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Marie McLaren, at 88 years old, has recently embarked on an unexpected journey into the world of stand-up comedy. Joining a comedy class in Glasgow tailored for those over 50, she has spent the past month learning the craft under the guidance of professional comedian Viv Gee. The course culminates in live performances at The Social Hub Glasgow, where Marie and her fellow participants will showcase their newly acquired skills.
Marie, originally from East Kilbride, was encouraged to join the class by her daughter. She explains her enthusiasm for humor, stating, “I’ve always liked jokes and laughs and make a joke out of anything.” For her, comedy is a way of celebrating life rather than dwelling on complaints. She acknowledges a common stereotype about older comedians, mentioning, “The danger of doing comedy as an older person is that people might think you have lost it,” but confidently adds, “age is only a number.”
Among her classmates is Ronnie Bergman, a 74-year-old retired journalism lecturer. He appreciates the chance to break away from routine and step outside his comfort zone through comedy, despite struggling with self-consciousness about his voice and photos. Ronnie values the wisdom that comes with age, noting that as an older comedian, he has “heard a lot more jokes.” Drawing inspiration from comedy legend Billy Connolly, he remarks, “He’s an older comedian and he’s still funny.”
Another participant, 70-year-old Christine MacCormack, highlights how her generational perspective informs her comedy. She says, “We look at life differently because we born in a different time,” and embraces the opportunity with enthusiasm, stating, “I’m just living my best life and I just want to enjoy the experience and my five minutes in the spotlight.” These sentiments reflect the spirit of the group as they prepare for their debut show titled The Old Ones are the Best, presented in partnership with Age Scotland. Their material draws on a broad range of life experiences, from health and family dynamics to observations about younger generations—delivering humor far beyond typical “granddad jokes.
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