any coincidence that these guys are having a taste of success? I'm not talking about main stream success, I'm talking about people are noticing them. I know there are always people that break the mold. But these are the guys I look up to, that inspire me.

Winning concepts don't have to be about reinventing the wheel, I believe a winning concept is emulating the formula of those that have succeeded and trodden the ground before you. We then take our unique self and apply the formula to ourselves. As a Christian I don't believe in luck, I believe luck is where hard work and opportunity meet. If you apply yourself correctly, opportunities will present themselves. We just have to be patient until those opportunities arise.

Last year I set myself a challenge to write 45 minutes of stand up comedy to perform as a solo show. When I reached 25 minutes of material, I realised that If I could write another ten minutes I would have the bare bones of a show. I did write another ten minutes and braved the idea to take it out to a few venues and a couple of festivals, a mini tour in smallish buildings or coffee shops. I booked in 6 venues in total, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Tipton, Liverpool, Nottingham and Caerphilly. This past Thursday, In Wolverhampton, I debuted my work in progress show (Yes, I did give myself an out on the grounds that this show is likely to be rubbish and to give myself room to grow.)

Thursday 6th October 2016 - Lock Works Cafe, Wolverhampton.

I can't even begin to describe the emotions that I was feeling and how quickly you cycle from anxious to excited to snappy to frustration as people in front of you are actually driving the speed limit as you are trying to get to the venue. My nerves subsided a bit at 7:30, when a couple asked what time my show started. Lock works cafe is part of the Light House arts centre and cinema, located in the old Chubb building in Wolverhampton. They have loads of little classes and clubs which congregate at the centre. The cafe holds approx. 25 - 40 people at a push and there were 20 or so in at 7:45pm. As I was asking the people if they were here for comedy, a table of 4 Germans, said they were in a 'English for Foreigners' class and were sticking around because they saw the flyer and wanted to see the German comedian. They saw my surname on a flyer and presumed I was a a fellow countryman. Did it not dawn on them that the rest of my flyer is in English? And states that I'm from Tipton. I didn't know if they were having me on or not. Maybe this is considered comedy in Germany? Regardless they weren't laughers.

It also turned out, I was the youngest person in the room, all but two people were 10 years my senior. The other 2 were a couple in their 40's. Quite a bit of my stuff is not going to be ideal for this room, I hope they remember the 80's and know that WWE wasn't a war in Europe.

One couple decided after five or so minutes, this show wasn't for them, but in fairness a lovely elderly lady at the back loved it that much she corrected my grammar on two occasions and, pointed out how WWE is no longer WWF just before I could drop the punch line.

Everyone but the Germans were seeming to enjoy it. As I was wrapping up, I looked at my watch to realise I had done 40 minutes, I can't speak for the 18 left in attendance but for me it felt a lot less.

I came off stage with such a euphoric buzz. I had done it, it wasn't great, but it was a foundation to build on. The only person to die was me during a World Wildlife Fund joke. On the way out, the retired supply teacher, came up to me and said "Thank you, I enjoyed your set but I expected to hear than five minutes about Tipton." And then put £5. in the bucket. If I actually did a 40 minute show full of jokes about Tipton, I wonder if she would have put an extra £35 in?

I went home and treated myself to a hot chocolate.

Saturday 8th October 2016 - The Roadhouse Birmingham - B'ham Comedy Festival.

I have been looking forward to this gig now for months, my nearest comedy festival, one where my friends and family could come and see me do my thing. I wasn't as nervous as Thursday, I'd put loads of flyers out, posters, Facebook group, Facebook event, e-poster, B'ham comedy fest brochure, friends, family, word of mouth, sign language, several whats on websites, ents 24. I mean the full works. I should at least be looking at 35 people minimum.

I arrived at the Roadhouse at 5:20, they don't open the doors til 6pm and the show starts at 6:30 so plenty of time to set up. I sat in the car and had only been there a few minutes when I noticed a familiar face, my manager from work! This was so awesome, I had a good feeling about this. About 5 minutes later, Jimmy, the lead singer and guitarist from Buzzard showed up. and still an hour before show time, this is looking great.

6pm came, still just me, Jimmy, my boss and his mate.

6:15, me, Jimmy, my boss and his mate.

6:30, me, Jimmy, my boss and his mate and a guy that had seen my show in the brochure

I started the show, and it started like 5 mates in a living room. I got to the third bit of material which is on racism and 3 straddlers came in. Wooohooo, its now a gig. 7 people.

I actually picked up the pace a bit and they were the ingredient I needed, I was totally gutted on the inside, but these 4 people who walked in because they saw my show in the brochure, and decided to see my show over an halfhearted England performance really was humbling. They were laughers as well which helped pick up the atmosphere.

After the show they were awesome, I wish I could have hung around to chat with them but I had to fly to another gig in Telford. I didn't have time to lick my wounds, I was due in Telford in 45 minutes.

Gig 2, Telford Arena - Telford

45 minutes to get to Telford. Nothing worse than travelling alone when you're questioning why I bother. What was I thinking trying to actually do a stand up show? What on earth was I thinking people would come and see me talk rubbish for 45 minutes? What on earth was I thinking booking a double in? I did just about got there in time, a lovely benefit show run by Richard Green, 150 people in, cracking atmosphere.

I went on in the third section and had a lovely 10 minutes and really needed it. I thought about things on the way home, people really liked me tonight, I know I have material that works. People that don't know me, or I them, took time out of their busy lives and schedules to come and see my show.

I got home and saw this tweet. "Just been to see Mhuburn Tiptonite, low turnout but lots of laughs had."

Sensei, I don't know if you'll read this, but if you are, I want to thank you so much for your kind words, you have no idea how much I appreciated that and the difference a little tweet made. Thank you to all that came out to see me over the past week, I really appreciate all your support.

Much Love, Hubz.

@mhuburn

facebook - www.facebook.com/martinhuburncomic

A Work In Progress.

Love your neighbour as yourself.

A Work in Progress - Part 8 Monkey See, Monkey do!