Collection | British Stand-Up Comedy Archive Events |
Description | Angela Barnes gives the Linda Smith Lecture on 2nd November, 2022 at the Gulbenkian Theatre, University of Kent. Audio files, photographs and posters of the event.
Summary: Track 1 [1:28:00] [00:00] Recording starts, Host Oliver Double [OD] introduces lecture. Discussing the lecturer Angela Barnes [AB] and her relationship with the namesake of the lecture: Linda Smith [LS]. [03:45] AB is welcomed onstage. AB discusses “imposter syndrome” and jokingly refers to upbringing as working class in Kent. [07:36] AB talks about LS and her influence, meeting Warren Lakin [LS husband]. [09:30] AB goes on to describe first television stint including a message received from Warren Lakin afterwards. [12:58] AB discusses “political comedy”: talking about herself and LS. AB goes on to compare the politics of ‘today’ [2022 at time of recording] with the recent past. [14:15] AB talks about her ‘Mock the Week’ [British panel talk show] notes from early appearances on the show. [15:50] AB explains the sense of comedy camaraderie. [16:20] AB suggests a working title as a thesis for her discussion: “likeminded friends.” [17:00] AB story about a comedy job “emceeing” at a rugby club in Tonbridge. [18:25] AB talks about bravery in performing stand-up comedy. Referring to hecklers and “dying on stage” as examples. [21:30] AB describes relationship between stand-up comedy and the Coronavirus pandemic. [23:00] continuing the prior point, AB discusses way in which comedy continued during the pandemic. [25:30] AB story about a “bleak” night touring their comedy show. This story refers to the camaraderie idea introduced earlier. [29:00] Ab makes statement about bonding through shared experiences. [29:45] AB story about a gig in Hyde Park for the BBC’s “New Comedy award” that went badly. [36:30] AB talks about the “tropes” of comedians. Focus on the ‘tears of the clown’ idea. [38:10] AB discusses their ADHD diagnosis. Discovered during the pandemic whilst trying to author a book. [45:19] AB reads the ADHD definition from the DSM-V [diagnostic tool heavily used by doctors]. Further discussion on prejudices about ADHD. [47:25] continued discussion on ADHD. Discussion turns to genetic factors. [50:00] description of dopamine and its effect on neurodevelopment. [51:20] AB shows audience slides regarding misconceptions she has heard her regarding ADHD, refuting them with data. [56:50] AB talks about the “attention seeking” claim often levied at ADHD sufferers. [58:25] AB story about university, how academic attainment in higher education was hard for her and hospitalisations due to stress. [1:02:23] AB tackles the next misconception about ADHD: that everyone has it to some extent. [1:03:50] AB describes a situation in which an interlocuter called ADHD “fashionable.” [1:04:50] AB talks about positive responses to her ADHD. [1:06:00] AB discusses prevalence of ADHD amongst comedians. Goes on to list symptoms/effects of ADHD, linking back to comedy. [1:12:00] AB story about friend Phil who was diagnosed with a kidney Tumour [‘Phil’ refers to Phil Jerrod [PJ], a British comedian who passed away in 2021 at the age of 42]. The story concerns AB taking PJ to the hospital for radiotherapy during the pandemic. [1:18:00] anecdote about a hot water bottle related injury. [1:21:55] AB story about their marriage in 2021 and finding out that PJ had passed away the same day as the wedding. [1:24:36] AB anecdote about Jeremy Hardy [JH, British comedian, died of cancer in 2019 at age 57]. [1:26:00] AB reads a statement JH made that was read at a 2018 cancer fundraiser AB emceed for. [1:27:38] Intermission announced. [1:28:00] Recording Ends.
Track 2 [33:24] [00:00] After an intermission, OD reintroduces the lecture. AB returns to the stage. [00:40] Audience questions begin. Question one: Audience member asks if AB is deliberately wearing an outfit that Linda Smith once wore in a photoshoot. [01:47] Question two: Why are women better at hiding or masking ADHD? [05:40] Question three: Audience member asks for an interview with AB about neurodivergence. Question four [same audience member] AB is asked for advice for neurodivergent performers. [08:53] Question five: AB is asked if their ADHD diagnosis will affect future performance. [09:50] In answering the question, AB discusses abandoning the book they had been working on. [10:57] Question six: AB is asked if they can sing as well as JH. [11:30] Question seven: AB is asked whether they felt they were destined to be a performer. [13:13] Question Eight: Will the event be recorded? Audience member goes on to talk about autism and comedy. [14:43] Question nine: Audience member asks about AB connection to Catherine Mayer [British Author]. AB is also asked if they are performing in Canterbury. [16:00] An audience member called “Lin” from “funny Women” [a female comedy community in the UK] makes a statement about ADHD and how it became more prevalent during the pandemic. AB describes the pressure of isolation as a factor in raising awareness for ADHD. [18:37] Question ten: Has AB ever taken part in or can vouch for the efficacy of stand-up therapy? [20:20] OD interjects to bring up the idea of Stand-up as advocacy. Referring to stand-up classes offered to refugees. [22:00] Question eleven: Were performances in lockdown as gratifying as pre-lockdown? AB anecdote about hosting the ‘News Quiz’ [British radio show] while in lockdown compared to ‘Mock the Week’ [British comedy panel show]. [28:50] Question twelve: Ab is asked if they are ever distracted by a lack of audience response. [32:20] Question thirteen: AB is asked about their “boobs” [referring to an earlier anecdote about being hospitalised]. [32:44] OD closes the interview. [33:24] Recording Ends. |