Submission 12

Comedian Bio

Mags McHugh does a bit Comedy. lower your expectations and you will not be disappointed. Aim to amuse or even see laughter. Has been on TV a bit and stuff. Mainly Ireland Edinburgh and England.

Story

Not the normal start to anything really… Following the terrorism in Paris in 2015, I was upset and angry like lots of people and hoped authorities would see, it’s a minority, they are extremists and have a reasoned response. They didn’t, women in France who wear their head or face covered were at risk of more abuse. Sadly, Aug 2016 on the TV news local police escorted Women in Burkinis off a beach. For wearing too many clothes. They were fined. Police had guns and the women were on a beach albeit in a lot more clothes than most. People shouted go home, one had a child with her who cried unsurprisingly. Would nuns be asked to do the same? I was feeling miffed/annoyed. Women had to fight for so much for rights and now this. I already use a wheelchair in my comedy. It’s a vehicle, I carry it up stairs to gigs or to basements. Challenging access and beliefs that people need fair treatment. I don’t need a chair but I like comfort. I like to be pushed around and I like people to come on a journey of seeing a woman in a chair, then a funny woman and finally realising she doesn’t need it and they see how the feel about me in a short time, It’s impactful and people share its powerful. For me it’s a heavy item and one that is carried a lot as so many places are inaccessible. The chair represents difference, the left out, the ones who can’t get in literally if you have mobility problems and people who struggle in social situations… Anyway, in Nottingham, I bought a burka as a burkini was very expensive and on stage a burka seemed more suitable. The gig was not on a beach after all. Then I reconsidered and got a niqab which was a bit less ‘full on’ . (Not covering my eyes and body) I wrote a set well new material. Some of my friends choose to wear the head covering, some do not. I asked advice and we imagined some fun, laughter even. So now written, I practiced, All New material 100 percent nylon as it was really nylon and blooming hot. I talked of being big no massive in Dubai as I won eyebrow competitions and had gone from number 1 to 17 in two years due to letting them go. I explained I’m just off a beach and didn’t know what to do keep it on , take it off as my main problem was not having a man to tell me what to do. I explained it was in Solidarity with French women on a beach. You get the gist. Its aim funny and I threw in physic reading which is a winner as I tell people stuff like: ‘You’re a perfectionist that’s right and the message is you will never ever be good enough’ So it all funny stuff making light/fun of fake Physics and the like. Its first outing was in Manchester. They got it. I was truly delighted. Much laughter and I came back to Nottingham thinking I had a show in the making. Add a hijab to my wheelchair stuff and could move mountains. Perhaps one made of camouflage even. All about blending in or not. Was I wrong? I call it my Silent Gig. Pin drop stuff. Back in Dublin I arrived in the Niqab on stage. I was booked. I did not storm the stage. Stunned, horrified shocked people who looked at each other and me in horror. If the heard anything I am unsure. I powered on 10 mins and small very nervous titter was the response. Oh god it was oh so bad. They considered me racist in Dublin. Good news I lost weight for sure. Perspiration was phenomenal. I got to see how difficult it is to see peripherally, mainly I remember hotness. You know its BAD BAD when other comedians say they missed it, were outside having a smoke when they don’t smoke. That night I cried laughing in bed at the whole thing, my optimism re a show me in a burka in a chair, My friend Ciaran phoned. How did go? He knew, everyone did as comedy is like that, failure is cherished. The word was out there. I told him and explained the faces in the crowd the loud silence and shock they wore. I had the best view. ‘Are you alright Mags’ he asked and ‘Yes I am’ I replied . For the next week he rang daily and checked was I Ok. I was. By day 6 of his asking I realised he might not be so I asked him are you really okay? I never had so many ‘You OK calls.’ Both of us reported being ok. He was he said but worried at my response to such failure. I asked him for a normal response, apparently a normal response is devastation, tears and the like. I realised at that moment. I was not devastated at all I was okay. Mum and Dad had both died in the last year so grieving them with no fixed home or normal job apart from some small part time lecturing. The last few years with Mum and Dad had been hard at times with some joyful bits too. That silent gig made me realise. My being okay does not rely on an audience laughing or getting what I do. I can’t give that power over to others. They may not get my intention at all. I tried the niqab again in Dublin and a similar response but not as silent. It may be in a show I’m writing for Edinburgh called Black sheep-acting normal. Will see. The chair is OK but the niqab may not be just yet in Dublin. Good new is I’m okay today. So is my friend.