St Andrews’ Comedy Scene: Still Standing
By Eilidh Paterson
Photo by Dawid Pasik
On last Tuesday’s very rainy evening, all I wanted to do was continue watching Selling Sunset to see the fallout of Nicole and Chrishell’s Thanksgiving dinner debacle in real time. The last place I planned to be was Mrs Trunchbull’s chokey – otherwise known as Aikman’s cellar. But that is where I found myself ready to indulge in some light-hearted comedy.
The St Andrews Comedy Society (ComSoc, dubiously) were hosting their fortnightly stand-up show. It included three pre-planned acts from Ewan Mackie, Megan Wigzell, and Zac Nowishadi, followed by some open-mic surprises.
Our host, George Rook piqued my interest by opening the night with a tarot reading on an unsuspecting audience member, pulling The Fool and Death. His divine interpretation was incredibly eloquent and transcendent: the fool from the audience was vastly approaching death. An unfortunate message from spirit, but an intriguing beginning.
First up was Ewan Mackie, who had been doing stand-up for just under a month. He did a wonderful job thawing a rather frigid audience, and I – emotionally preoccupied with Jason and Brett Oppenheim – include myself in that count. For his first gig with ComSoc, his set was fun, well-timed, and most mercifully not too long. “I’ve always been inspired by funny people around me,” he told me afterwards. “There’s something so pure about making other people laugh.”
Megan Wigzell made her ComSoc debut with a set on slow walkers and losing her grandmother to the labyrinth of Renfrew’s Braehead. Having worked there last summer, I wondered if I might’ve glimpsed the poor woman myself. After the gig, Wigzell told me, “I think doing stand-up is something everyone should try, and my first gig in St Andrews is one I’ll remember.” Being a woman in comedy comes with its risks, but her pre-show nerves were eased by the warmth of the room: “It was a very nice environment [and] I wasn’t booed off the stage […] I’ll give St Andrews more credit from now on”.
ComSoc’s president, Eva Rieckewald, explained, “It’s hugely important to me to foster a comfortable and exciting atmosphere for our performers,” an endeavor ComSoc absolutely delivers on. While audience etiquette can never be guaranteed, the society’s efforts were obvious as Rook familiarised himself with performers before the show and Rieckewald laughed at nearly every joke, ensuring that even a swing-and-a-miss landed somewhere.
Rieckewald closed the night herself. I was especially enthralled by her stories of a legendary performer she met at a gig in the US: Big Daddy Blaze – a man who has been at the forefront of my mind ever since. Allegedly donning a purple velvet suit, a donut tie, and immense stage presence, he sounds like a performer worthy of pilgrimage. Rieckewald even suggested that the man, the myth, the Big Daddy Blaze, might make an appearance at a future event. This alone is enough to secure my interest in future ComSoc shows, and it should secure yours too.
“Comedy is my greatest passion,” Rieckewald said. “It’s an empathy sport […] the opportunity to emotionally connect with friends and strangers alike is great connective tissue for students and locals who come to our shows.”
If you’re considering trying stand-up, or just want something different to do in this town, I would recommend giving ComSoc’s Tuesday nights a go. I enjoyed it completely sober (ish), unlike a few of the comedians themselves. As Rieckewald puts it, “It’s cheap, fun entertainment with your friends, and it gives you a reason to get out of the house for a guaranteed good time.” And crucially, there is always the thrilling possibility that Big Daddy Blaze might materialise on stage in a cloud of purple smoke. With comedians, you really never know.
Cover Photo by Dawid Pasik
