Raw energy
‘I THOUGHT TRAGEDY HAD TO HAPPEN FOR YOU TO BE DEPRESSED'
Being crowned Scottish Comedian of the Year brings its own worries, but Mark Nelson tells Brian Donaldson about more pressing demons he has to face
ark Nelson‘s mouth has heen getting him in trouhle for quite some time now. Back in his day as a Dumfries schoolhoy. he was indulging in between—song hanter while appearing with local hand livac—(‘haitz named alter the vehicle which transports an immohile person from a burning huilding. if you didn‘t know yet needed to. "l‘he first laugh got me into hother hecause the rector was there and some things you apparently weren‘t meant to say.‘ The 26-year—old. who was crowned Scottish (‘omedian of the Year in a stand—
up shoot-out at the Old liruitmarket last September
has retained the ahility to shock as evidenced hy gags on the Amish massacre and celehrities moaning ahout heing victims of child ahuse. These might seem wilfully offensive were they not so wonderfully crafted.
Nelson has not heen immune to his own personal prohlems. Having left home for (ilasgow University to study Film and Television. he enjoyed the
academic and social whirl hut failed his second year
due to prohlems with depression. ‘I could just sense myself hecoming withdrawn at uni and from my friends. spending a lot of time in my room and I
realised that I had to do something ahout it.‘ After
confiding in his parents. he went to a doctor and was put on a course of fluoxetine (‘it‘s a lot more
fancy than Pro/.ac‘) and he has heen on and off
medication ever since. ‘I thought you had to have some tragedy happen to you to he depressed hut the doctor explained about my chemical imhalance and serotonin levels hut to he honest I think just
38 THE LIST 1:“, 20 Mai I/‘fllH'
knowing that I‘m taking them makes a difference.‘ Having decided that comedy was his destiny. he
joined the stand-up course run hy Viv (ice and alter ten weeks the graduates put on a show at the Buff
on (ilasgow‘s Bath Lane. The crowd were all connected to the course and so were naturally kind to the acts hut the audience for his next show was less of a pushover. ‘lt was in Irvine at this charity night for a team of disahled dancers. When we got to this massive church hall. there were little kids running ahout and grannies and granddads sitting there and a woman came tip to me and said l couldn‘t swear. So I did a non—swearing hit ahout dogs with asthma and it went down really well.‘
Before he knew it. it was early 2005 and Nelson was performing at the Stand‘s Red Raw nights and taking any other slots on offer. This included an appearance in the comedy tent at last year‘s 'l' in the Park at two hours notice. hopping on stage slightly the worse for wear and linishing his set quickly so he could head off to see the Arctic Monkeys.
Nelson is simultaneously developing a remarkath accomplished stage presence as he strolls around. confidently leaning over to sip his (iuinness while basking in each welcomed punchline. and writing some fresh material ahout well—worn suhjects. whether it‘s sex. neds. ginger hair or lKliA. The Red Raw showcases are olten filled hy aspirant comics full of rancorous filth and decrepit fury. Mark Nelson possesses a talent that is simply ohscene.
Blackfriars, Glasgow, Sat 24 Mar
Mark Watson Your last ever chance to see the superb l'm Worried That I'm Starting to Hate Almost Everyone in the World. inspired by the time the Bristolian was mugged by a young hoodlum type. The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 75 Mar.
Wil Hodgson The Care Bear-lovin‘ ex—wrestler brings us more musings with Holiday Special. an obviously. brilliantly ironic title. The Universal, Glasgow, Thu 7 5 Mar: Henry’s Cellar Bar, Edinburgh, Wed 28 Mar.
Sarah Kendall The jovial one minute. downbeat the next Aussie completes this amazing Thursday way out west. The Stand. Glasgow, Thu 75 Mar.
Sean Hughes See feature. page 14. ABC. Glasgow. Fri 76 Mar.
Andrew Maxwell In a busy field of blarney busters. this one has got the lot. The Old Fruitmarket. Glasgow, Fri 76 Mar.
Alan Carr You‘ll have seen him on The Friday Night Project. Now check out the stuff that got him there in the first place. King Theatre, Glasgow. Sat 7 7 Mar.
Doug Stanhope Just to show that Edinburgh shall not be ignored, the Presidential candidate brings us his only UK date for 2007. You lucky sods. The Caves, Edinburgh. Tue 20 Mar.
Chris Addison The posh chap with the intelligent wit gets stuck into the thick of the festival. Tron Theatre. Glasgow, Fri 23 Mar.
Jimmy Carr Another plummy type but with a tongue sharper than a mongoose's fingernails. And that's sharp. I can tell you. SECC. Glasgow, Sat 24 <3 Sun 25 Mar.
Phil Nichol See preview. page 39. ABC. Glasgow, Sat 24 Mar; the Stand. Edinburgh. Sun 25 Mar.
Mark Nelson See preview, left. Blackfriars, Glasgow, Sat 24 Mar.