Have you heard the one about the Plymouth nurse who became a comic? And how he’s now staging sell-out comedy nights in the city?
From being a full-time qualified nurse working with adults and young people with learning disabilities, to doing stand-up comedy under the unlikely name of Willtordian Ballorian Edwardian, the past five years have been something of a whirlwind for Will Skillington. You could say, it’s been a funny old time. As owner of ‘A Press of Suspects {presents}, he is the organiser and MC of many comedy events, including the hugely popular nights at Royal William Yard.
This unexpected turn of events all began when Will spotted a poster at the Bread & Roses pub in Ebrington Street. It was early 2018 and he’d only recently moved to Plymouth from his hometown, Bristol: “I saw this poster and it just caught my eye,” said Will. “It was gorgeous, so I took a closer look, and it was advertising a stand-up comedy open mic night. I’d never done comedy in my life before, but this poster drew me in. Who knew that five years down the line, I’d be running the very same open mic night!”
Will got into nursing after doing voluntary and then paid work with adults with learning disabilities in Bristol: “The voluntary work saved me in a way, that and having an unconditional loving family. I really do feel that. I’d had a mental health breakdown when I was in my late 20s, and coming out of this, I wanted to do something positive. With this voluntary work, I was being of service, it gave me a sense of self-worth and perspective, and I decided I wanted to continue this work professionally which led to becoming a qualified nurse. So it was a kind of therapy, which comedy also is, for the performer and for the audience. That feeling you get when a room of people are laughing, that shared experience is emotionally uplifting.”
Will was just completing his Learning Disability nursing training at the time he saw the poster, but that first open mic night lit a spark. He gradually did more and more comedy in his spare time. He also tried material at work with his patients, to help put a smile on their faces. Finally, he decided to switch careers completely: “Getting up and doing my comedy act, I felt at home, I felt I’d finally found my place.”
It can sometimes be a tough place though, if your gags go down like a lead balloon. But for Will, it’s all part of the learning curve: “I’m still working on my persona as Willtordian Ballorian Edwardian, trying to find my distinct voice. I’m a bit experimental and I’m not for everyone, there are ups and downs and that’s fine. I’m still learning this amazing craft of comedy, the process of writing, finding out what works and why. It’s a constant quest. But I love performing – I get to do my silly songs and it’s a chance for me to go into full child mode.”
He tries out his new sketches on his wife Jane, in their front room: “Jane has to put up with a lot! I try out new ideas on her all the time with VERY mixed results! My latest idea was a heavy metal song about losing the Dustbuster. She wasn’t that keen on it!’
Will hosts comedy nights and will provide a diverse mixture of new comedians and experienced comics of professional standard: “When I first came to Plymouth, there weren’t many comedy nights for people to go to, there was a void,” he said. “I’d set up A Press of Suspects in Bristol many years ago, to stage live music nights. So I thought ‘why not use that here, but with comedy?’
“The packed houses we’ve had is evidence that there is an appetite for comedy in Plymouth,” he added. “And it’s giving a platform to comedians and people who want to get started in comedy. Right now, there are some great new comics coming through, and for me to be able to facilitate that is very rewarding.”
The Wednesday comedy nights at the Royal William Yard’s Ocean Studios were being sold out, but with that venue no longer available, the events are now being staged at the Yard’s new venue, BLOCK, in The Melville Building. The first shows at BLOCK are on Friday 3 March and Saturday 4 March. “It’s a slightly smaller venue but we are now able to hold the events at weekends, and there’s a bar and a food outlet, so come along for a great night out.”
Will is in the process contacting organisations such as Hamoaze House, Trevi, Shekinah, and Project 35 at Plymouth Argyle, offering to do fundraising events with all profits going to the charity. He has also just set up ‘Stand Up For New Parents’, a mid-morning comedy show at the Soapbox Theatre in Devonport. Will explained: “I do miss nursing and support work, and I want to give something back to Plymouth. This city has given me everything, I adore it. It has given me the most happy, stable time of my life.”
For all events, booking and contact information, visit the A Press of Suspects linktr.ee page: https://linktr.ee/aposcomedy – There is a limited discount for the Saturday’s 4 March show – type EMAIL1 on checkout.
https://www.facebook.com/APOSCOMEDY
Written by Laura Joint Freelance Writer on behalf of One Plymouth
Show Photos by Dan Quadling – Studio 21, At home photo by Laura Joint
