23rd July 2006
JOINING THE COMEDY CLUB
Comedienne and writer Janey Godley ad-libs her way through an unscripted
act every night. Glasgow-born Janey - who has seen her share of personal tragedies on
her way to the top - will perform up to four shows a day at the Edinburgh
Fringe but says it is nothing compared to running a lively pub. How I did it: I learned to laugh in the face of adversity...
I was sexually abused as a child, lost some of my closest friends to
heroin abuse, saw my mother murdered and married into a family of gangsters. Working in the Calton Bar in Glasgow's East End, I covered everything from psychology to social work. I draw on all my experiences for my comedy routines. I did an open spot at the Gong Show in 1991. Ford Kiernan was there and it went down well, so I couldn't wait to do it again. The buzz is like heroin, you never want to give it up. Chic Murray and Billy Connolly were great inspirations but so were the old punters in the pub. |
My big break was in 2003 when I put on two shows at the Festival.
I started to get a lot of attention and to get a lot of work. This year
I'm doing three shows a day so the only thing I'll be going to see after
them is my bed. It all happens on the day for me and I love the danger
of ad-libbing. Perks: I'm talking for money, I'm not digging a mine. I love
what I'm doing - it pays well in the end. Five-year plan: My mum died at 47 and I'm 45. I've got two years
to do everything I want, so I'm going to. Tips: If you are passionate about comedy and are good, people will discover you. The Festival is important because you could spend 17 months on the circuit and never find a TV sponsor. |