AN aspiring comedian says the confidence he gained performing with The Castle Players this summer, has helped him kick start plans for what he hopes will be a new career in comedy.
Edward Freeman has organised a fundraising night of live comedy he is calling An Evening of Madness where he will test drive his own improvised-based routine for the first time at The Mad Hatter’s Tea Room, on Horsemarket, in Barnard Castle, later this month.
The 28-year-old, who has a developmental co-ordination disorder and is autistic, was brought up in Cleatlam, but now lives in Durham, and has returned to the area to stage his first solo performance.
He said: “I’m really, really excited about performing and a bit scared as well. I know it’s going to be different without anyone else on stage, but it’s something I want to do. It might go badly, but I need to at least try.
“I want to show everyone just because you are disabled you are not barred from doing this sort of thing or from joining groups like The Castle Players or The Turrets.”
Mr Freeman was one of the supporting cast members in Alice in Wonderland and says without the Players’ help and support he wouldn’t have had the confidence to organise the comedy night, which will also be raising funds for Cancer Research UK.
He added: “I have family that have had cancer and I wanted to help support them and if we can raise money for the charity that would be great.”
He is a regular attendee at the Funny Way To Be Comedy nights at The Witham, and hopes to meet his comedy idol, Lost Voice Guy.
“I really love him, he is just so funny. I voted for him when he was on Britain’s Got Talent, but I didn’t managed to see him when he came to Barnard Castle as the nights sold out so quickly,” added Mr Freeman.
“I also like Jason Manford and Paul Foot as well.
“I’ve thought about doing comedy for some time, but being part of Alice [in Wonderland] this year has given me the confidence to do my own show.
“It’ll be the first time I am doing something outside of my comfort zone and I just hope it goes well, but if I don’t try, I won’t know. But I hope everyone will enjoy it.”
He adds his routine will have an improvised feel to it and wants to interact with the audience as much as possible.
However, he is also laying down the gauntlet for other aspiring comedians to try their hand if “they’re not too scared”.
The Evening of Madness takes place at The Mad Hatter’s Tea Room, in Barnard Castle, on Thursday, August 29.
Doors open at 6.45pm with the show starting at 7.30pm. Tickets for the event are limited.
They are priced £20, include a pie and pea supper and are available from the tea room.
