Computers help us in every area of our lives and yet adoption
for the purposes of performance has been relatively slow. This is a
set of articles discussing comedy using computers, people who
currently use computers on stage and some responses to my questions
to them.
I'm a firm believer that computers can be a useful tool in
helping enrich and improve the performance experience. Partly this
is to encourage other comedians to take the plunge and take a
computer on stage.
Partly I'm doing this for my own selfish needs - I'm currently
going through a development cycle with version 2 of the Gig-A-Tron
system so I'm interested in other comedian's experiences with
computers and any tips they might have for taking a computer on
stage. This will shortly be updated to include a section on each
comedian I've had a response from about how they use their computer
on stage.
| Comedian |
Description |
| Tom Binns (aka
Ivan Brackenbury) |
Tom performs a DJ character act and uses his computer to play
sound bites and music. |
| Kurt Braunohler |
Not an act I'm familiar with - but I'm told he uses an iPad on
stage. |
| Dave Gorman |
One of the best known users of a computer on stage, Dave has
used computers for visual aids when telling stories in the past for
a number of shows (Googlewack Adventure, Are You Dave Gorman?,
Better World etc). |
| Owen Niblock (me) |
I take an AI comedian on stage which tells jokes and put-downs
from a database. |
| Dean Love |
Recently (May 2011) started using a computer on stage when
MCing his gig The Reckless Moment in Leamington. |
| Howard Read |
Howard performs with an animated sidekick (Little Howard) in
his Big Howard, Little Howard shows. |
| Terry Saunders |
Has previously used computers in his shows and is currently (I
believe) using an iPad on stage. |
| David
Trent |
David uses his computer to display videos and animation, using
repetition and rhythm to enhance the laughter. |
| Mark Watson |
Mark often uses a computer to type messages to the audience as
they come in to take their seats. |
If you know anyone using a computer on stage who isn't on
this list - please let me know (or point them in my direction). Contact details are
here.