July, 2007
Stand Up Guys
The Buzz, Charlottetown PEI
by Ann Thurlow

Because comedy is fun, everyone thinks it’s easy. But imagine standing up, alone, in front of a whole bunch of strangers—and trying to make them laugh. That’s what Patrick Ledwell, Richard Schroeter, and Taylor Carver and François Weber are doing, in the Island Standup Comedy Showcase, which plays this summer at the Guild.

Why do stand up?
PL: Stand up depends on the audience, which is pretty mysterious and nerve-wracking. When I do the job of connecting with the audience, and they’re having a good time together, even a not-so-funny observation can cause a huge ripple effect. It’s risky, always interesting, and super when it works.
TC: I do stand up because it’s a way for me to get my thoughts and ideas to a wide audience. Also it’s cheaper then medication.
FW: In the world of comedy, stand up remains the biggest challenge. The set is simple a light, a mic and you. I have been touring around the Maritimes with Yuk Yuk’s and thoroughly enjoying every moment of it. Social commentary or simply observations: stand up comedians stop and make people think. As Homer would say “It’s so funny ‘cause it’s true!”
RS: I find it fun being able to find common ground with people I think it is only on common ground where you can truly find the heart of an audience.

Why do you think there hasn’t been much stand up in Charlottetown?
RS: We have a lot hardships here and hardships and comedy go hand in hand, but not everyone wants to share that with people they don’t know.
FW: Simply a matter of opportunity to see stand up. We need to see more professional stand up in order for some guy with a mullet and a beer in his hand to go “Hey I’d like to try that someday.”
PL: The lack of standup comedy may be partly because we’re such a close-knit community. In a small place, being peculiar, edgy, or smart-alecky aren’t going to win you many popularity contests, and those traits are the main tricks of the standup trade.
TC: I think it’s a question of not having the avenues to explore it locally. Through performing at Baba’s I’ve seen that there is definitely a large talented group of people that want to do this but until now had no place TO do it.

Your act in 25 words or less.
TC: My act is what would happened if someone read my diary in front of a room of my peers, I’m cutting out the middle man.
RS: My life on stage. Honest and painful and hilarious.
FW: Growing up with a name like François in an English community, my life as a teacher and a student, getting through a recent health scare and, of course, my cat.
PL: A funhouse-mirror look at life in my thirties. I try to bend the outlines of everyday experience, so people can enjoy its basic weirdness.

Island Standup Comedy Showcase will take place on July 7, 14, and August 4 at The Guild in Charlottetown.