Stand-up comedy can best be described as a comic style where a comedian speaks in front of a live audience. A person who does stand-up comedy is known as a comic, stand-up comic, stand-up comedian or simply a stand-up. In this style, the comic usually relates a set of humorous stories, jokes and one-liners typically called a monologue, routine or act. Some comics may also use props, music or magic tricks to “enhance” their acts.
Stand-up comedy is often performed in comedy clubs, bars and pubs, nightclubs, colleges and theatres. In fact, these are the places where a lot of the popular stand-up comics that we watch on Youtube, got their foot in the door. The world of comedy has seen some great talent evolve thanks to places like these.
Las Viegas Comedy and Music Cafe
It’s a comic style that is fast gaining popularity here in Goa, thanks to the efforts of a hardworking few that are doing their best to improve stand-up comedy in the state.
That’s where Warren Viegas, the founder of Las Viegas Comedy Club, with his dream of creating this space, comes in. Known as ‘LVC Comedy and Music Cafe’ it will churn out laughter and groom comedy talent from January 21.
Goa’s got a ton of talent when it comes to stand-up comedians. Unfortunately, there’s never been a fixed space where they can showcase their talents. Warren Viegas has the same opinion and working on this same thought, he developed the comedy room. “In Goa, if you see there are various places designated for various art forms like Kala Academy, Ravindra Bhavan where people can showcase their talent of dance, music and drama. Also, in Bombay, there are several comedy and poetry rooms. But in Goa that was missing. There wasn’t a fixed room for stand-up comedians. To make a space available for comedians and comedy lovers to enjoy themselves I thought of starting this comedy room,” says Warren.
Image credit – Warren Viegas
The Room
The entire point of doing this is two-fold. People can not only come to perform but they can also be there for a relaxing evening and unwind with drinks, snacks and listen to some music. The room is currently being constructed. The plan is to accommodate approximately 70 – 80 people and should there be ticketed shows, then the capacity can be extended to seat 200 pax.
The entire point of doing this is two-fold. People can not only come to perform but they can also be there for a relaxing evening and unwind with drinks, snacks and listen to some music. The room is currently being constructed. The plan is to accommodate approximately 70 – 80 people and should there be ticketed shows, then the capacity can be extended to seat 200 pax.
So far every Monday is designated for a ‘weekly open mic’ night. Thursday is for the local amateur musicians to perform if they fancy it. Sundays will see ticketed stand-up shows not just showcasing locals but comedians from other places as well.
The comedy scene in Goa
The comedy scene in Goa is growing really fast. Warren says, “We had around 18 shows in Goa and we realised that there were more than 15 to 20 stand-up comedians who were good but not getting the required exposure. So, that’s how the room will serve the purpose.”
One thing’s for sure. Now that we won’t have to travel to the big city for such shows, we can definitely look forward to seeing more and more greats acts right here in Goa. We’ve already seen Vir Das, Atul Khatri, Nishant Tanwar and even Goa’s very on Succorine Bai and Daniel Fernandes among so many others. So bring on the greats because we’re ready and waiting to laugh, chortle, snort, giggle (whatever the sound, we’ll make it) our heads off!
