A dark and dirty world of laughs

8:26am Thursday 22nd May 2008

Bradford-born actor Nick Stanley has been forging a new career for himself as a stand-up comic over the past year or so.

Next month the 41-year-old is doing a turn at Bradford's New Beehive Comedy Club, off Westgate, under the title of The Urban Slut.

His decision to have a go at this form of comedy followed from an appearance in a cabaret show called Dark and Dirty at Bradford University's Theatre in the Mill in the summer of 2006.

Written by Bradford-based playwright Michael Stewart, the show included a character who was a stand-up comic.

Michael said: "The audience didn't really buy it, they didn't believe the character was a stand-up. What came out of it was that we needed to get more material together and he needed more experience.

"We put him in some open-mic shows in London and Nick really enjoyed it. It took off. In the past year that he's been doing it, stand-up has taken over. He's been re-born."

I know from previous conversations with Michael that his friend went through a testing time of doubt and anguish before finding his feet again. Art saves lives.

Mr Stewart had a go at this particular form of entertainment some years ago.

"It was in a comedy club in Leeds. I didn't understand the mechanics of telling a joke and I died," he said.

Knowing how to deliver material also requires the requisite bottle to stand up in front of strangers and do it.

The people who prove to be successful at it are sometimes a surprise. The office funny man, for example, is the person most likely to die in front of an audience.

Having been an actor for 20 years Nick had the bottle, but now he's acquired something to pour out of it.

In between other jobs and commissions Michael has been sending his friend jokes and ideas.

"It takes a long time to do. I write material and send it to Nick, who tinkers with it. Some things have to be road-tested and then refined. We've got enough material for about an hour. We're hoping to take it to Edinburgh next year," he said.

So who or what is The Urban Slut?

"It's a persona, an exaggeration, based on Nick's background. He's using his real life as a basis for comedy. It's a kind of theatrical invention in that sense.

"This should be a good time for him to appear at The New Beehive - he's on with two other acts. The Comedy Club is starting to build up an audience," he added.

Bradford comedienne Isma Almas will be the compere for the evening, which will start with Chris Brooker. Headlining is Vince Atta.

• The Urban Slut is on at Bradford's New Beehive Comedy Club on June 6, from 8.30pm. Tickets on the door.

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