Comedy and community at the Lord Roberts

So, what's happening?

For the last couple of years, I've been working with Nottingham Comedy Festival. Last year we started LOL-GBTQ+ from a conversation about how there wasn't a standalone LGBTQ+ venue to house these acts. We had a great chat with the Lord Roberts, a very well-established LGBT venue in the city, and devised this idea of how might we work together. Obviously, there's other LGBT acts across the Festival, but if we offered an LGBTQ+ venue, and just create, I won't say safe space, but a space for acts to come together. So, we did and had a really good run last year. Happy to say we’re back.

We've got amazing artists. Some national artists, Juliette Burton, Sian Davies, Craig Dealey and Cerys Bradley, but we've also got regional comics. We've got great drags. We wanted to create events that not only brings well established LGBT comedians and artists to the city, but also supports and nurtures homegrown talent. We’ve got Benthic Zone, of course, another incredible artist now based in Nottingham. We've got Ben Macpherson's Biprov. The only bisexual improv troupe based in Nottingham. We got the Queer Arts Collective showcase. A really nice mix of national, regional and local LGBTQ+ comedy and variety talent.

Why?

There's two 'whys.' Firstly, I've been doing this for 20 years now, scarily. My background is comedy and poetry, and when I started out there wasn't that kind of LGBTQ+ nights or spaces. We had The Crown. We had Curzons, but there's not that many venues in Derby in that respect. So, I've always been passionate about finding those spaces I didn't have when I was starting out. Passionate about creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ voices, regardless of whether they're brand new or well established.

The other more fun 'why' is, it's just a great festival. Actually, this is my ninth time, working with the Nottingham Comedy Festival. It's such a great atmosphere. And for regional artists this and Leicester are two wonderful keystones in the year. So, I know for a fact that for week in Nottingham, I'm going to see loads of people that I enjoy spending time with or seeing on stage.  

You mentioned safe spaces. Are these events targeted for the LGBTQ+ community, or are straight people welcome to come along?

Yeah. The term ‘safe space’ is fascinating. There's an organization I work with which uses the term ‘brave space’ rather than ‘safe space’, because no one can ever guarantee a space is 100% safe. Instead, they offer brave spaces that allow people to be themselves, and if there are any concerns, they feel brave enough to raise them with the venue.

How can I put this, they're not only for the gay community. And this is a conversation we had when we started. Does having all the acts in one place unintentionally sideline the work? And what we'd say is, like the Lord Roberts would say, our events are for everybody. The thing we're trying to accomplish is not to say, ‘Oh, these are only for our community’. Rather, if you want to see quality queer talent for this festival, you're going to find it here. If you want a drink before or after a quality show, you're going to find it here. If you’re looking for that representation that you can relate to, this is the place to come.

How easy was it to find funding for the festival?

(Dan laughs heartily for a while)

I made a joke there?

Obviously, the Nottingham Comedy Festival is fully-funded. But as producer and promoter of the LOL-GBTQ+ festival, it is my pocket, and that's absolutely fine. I'm always reminded of the famous producer’s line about ‘never put your own money into the show’. But no, I think it's important to do so. It allows me to book acts I like. But also (to be a fanboy for 30 seconds) Sian Davies is an amazing performer I met many years ago. Craig's another one, Juliette Burton, of course. The fact that they come to us and go, can we come and do your night? Please? Yeah, it’s brilliant. So it’s a labour of love. And I stress, it's not about the money. We aim to break even. You know, we are putting our own money into this because it's a passion and it's important to do so.

You're a comedian, poet, and now producer. Are you saying, ‘well, no one's going to do it for us. We're going to make our own opportunities’.

Good question. So yeah, I've always been a promoter, producer, comedian and poet, and I've been very lucky and very grateful to be given these opportunities. Not only for my own repertoire, but to create these spaces. It's not a case of saying ‘we've got to do this ourselves because other people won't’. It’s a case of saying, ‘I have the chance to do this, and I feel it's important to do it’. With my networks and skills, I was someone in the City who could create this space, and I'm very grateful to have that opportunity. 

Does the festival have any long-term goals?

Yeah, we'd like to think we'll do this every year. We obviously are at the Lord Roberts, but the great thing about the name is, we’re very keen to take it other places. Maybe there’ll be a Leicester Comedy Festival version or a Derby version or a Birmingham version. The great thing about having that name, even just for the second year, is if you see that logo, regardless where you are, you'll hopefully appreciate you've got a really good night coming.

Will you be performing yourself?

I am doing a spot. I am Outreach Coordinator for the Nottingham Queer Arts Collective, which I’m keen to support, because growing up, we hadn't got one. The fact there is a monthly Queer Arts Collective where members meet, socialize, network, hang out. It’s incredible. Like many organizations, we're facing financial challenges. That’s why I’m hosting and performing at the Queer Arts Collective fundraiser at the Lord Roberts on the Wednesday.

As yourself or in character?

I had a conversation a long time ago, with a dear friend of mine who said, ‘You clearly have a stage persona’. But I haven't got a stage person. I'm always myself. As with all performers, the Dan Webber poet, Dan Weber- whatever 

you want to call me- on stage, is a bit of a heightened version of myself. I haven't got a character, I'm always Dan Webber. The more I've done this, I do become very aware that the Dan Webber you see on stage is not quite the Dan Webber sat at home watching television with a cup of tea.

Is there a secret to your comedy?

That's a big question for Thursday morning. Goodness! It's the same with poetry, because although they're different art forms, the thing I love is 9 out of 10 times it's someone stood there in a spotlight with a microphone. And they're doing what they love. And I that's what I love about it. That rawness. I also love that you're never sure what you're going to get. But also with comedy, everything is on limits. Nothing’s off limits. Because as soon as something's off limits, everything is off limits. Obviously, we are not setting out to shock or offend. What I'm getting at is, you will find your tribe. The nature of comedy is having that platform to share what you want to share, hopefully in a humorous and informative way. It's about finding your tribe. Frankie Boyle is great example of someone who's not everyone's cup of tea. But if you don't like it, don't buy a ticket. Turn the telly off. There’s an element of, oh, I went to see Frankie Boyle, and I was offended. So why did you go?

So, in terms of what comedy is, it’s that freedom to stand on stage and talk about what you want to talk about, be funny, make comparisons, hopefully change and inform. I really like comedy and poetry as a way of encouraging people to think differently and change preconceptions, in a respectful and un-abrasive way.

You’re the host too?

I love hosting. This is a stolen line I learned a long time ago: the compere’s job is to be not quite as good as the rest of the acts. My job is to settle the audience in, get them clapping, but never take the room, because that's not what you're there for. 
This goes back to the safe space thing. What we're trying to achieve is that night where you feel able to come along, have a drink if you choose, and have a good time. With the LOL-GBTQ+ you're not going to get anything homophobic, transphobic, because we wouldn't book that. I think that's the difference with us. If you’re looking for spaces to meet other LGBTQ+ members, to see queer comics, we really encourage you to come along, because you're going to get it here. You're going to have a great night at the bar. The Lord Roberts is a great venue, a great environment, great atmosphere, and you'll see great comedy, if you are looking for community-led comedy.

Anything to add, Dan?

Just there’s lots going on outside of the festival. Nottingham Comedy Festival is two weeks of amazing comedy in the City. But it's not just for two weeks. Same with the Lord Roberts. There's great events all year round. Support them, first and foremost. Support the Lord Roberts. Support their regular events. And if you want to see more of what I'm doing, please let me know. 

The LOL-GBTQ+ at the Lord Roberts runs from Saturday November 2nd to Saturday November 9th 2024.