M.U.C.K. (Merseyside Uncut Comedy Kollective) MANIFESTO
WHO ARE WE?
We're people who like comedy.... some of us like to perform it, some like to write it, some like to sit and listen... but we all love comedy. We formed the 'kollective' to give members an opportunity to perform comedy... by performing, if we can have a laugh, improve our material and maybe even move on to get some bookings then that's a bonus!
Most of us are new(ish) comedians looking to improve our material and get more gigs.
FIND US / DIRECTIONS
As of April 2nd 2007, we've moved. Our new meeting place is the upstairs function room at The Revolution Bar (The ’Rev Bar), 2 Temple Court, Liverpool, L2 6PY - Telephone 0151 236 0905. If you walk down towards Cavern Walks from Victoria Street, you’ll see it on your right
Meet at 7:30pm, grab a drink or two in the downstairs bar and head upstairs (stairway to the far right of the bar) to the function room for a prompt 8pm start.
See this link for a map and directions : Google Map Here!
Free evening parking is readily available on North John Street, Victoria Street and Stanley Street.
The nearest rail station is Moorfields, but it's not that far a walk from either Liverpool Central or Liverpool Lime Street - or even James Street - i.e. dead convenient bang in the centre of town!
It's also pretty close to the bus stops at Roe Street.
USUAL AGENDA
~ Introductions - say hi to new faces
~ Quick review / summary of recent gigs ran or performed at
~ Review of upcoming MUCK-ran comedy nights and poll to see who wants to perform at each gig (attendees get the first call on slots)
~ Review of other gigs where we can play - Liverpool and further afield
~ Review of special gigs - e.g. Spring MUCK, Liverpool Comedy Festival, Edinburgh gigs, Xmas etc
~ Quick discussion on website ideas / feedback
~ Recruitment - attracting new performers / members
~ Performance time! Those who want to perform a quick routine / part routine and get feedback from the room on what was liked and what can be improved. Max 10-mins total per performer including performance and feedback time
~ Close and shandies
PURPOSE
Provide an opportunity for stage time, peer feedback, and networking - potentially bringing in tuition, hosting / appearing in local comedy shows.
MUCK would also be happy to support double acts, sketch comedy, poetry, revue style, script writing – anything as long as its funny (to others).
GROUND RULES
The material presented must be yours - i.e. written by you and original.
No racist material. Other potentially offensive material is a problem and the suggestion is that while we are not the Joke police it is important a performer knows they are offending and upsetting the audience – so a red card system would be used to indicate that the material is causing a problem. It is not a red card in that performer must leave stage, or that we have red cards (will just raise invisible cards) but that they at least know the reaction.
Boorish behaviour that’s spoiling the evening for all – asked to leave unless its part of their set.
TONE
Balance of structure and friendly creative atmosphere.
MEMBERSHIP
Newbie comics/comic performers, potential newbie comics, interested friends (i.e. potential audience), newbie comic writers.
FEES / MONEY
No - we are a Kollective man. There is no subscription / membership fee / subs - nothing. However we do earn money from some of our gigs. This pays the headliner with the remainder funding the infrastructure behind the group. The group is not ran for profit / income. It is ran so that we can improve our comedic skills and get performance experience.
VENUE
The Revolution Bar (The ’Rev Bar), 2 Temple Court, Liverpool, L2 6PY - Telephone 0151 236 0905
STRUCTURE
Rotating chair! Someone to ensure it doesn’t become too ramshackle times are kept to and all the business is got through.
Two breaks during meeting/open mike spots with any business at the start of the meeting.
Normally 3-5 min open mike spots, with agreed exceptions While this may seem unduly mean we suspect such discipline will be of great use as part of the editing and performance skills development – and it will above all ensure all get a turn quicker. It’s important that this rule is not broken.
The overall principle is that each artist is allowed 10 minutes of audience time. They can choose to have less feedback time and just perform for 10 mins.
FEEDBACK
Four methods :
- Amount of laughter and snoring during set.
- Immediate debrief by ‘audience’ – round robin but limited to 5 mins max. Performer can indicate they don’t want debrief.
- Simple forms with 3 or 4 variables such as delivery, material handed out which audience can choose to complete or not – given to performer.
- Informal discussion with performer in own time.
EQUIPMENT
A PA, microphone and stand will be available at all meetings - if you need anything else, bring it... We can also mix in other sound sources if required - such as guitar, keyboard, backing track etc... drop the webmaster line if this is required.
If group prospers we'll review use of spotlights so performers can experience working in such intense light. Some sets will be audio or visually recorded (as long as the performer is comfortable with that).
CYCLE OF MEETINGS
Every two weeks - full details always on the MUCK homepage with minutes on the forum
OFFICERS OF MUCK
There aren’t any. But people were daft enough to be prepared to help out in certain ways.
Initial contact for interest, shows, venues and website – John Glennon at
webmaster69@muckcomedy.com
Keeper of the structure and keeper of the timekeeping bell (also to be referred to as Gandalf) – Ben Heal at
bheal@onetel.com
New non-officers will be appointed as we can catch them and needs emerge.
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