Here’s a funny thing, people in Wythenshawe are being offered the chance to learn how to tickle an audience’s funny bone with a FREE stand-up comedy course.
Courses start Monday 7 September at the Forum Library.
There are 16 places available on the 12-week course, which is open to any Wythenshawe residents aged 18+.
Award-winning comedians Seymour Mace and Ashley Boroda are running the course on their return from performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Seymour was City Life Comedian of the year in 2003 and Best Breakthrough Act at the North West Comedy Awards in 2004. He has recently featured in 4 series of 'Ideal' the BBC Three sitcom.
The course provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a stand-up comedian, from writing material to microphone technique. Students will also learn to source material, study comedic styles, and learn performance and confidence-building skills.
Councillor Rosa Battle, Assistant Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Manchester City Council said: "The stand-up comedy courses are part of our cultural regeneration programme. They have proved very successful in east Manchester and I am pleased we are now able to offer them in Wythenshawe. I am looking forward to seeing the results of the course and perhaps we will find a new comedy star!"
When they complete the course participants will take centre stage at a special showcase night at The Comedy Store in Manchester city centre, and will receive a DVD of their 15 minutes of fame. They will also have the opportunity to compete in 'Wythenshawe's Got Talent' at The Forum on 7 November.
The course is being funded by Manchester City Council/Wythenshawe Culture Working Neighbourhoods fund. The purpose of the course is to give Wythenshawe residents the opportunity to test their comic talents as part of the commitment to supporting cultural industries in the city.
Ashley Boroda, comedy promoter and course tutor, said: "Stand-up comedy is one of the areas of life where you can get on by talent alone. You don't need to have qualifications or have gone to a fancy school or a top university. It is also not important to have contacts in the industry, have a famous parent or even possess model looks. You just need to be funny."
The comedy course has been welcomed by the Real Lives campaign, which aims to challenge outdated and negative perceptions of Wythenshawe through facts and first hand accounts from local people.
To book a place, call or send your details to Dawn at Wythenshawe Regeneration Team on 0161 4997778/ d.warriner@manchester.gov.uk - Name, address, postcode, age, telephone/email. Places are limited and successful applicants will be informed a week prior to the course.