From thinkers to groaners, there’s something for everybody at a Mark Simmons show, and his cheeky, flirty disposition twinkles from beginning to end. Having become a familiar face on Mock the Week and a regular on the annual list of Best Jokes at the Edinburgh Fringe, Simmons is a passionate writer who explores the medium and relishes the mechanics of a gag, as he often discusses on his podcast.
His latest show, Jest to Impress, makes its way to The Witham in Barnard Castle on Saturday 21st November.
The comic sits down with Cameron Wright to talk all things jokes, comedy and performance.
What turned you from a comedy fan into a writer?
I grew up enjoying comedy like everyone else – sitcoms and stand-up – but my friend was on the open-mic circuit and told me to give it a go. My first time in a comedy club was also my first gig. I was allowed into this crazy underground world and discovered a universe I didn’t know about. In terms of a joke, I remember having one for years that was just OK. Then, simply by moving the structure around, I fixed it. I went through my entire set and worked on everything. I paid attention to every single joke and whittled it down.
How do you know when a joke is ready?
What I love about comedy is that it’s never perfect. There are a thousand ways a joke can be enhanced. It’s easy to fall into a routine: if a joke gets a laugh, you tick the box and consider it sorted. But little details and momentum change. I’ll never bin a joke just because it doesn’t get a laugh. It’s always worth sticking with things, even if it takes years for them to click or reach perfection. When I do the Edinburgh Fringe, it’s just me, a clipboard and a lot of jokes. That’s where I figure out the structure. I’ll talk people through the process, give them a peek behind the curtain and openly explain the changes I’m making. Hand gestures, rhythm, eye contact – there are so many elements that you’re adapting each night. There was one recently where I got excited and accidentally said the punchline first. But I told them the set-up afterwards, and they laughed even more because they knew what was coming. So that’s been really exciting to play with.
How do you structure a one-liner show?
That’s what Edinburgh is for. I think everyone has limits to how many puns they can hear before they need a breather, and I like to keep resetting the show. Longer jokes, audience interaction and little details all help to keep it fresh. Since those peek-behind-the-curtain shows went so well, I almost wanted this show to have a lecture-like feel to it, as I analyse a couple of the jokes. I also have a set list written out, which has inadvertently stopped people going to the toilet, since they know how long is left. That’s been a fun addition that I’ll have to use again somehow. Taking Danny Ward on as my support, since he doesn’t do one-liners, provides a nice palate cleanser for the audience. It can also ease people who aren’t fans of one-liners into the show, because ultimately, my favourite compliment usually comes from partners who’ve been dragged along: “I don’t normally like one-liners, but I really enjoyed that.”
You seem to really enjoy playing and interacting with an audience…
I’m just excited that people are turning up. I spent 14 years on the circuit before selling tickets to my own shows, so I just want to be friends with the audience. People don’t want to sit at the front of a comedy show in case they get picked on, but my front rows are always the first to sell, which is a lovely sign.
Where does your confidence come from?
When you start out, you do all these competitions. I’d get to the final and bomb every time, and I never knew why – but it’s nerves. Nerves have such an impact on a performance. Now I never get nervous on stage as it’s my favourite thing to do. Once you completely relax, learn to enjoy it and feel free on stage, you’ve made it. I see jokes as bullets in a gun, and the more ammo you have, the more the audience allows you to be inventive and explore, as they know you still have the jokes as a back-up.
Mark Simmons heads to The Witham in Barnard Castle on Saturday 21st November. Tickets, priced at £20.00 in advance, are available at thewitham.org.uk.
