The very mention of Late 'n' Live is enough to send a chill down the spine of many a comedian.no matter how experienced or reputed. This legendary bear pit of a gig, kicking off at 1am, has welcomed many established comics onto its' stage. It is the best late night 'hang out' where anything can happen . and it probably will. Celebrity guests and local and international comedy favourites get up every night to tackle the rowdy crowd.and MANY fail.

I was told never to try doing Late 'n' Live as it was really difficult and could only bring your reputation down and not really help you. Nothing excites me more than a challenge like that! So 9 months after my first gig, on the final weekend of the fringe, my friend Stephen K Amos who was compereing the gig, agreed to sneak me on after the 1st act to do 5 mins. As a background, Stephen K Amos is a lovely man and a hilarious comedian. A week before this gig, there was a fire alarm at the Gilded Balloon where he had his hour show. He dragged his 200+ audience outside and while they were waiting, for a little while, on Stephen's request I entertained them in the open courtyard that is Bristo Square. Like a street performer with a circle around me, I just belted out jokes at the top of my lungs.

Now, back to Late 'n' Live. The organiser found out about our little deal and after much negotiation we agreed on the following - I would get 4 minutes plus 1 minute for every round of applause. The gig started and full house was rowdy and heaving.and the first act struggled. I was bumped down the order and the second act, a double act, also went on and struggled. The organiser apologised for not being able to put me on and said maybe next year. The third act was on stage and not exactly storming the gig.and the crowd hadn't got their money's worth on a weekend gig. After much convincing by Amos, who told the organiser Ged, 'This guy has jokes', he agreed to let me on after the last act. Rob Deering who would be playing in the band afterwards agreed that if I struggled he would do a few jokes before kicking off the music.

After the 3rd act, Amos introduced me and got me on stage. A true rock and roll stage it is and I was immediately engulfed by bright lights and the excitement and fear that only a first-timer on a rowdy Late 'n' Live would understand. Established comedians tremble at this gig and here I was 9 months after my first gig.closing the show on the final weekend! I threw out my first line and I got a round of applause! 'I'm in' I thought.and I have one extra minute! I ended up doing 10 minutes that night and didn't sleep till around 9am the following day.a definite peak in the fledgling career of young Papa CJ.

Papa CJ at the infamous Late 'n' Live.