London Comedy Writers meet each fortnight to read through scripts and offer feedback. They use professional actors to bring scripts alive and have a range of writing experience in the group.
They also produce an annual stage show called ‘Sketchageddon Live’,and film sketches for their YouTube channel.
We caught up with the Chair of LCW, Robin Bailes, to ask him why you should consider joining:
London Comedy Writers has been going for 15 years – what do you put its success down to?
I think that we fill a need. Writing can be a very lonely profession and it’s good to have somewhere to go where there are others going through the same problems and disappointments – LCW is a social group as well as a useful tool. It’s also very difficult to get unbiased feedback (your mates and your Mum are always going to like what you write), we always try to offer honest but constructive feedback. That said, there are a few writing groups which offer both those things, what sets us apart, I think, is that; a) we’re free and we’re open to everyone from beginner to pro, and; b) the man who ran the group before me made a huge effort to make the group different, introducing the newsletter, our annual live show, and starting to film sketches. Because he set a pattern of us being more than just a feedback group, we’ve continued to push to be more, and we’re always looking for ways to improve the group.
What is your favourite success story from your time at LCW?
I like the little successes. A number of writers and performers have found partners through the group, and anyone who’s worked with a writing partner will know how hard it is to find that person who is on your wavelength.
Why should an aspiring comedy writer come along?
There’s a list of reasons on our website, but I think the main reason is: why not? It won’t be for everyone of course, but it’s open, friendly and free – why wouldn’t you at least give it a try? Worst case scenario: your hear some comedy, meet some people, have a drink, and never come back.
Is it important for writers to work together?
I don’t know that it’s important for writers to ‘work’ together exactly (personally I greatly prefer to write alone). But it’s very important that writers stick together, because it’s a tough career and being around others who get that takes some of the pressure off. Plus, you never know who will get that all-important break. If you’re part of group then you can support each other and share the opportunities. In the last month I’ve passed on two jobs, that didn’t suit me, to other writers from the group, and I’ve been the recipient in the past – what goes around comes around. Writing is largely a solo profession, but that doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself.
What is the single most important thing you’ve learnt about comedy writing from your time at LCW?
That you can learn as much from giving feedback is as from getting it. Working on a script day after day it’s easy to lose objectivity and fail to see the problems in your own writing. But sometimes, when you give feedback to someone else, you will realise that it also applies to you.
To visit the London Comedy Writers website click here.
