Edinburgh Fringe funnyman joins comics facing toughest audience at care home gig

Fresh from a sell-out stint at Edinburgh Fringe festival this summer, up and coming comedian Alex Farrow said yes to the challenge of joining five comics to tickle the funny bones of elderly people living with dementia in a care home.

Organised by carehome.co.uk, the comedy show at Gracewell of Newbury care home, saw a line-up of six comedians facing a tough crowd of 80-and 90-year-olds.

Stand-up comic Sam Michael, who organised the event for carehome.co.uk, said: "I really like the idea of taking a bit of Edinburgh Fringe comedy to places that would not get to experience live comedy. Everybody loves to laugh therefore stand up should be more accessible to everyone."

Those volunteering their time for carehome.co.uk’s fringe comedy show on 28 August, included fringe favourite Alex Farrow, as well as BBC Radio Oxford comedy show host Conor McReynolds, laughter yoga guru Ian Macdonald, writer and stand up Toni Kent, comedy circuit regular Sam Michael and Ed Pownall who claimed victory at the brutal comedy contest known as The Comedy Store’s Gong Show.

More than half of the residents at the luxury care home (which can accommodate 68 people) have dementia. Others are hard of hearing. Such facts ensured the comedians’ much-loved gags were up against their toughest audience yet.

Care worker Agata Francuz said of their audience: “Everyone has good days and bad days. Everyone is doing quite well today. Some residents asked staff ‘Why are we here?’ But I think it’s great to have these comedians.”

Earlier that day, the care home, run by Gracewell Healthcare and Sunrise Senior Living, was rated ‘good’ by Care Quality Commission inspectors in a report (published 28 August) but while staff knew what residents liked, the comics were busy finding their feet.

One comedian enthusiastically tried to do a card trick on a blind person before realising his error. Undeterred, Alex Farrow, the show’s compere, gamely stepped up to the mike to introduce the talent and sprinkle some of his own comedy gold.

When an audience member stood up to have a wander and a few needed help leaving the room, the comics had to think fast. After a momentarily pause, Mr Farrow called a care worker for assistance and even managed to throw in a funny line, by quipping about a “stage invasion”.

'Was it a tough gig? It’s not like my others!'

Used to turning people away each day from his own sell-out show in Edinburgh this year, the former school teacher had wowed Fringe fans by turning topics like A’Level philosophy into jokes accessible to all. He says of carehome.co.uk's comedy fringe event: “Was it a tough gig? It’s not like my others!

“But I thought it would be a lovely thing to do. My favourite jokes were always my grandmother’s jokes. I remember thinking I wonder if I can channel some of my grandmother’s sense of humour here.

"As a comedian, it’s so important to take on a variety of shows. I’ve done shows in museums, bars, even in a boat.”

The comedian who claimed the biggest laughs was stand-up comic Ian Macdonald. He also runs laughter yoga and ‘happiness’ classes and found himself using these techniques in the show.

While some with dementia may have struggled to follow the logic of a conventional joke, they could respond to the more physical comedy. Adults typically laugh just 17 times a day compared to children’s 300, research has shown and a good hearty laugh helps alleviate depression.

Instead of using traditional yoga exercises, laughter yoga sessions include clapping and a series of laughter exercises.

Mr Macdonald got the audience going by making residents copy his silly little giggles and big fat belly laughs. Clutching his stomach and rocking back and forward as he let out a roar of laughter, he soon got the crowd engaged in giggles.

His buffoon-like, physical tomfoolery won the audience over and even brought forth a heckler.

'Comedy is great for all, whatever age'

“It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this in a care home and I didn’t know I was going to do laughter yoga today but obviously there were hearing issues and words-based comedy I think was going to be trickier", said Ian Macdonald.

“My favourite heckle of the year, I think, was from the guy at the back who said: ‘You haven’t done anything!’ “I’m a comedian, I’m supposed to make you laugh. Of course you laughed!

“We came into their home and the goal was to make them laugh. That was my biggest goal and I think we did that.

“We know that singing, and even more, laughing is good for mental health, physical health, good for the communal experience, gets the endorphins flowing through the body, exercise for the lungs and the heart and boosts the immune system, so that’s got to be a good thing.

“Comedy is great for all at whatever age. If we can be part of that, brilliant.”

Care home manager Scott Lindfield said: "I thought the comedy afternoon was a great thing for the residents of Gracewell of Newbury!

"It offered something different and was wonderful that people were willing to give up their free time to come and perform.

On speaking with the residents after the event they told me they had a really good time!"

Sam Michael, a regular on the comedy circuit, got busy ducking and frantically leaping around in front of residents as he hilariously demonstrated how a large wasp ruined his attempts to socialise with strangers at a wedding.

He said: "I changed my material and made the comedy more physical with storytelling."

'I tried not to throw in any curse words today'

Conor McReynolds, who hosts a comedy show on BBC Radio Oxford every week, said he also made “a few little changes” to his comedy routine and kept his jokes ‘clean’.

“With a younger audience, you’re not as likely to shock or offend them. So I tried not to throw in any curse words today. My panda story was renamed ‘Panda’s lost his mind’ but is usually ‘Panda’s lost his S. H. I. T.’ I thought these guys wouldn’t enjoy that as much.”

While some audience members bowed their heads for a snooze, other residents got into the spirit of it. At one point, Conor told the audience: “I just had a look at your menu. You guys eat so well here! How’s the sticky toffee pudding, did any of you have that at lunchtime?

“Yes” responded one man.

“Was it good?” asked the comic, to which 92-year-old Dennis Amor replied “It was a bit of alright” triggering giggles and smiles among the residents.

Comedians Ed Pownall and Toni Kent completed the line up with a 10 minute set each. Toni Kent, who delievered a combination of stand-up and poetry, said: “I loved it".

"One thing I try to do is take comedy to places where you wouldn’t find it. I’m doing a set at a hospice in Reading in a couple of weeks’ time. I think comedy should be for everybody."

When asked to perform for carehome.co.uk’s comedy show, she said: “My husband said: ‘Are you sure you want to do it?’ I was like ‘Yeah, why not?’ ”

96-year-old Barbara: 'It made the afternoon fly!'

Care home resident Barbara Harris, aged 96, is a big fan of comedy, having saving up her money with her husband to see the likes of comics such as Tommy Cooper at the London Palladium.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen comedy for ages. I really enjoyed it”, she said.

“I’ve seen Morecombe and Wise perform.” Recalling the memory of that day and her late husband, she said: “I’d never seen my husband’s face with so many tears in his eyes.”

Barbara did have mixed reviews about some of the afternoon’s line up but summed up the show as “a wonderful idea." "It made the afternoon fly!”

Heckler Dennis Amor, aged 92, who let out many a dirty laugh during the show, said of the comedians: “They’re not bad at all. They can come back. “There should be more comedy shows. Anything what makes you laugh!”

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