Mark Porter was 29 when he agreed to be interviewed for Virginmirth, and living in Bolton, Lancashire. He had recently entered the Channel 4/Gilded Balloon "So You Think You're Funny?" competition and was shortly to take part in the Camberwell Arts Festival on the final night in Camberwell, London.

The first question is always pretty obvious! Mark - tell me - how did you start performing comedy and what keeps you doing it?

I went to the Leeds Festival last year and spent some time in the Comedy
Tent. Ed Byrne and Peter Kay were both brilliant and my fiancé, Sam, said
'You could do that.' Because my ego can sometimes get out of hand, I was
convinced she was right.

I had done a spot a few days before in a pub in Bury with a band and the
echo had been left on. The whole thing was a disaster because no-one could
hear a word. Since then, I have just enjoyed myself with it. I find the
whole process of writing, booking and performing very rewarding and I
haven't become jaded yet.

What part do you think promoters play in encouraging the growth of new
comedy? Is it enough to offer open spots, or is there more?

I don't think promoter's have a duty to do anything other than promote. The
onus is on the act to get off his or her arse and be willing to do any gig
they can secure. That said, it would be nice to occasionally see a
promoter encourage a new act by sharing a little of the cover charge. I
have done gigs were sixty or more people have each paid a fiver to get in
and been given nothing for my time. Just a fiver to cover the bus fare would
be nice. that isn't really a gripe. Anybody who is serious understands that
you work for nothing until your act is worth something.

Additionally, I think some promoters can be a bit distant. New acts
especially, often appreciate or expect feedback and if the promoter says
nothing, you can feel a little deflated.


What do you personally find is the best way for you to approach a
promoter?

I use the phone or e-mail. If I am in a different town and there is a
comedy night on somewhere I will go along and meet the promoter. I've even
done impromptu auditions! But it always helps to remember that these people are busy. If you shake a tree, three hundred open-mic level comics are
likely to fall out of it. 

I would never risk alienating a promoter by constantly harassing them. One call or e-mail and then leave it. If you're working hard then your name will often precede you anyway. 

If you are lucky enough to have contact with a good promoter who genuinely seems to care about the acts as well, as I am, then you will be surprised how
opportunities have a habit of finding you. I think a call is the best way.
You can get a feel for each other in a minute over the phone that an e-mail
can't provide.


And are there any kinds of clubs - or promoters - that you'd avoid?

I have a natural inclination to avoid working men's clubs because I used to
be a barman in one in my teens. I wouldn't do them now because they are
after the frilly shirted mother- in-law brigade. I can tell jokes in the pub
with the best of them but that isn't what stand-up is all about.

As far as avoiding promoters, I am willing to go to any club just about anywhere in the world if the logistics are possible. The more stage work you can get the better. Especially early on. It is also more important if you have a bad night at some point. The only way to start feeling a little more relaxed is to keep doing it. At this stage, I would not turn down the chance of a gig
anywhere unless I am just physically unable to get to the location.


So what impresses you most about a club you perform in?

I'm easily pleased. Does it have a nice curtain or a back-drop and a little
stage? If it does then I'm impressed. Anything that looks professional
makes me feel professional. The Frog and Bucket in Manchester is brilliant.
Stage, Frog and Bucket logo on the curtain and even a big screen. It
validates you as an act and tells the audience 'this is a comedy club, not
the works' canteen.'

I've also been in a couple of flea-pits but sometimes they can be the best
gigs. It just depends on my moods and how quickly I can establish some kind
of rapport with the audience.  I tend not to get too hung up on the way a
venue looks anyway.

The feel of the place is much more important. I've just been offered a spot
at the Comedy Cellar in Dublin and the venue is entirely acoustic. I can't
wait to go there and big part of the anticipation is because it offers an
entirely new experience for me of working without a mic.


How do you see yourself progressing in the comedy world?

There is no guarantee for anyone. I have a ton of ambition and I will work
my arse off to achieve my goals. I have an ambition to gig in every English
speaking country in the world. Outside of that I would be happy as hell to
sack off the 9-5 wage slave mentality and have an opportunity to travel at
the same time. I love the way that Joel Sanders has done things. 

Also, if you look at the circuit at the moment, you will see ambition in action. I don't think anyone out there is working as hard at the moment as Adam Bloom. He is everywhere you look and it seems pretty obvious that he is gearing himself up for the next level. I think there may be three or four Adam
Bloom's gigging around the UK at any one time. Just like Frank Sidebottom
in the old days. But if I can achieve a profile similar to Adam's then I
would be willing to work just as hard as he is doing. 

Success is a by-product of a lot of elements but ambition will never be enough on it's own. I think you need a thick skin, a short memory, a willingness to learn and a dogged determination to do what it takes. If you have these qualities, hopefully mixed with a modicum of talent, then I don't see any limits.


Finally, Mark - i

When you are around established acts, keep your mouth shut and listen.
Don't start telling them about this great ten minute monologue you have and
can't possibly fit into an open spot. Don't tell them about some dodgy
promoter or irate heckler in Gravesend. If you listen to established acts
and can pick the pepper from the fly-poo, then you will pick up some
priceless time saving advice.