Need a laugh? Let us introduce you to Scott Gibson, and his critically-lauded show Life After Death, which rolls into town this month.
Scott the Scot (from Glasgow, incidentally) tells the story of three weeks that change his life forever.
One summer he returned from his mate's stag weekend in Blackpool and his brain exploded - he had suffered a massive bran haemorrhage.
So what to do? He went back to bed and slept for four days.
This is a frankly hysterical show about overcoming insurmountable odds, and his Fringe debut has been a smash hit with critics and punters alike.
He's stage shared with the best of 'em too - Kevin Bridges and Frankie Boyle have both afforded him support slots, with Boyle declaring Scott as 'natural, gidted, an unapologetic storyteller.'
As he continues to clock up the mileage with Life After Death, he rocks up at The Stables on Saturday (May 20) and it's the big tour finale, so can we help him wrap up the stint in style?
Book your tickets here
Ahead of his arrival here in the new city, Scott got down to some Funny Business with Total MK...
When did you first think 'Comedy - that's the job for me’
I fell in love with comedy as a young man but took a long long time to finally admit that I wanted to try stand up. Then to find the courage to actually go and do it. I was lucky that after my first ever gig, I kept working and kept busy. I was getting paid work about 6 months in and it was probably a year after that where I was gigging a lot and making close to my day job from gigs. That’s when I knew I could do this as a “Job” and had to just take the leap and go for it.
Which comedian first piqued your interest, and why?
As a Glaswegian you grow up with Connolly and it is the only place to start with comedy. He is God, no discussion no questions asked. Because I think of myself as a storyteller, I think that the style of Connolly has stayed with me from a young age. The ability to spin a story, or to hold an audience for the length of time he did by simply talking was exceptional.
If you weren't working raising the smiles, what would you be working as?
I really have no idea to be honest. I was working for a call centre before I left to go in to comedy, so probably still stuck there. I was in charge of the company intranet - oh check me out - and Employee Engagement Officer. Which meant I had to try and keep the staff on the call floor happy, not an easy job.
What's the best heckle you've ever had?
I don’t really get heckled to be honest. Most of the time if someone does shout out it’s because they are drunk, or they feel part of the show. So you have to be very careful of who you speak to and who you go after. There is nothing worse in my opinion when a comic misjudges a “heckle” and goes too hard on an audience member and it changes the mood of the room. In saying that I have one or two who have tried to de-rail a set, it never ends well for them. Never.
Tell us about your worst gig so far
Worst gig so far, and I hope I never do a gig that beats this. Any gig that has kids in it for me is a nightmare, a horrible horrible situation. First one was a corporate booking for entertainment at a Football club. I’m brought in to do two sets to the two different hospitality rooms. First one I go expecting adults and one of the board members has his kids with him. I explain what I do isn’t for kids and that I can’t really do a clean set as that isn’t what I’m booked for and not what the rest of the room wants. So it’s this Director with his two kids vs 200 other guys. I start do my stuff and after about 6 or 7 minutes he just walks right past me dragging his kids out the room, he was not a happy man at all. I did try to warn him. Thankfully he wasn’t the finance director
...and the one which still send shivers for all the right reasons?
I have been very lucky to work with boy Kevin Bridges and Frankie Boyle. Getting the chance to gig with these guys has not only taught me a lot but given me the opportunity to gig in front of some amazing audiences. The ones that stand out are with Frankie and for the rooms he has let me play with him. The Kings Theatre in Glasgow was a memorable night and something I will never forget, it’s difficult to describe what 1800 people sound like as they laugh at your joke but it was an amazing night. The he asked me to support him at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow, 3,000 people and that again was an unbelievable experience. But I think the Kings still tops it, that’s been the best so far.
Are there any subjects which are off limits?
I think that there is nothing you can’t talk about on stage or in comedy, I really don’t. That’s not saying that everyone is able to talk about everything, but if you think you have the ability to take on a bigger or more difficult subject then yes go for it. There certainly isn’t anything that I would not talk about if I felt I could.
What can we expect from your date at The Stables?
I can’t wait to play the Stables. As soon as the date went in to the tour diary I was looking forward to coming down. What can people expect? Well, they can expect to laugh, maybe a cry, possibly a shriek in horror and hopefully they’ll go away knowing a little more about me and my story. It will be a great night.
We've got to finish with a joke, so over to you - but keep it family friendly...anyone could read this!
Aaaahhhhhh there is nothing worse than asking a comic to tell a joke haha. Sadly I am cursed with the gift of long form storytelling so sadly I do not have any short jokes I can tell you. But if you want a great laugh and to hear a great story then come along and see me at The Stables.
