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Donna Hope - Founder of Carluke Comedy Club
You know they say life has a path for you - I am pretty sure mines has been been drawn by a toddler who has picked up a crayon for the first time!
As life goes on I am learning that for every plan I make - the Universe appears to laugh out loud.
2025 - was identified by me as being my year of saying YES
Was hoping it was to a dress.....but that never happened after I got dumped abruptly after a 3 year relationship. Q my eyes leaking more than a Temu tent.
As I was flicking through Facebook trying to distract myself from heartbreak - up popped Ultra Comedy course facilitated by the fantastic Viv Gee. F@ck it I thought - what have I got to lose.
Turns out what I learnt to lose was EXACTLY what I should have let go of many years ago - self doubt and giving a toss what people think.
So off I trot to Glasgow once a week to hone a 5 minute set surrounded by some fantastic characters, some who have absolutely become friends for life. I stood on that stage after 8 weeks and let go of more baggage than a baggage handler at Glesgae Airport.
Did I set out to be a comedian - absolutely not. I set out to challenge myself and to show my son that you can do anything you put your mind to - even when times are tough. Do I identify as a comedian - I just identify as myself cause there is no one you can be better at being than yourself.
So I am now at the end of June and sad to have ended the journey. I did not want this journey of laughter and peer support to end so decided to start a wee local comedy club to provide open mic opportunities.
Start of July I am again flicking through Facebook and I see The Alchemist in Edinburgh is looking for an act to cover a 1 hour slot from 1st-17th August. Remember - this is my year of saying yes so before I know it our little group is planning our Fringe debut.
We had something like 34 quid in our kitty but why let something as small as money put me off - thats what credit cards are for!!
Somehow - again I have no idea how, I managed to pull together 17 shows, with 6-8 comedians performing each day. We welcomed visiting comedians from across the world including Australia, Dubai and even Englandshire! We adopted a wean from Derry. Max Roddy randomly popped a post on Facebook and I was the first to reply. He made his Fringe debut with us - but more than that we discovered we both have a passion for using comedy as a tool for healing. Not all therapies are prescribed!
Auld Andy Burke and I are travelling to Dublin to support Max in December and Max will join us in Glasgow to make his GICF debut alongside us.
I went from planning a show to a Fringe run in 4 weeks. How did I do it?
Determination, passion, hope and the unwavering support from a wonderful core group who going forward will become the Committee of Carluke Comedy Club as we take our next steps to become a constituted group and follow the rest of our dreams and vision.
We flyered ourselves every day and were delighted that by day 6/7 we were performing to full houses of 50/60 people. Our last 4 days were standing room only.
At the end of the run we had taken enough donations to cover everyone's travel expenses and pay off the visa bill for the flyers. This as a Club was our priority - and still remains priority. We believe no one should be out of pocket for giving their time - as time is the most valuable gift you can give.
For me The Fringe experience was something magical. To have been able to provide a platform for our little Club to perform was surreal. The support shown between our guys daily was heartwarming. And the unwavering support of 4 of them when the going got tough for me personally made my heart swell.
What does the future hold - who knows as I have no idea which curve ball the Universe is gonna throw at me next. Hopefully its a handsome man.
But seriously - If you get an opportunity grab it. And if you find people who share your values - hold onto them tight as they are like gold. As Margaret Mead once said
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Open heart, open mind, always hopeful