FOR most comedians, starting out can be a terrifying time.
But for Steve Day, who went deaf as a teenager, taking to the stage was an even more daunting prospect.
The funnyman, who is appearing at The Pack Horse Inn, Elbut Lane, Birtle, next week, has always enjoyed making people laugh and made the full-time plunge into stand-up 11 years ago.
The former systems analyst said: “I’ve always been a joker, though going deaf dented my confidence for a while. I used comedy and jokes to kind of re-assemble myself. It worked.”
Speaking of his first gigs 15 years ago, he said: “I was terrified, I think that’s why I didn’t start until relatively late in life — 35.
“It’s my one regret, in comedy, that I didn’t start sooner but I was afraid to talk to one person, let alone a room full of them expecting me to be funny.
“As soon as I started though it was a release, I realised I didn’t have to pay attention to what they said.
“In life I have to concentrate hard to work out what people are saying, normally the story they’re telling me is far less interesting than the one I think they’re telling.
“On stage I can just relax.”
The father-of-five, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, started to notice problems with his hearing at the age of 16 and it deteriorated over the next few years.
He said: There was no known reason for my deafness.
“It helps in being unique I suppose,” he said, “It helps to get gigs.
“On stage it’s a hindrance but I’ve learnt to cope and it does give me leeway to get away with a few cheeky things.
“In general comedy has helped me come to terms with it. I do some deaf jokes, but not exclusively.”
Performing gigs home and abroad, how do people react to him?
He said: “Well mostly good, but that’s because I’m funny.
“I think sometimes people are surprised, which is a good thing.
“Also the Paralympics has been a big help, firstly because people are a little bit more accepting of difference, but also because I got a lot of jokes out of it.”
Funtime Comedy Club @ The Pack Horse Inn, featuring headliner Steve Day and support from Chris Tavner, is on Tuesday.
Tickets cost £8 and include a hot buffet supper.
For more details or tickets: call David on 07763 226651.
