Standup

Sarah Pierce

Trying to be a stand up ain't always easy. The nerves chiselling away at your insides; the audience that not only fails to laugh but seem to resents your very existence; the constant expectation for you to be funny. All. The. Time. (Come one - admit it, you were expecting at least one joke in this article by now, weren't you?) Bloody exhausting, all that. God only knows how any of us get through the first year.

Microphone

I first gave stand up a go when I was living in Australia and, surprisingly, didn't do too badly. So when I returned home, I was intrigued to find out about the comedy scene in my beloved Steel City.

To be fair, it's getting better. Huge kudos to The Caper Club, currently being held at Takapunas.
Not only do they attract some really big names (check out Sheffield's own Roger Monkhouse next month), they're also fantastic at giving younger stand ups support and the chance to hone their craft. This means that in the same night, the audience gets to see some exciting up-and-comers, together with some truly quality acts.

As an audience member though, it's always the new acts which excite  me the most. Can you imagine being at a small club in the late sixties watching a genius that no-one else 'gets', only to realise a few years later that he was Richard Pryor?

How can a comedy club discover the next Phil Nichol if they don't give new acts a chance?

Led by The Caper Club, I believe that Sheffield's now moving in the right direction, supporting local artists, taking more risks and putting on more and more quality nights. And I like to think that this includes 'Comedy Republik'.

About a year ago, I got a phone call from an American lady called Kisa, inviting me to join a comedy improvisation group. I'd never done 'improv' and wasn't 100% sure whether I could. But I'd always adored Whose Line is it Anyway and was intrigued.

During my first rehearsal, I was struck by the talent of each of the group's members: Kisa, Andy M and Andy F. And I realised that they'd actually made my insides hurt, I'd been laughing so much. 

Fast-forward a few months and the four of us were doing a regular night at a rather expensive wine bar in town - a bit of stand up, some sketches and some improv.

Later, we were joined by the incredibly talented writers and stand-ups Gareth and Simon and we've been the core Comedy Republik group ever since.

Moving to West Street Live was fantastic - cheaper drinks, a better stage. And when we started filling it, I knew we were doing something right. We're all proper stand ups now and it's been inspiring to watch each other develop so quickly.

But the improv (which is about half the night) is our speciality and the thing that 100% guarantees each night to be a success. Because the audience has so much input, it's actually their sense of humour which guides us -  do they want us to go silly, rude, political, celebrity.. ?

I'm always conscious of not forcing them to do anything they don't want to, though. God, I can't think of anything worse than minding my own business at a comedy night before being picked on by the 'comedian' on stage or dragged up on stage to join in a game.

And now that we've got a core group of people, comfortable with the set up of the night and experienced in putting on a good show, it's fantastic to be able to invite other comedians from across the country and right here in Sheffield to do a guest spot.

Well worth the nerves.

Comedy Republik are playing at West Street Live on the third Tuesday of every month, 8-11, £3 admission. Hope to see you there on the 17th of July and the 21st of August! For more information or to have a go yourself, contact me at sarah.pearce83@gmail.com


I-Witness at Peace in the Park 2007

Rock Climbing– START NOW

Tom Emery

Sheffield has become somewhat the home of UK climbing. Situated in close proximity to the Peak District and a central location in Northern England and North Wales, the city is a prime location for would be rock stars migration.

So what is climbing all about and why do so many people place so much emphasis on it in their lives? Well, for most it is an opportunity to escape from the rigours of rules and regulations and hang out amid nature and among friends whilst at the same time pursuing an activity that can push them as much as they desire to be pushed.

Climbing is more than just another outdoor-type sport. It is involving at every level both physically and mentally. Above all it really does bring you in to contact with nature. It is just you, the rock and the laws of physics. It's all down to how you use your body weight and your strength to overcome the shapes and geometries of a particular rock formation. Climbing is all inclusive- there is a challenge of equal proportion to be found for everyone- beginners right through to sponsored heroes. As with most things in life there is a definite mental aspect to proceedings.

Cringingly climbing is often dubbed as an "extreme" "adrenalin junkie" activity. Whilst it is fair to say that there is some pretty far out stuff climbing in essence is all about control. When you are in control you are in a very calm head space- a long way from the realms of adrenalin pumped nutters that may be portrayed.
Calm is the state that most climbers are in most of the time. Full-on battle mode tends to be reserved for the relatively safe environment that either bouldering or sports climbing provide.

These are two of the three main types of rock climbing. The difference between the two is comparable to the hundred metre sprint and the mile. Both are essentially running, yet one is anaerobic/explosive, short and intense, whilst the other is aerobic and more of an endurance affair.

Likewise bouldering and sports climbing. Bouldering is a low to the ground rope-free technical affair, whilst sports climbing is with rope and harnesses and over a longer distance. A third type of rock climbing is called traditional climbing and unlike its bolted equivalent (sports climbing) it requires the climber to place protection (metal wedges and camming devices) as he or she climbs. All three types are found in abundance in the Peak District. Lucky for those who live in Sheffield.

So why try climbing? Well as with all things this is the only way in which you can gauge whether you like it or not! Chances are that you will find out just what it is that brings so many to Sheffield to bask in the wealth of our rock faces.

To start with you will find you are utterly challenged with what you are faced with. You will finish up either "successful" or having "failed" to climb the line. Either still 'on' or 'off'. As such your brain will be thinking , "I can do that goddamn it! Give me another go!"or "My god that was nails, there is no way I am going to be defeated" or "that was easy- I want to try a harder climb" or " Bugger me, what the hell am I doing? I'm off to the pub to spend my time more productively!"

It is usually the case that if you're willing enough to try it in the first place, then you won't find yourself sat drinking the amber nectar and instead be on the first step towards a path to freedom, liberation and round the world travel.

Remember kids climbing is fun!

Hassle free places to start are at one of the city's four indoor climbing walls:

For good gear and sound advice on outdoor climbing visit the Planet Fear shop next to 'The Edge' on John Street or 'Outside Shop' in Hathersage. Cheap shoes and a limited range of equipment can be purchased at Decathalon at the bottom of The Moor.