Last Tuesday, I delivered two talks: a brand new quiz for Bournemouth Central Probus followed by Life as a Freelance Comedy Writer for a large group of retired Marks and Spencer staff in Southampton.

Bournemouth Central Probus Club

On Tuesday 6 November, I was the speaker at the Bournemouth Central Probus Club. This was my fourth visit, but the first time I had ever been booked for one of their Coffee Mornings. It was also the 'première' of my new Great Comedy Quiz.

I was sorry to learn that the Speaker Secretary who had booked me, Frank Marsh, had passed away. You meet some memorable characters at speaking engagements and he was someone I had enjoyed speaking to at previous bookings.

There were about 45 people at the Belvedere Hotel (including members' wives) and I think they were used to talks rather than quizzes at this type of meeting but fortunately this new title combines both as I deliver anecdotes about the comics or shows revealed to be the correct answers (it makes it seem less like an exam!) As well as preparing the material, I had also taken paper and even spare pens for the contestants. Most played in pairs and there were a lot of laughs, one of the best being an ad lib from one lady when I asked for the name of the Marx Brother who didn't appear in their movies. I said 'You're coming up with all manner of names with an 'o' on the end aren't you?' and she suggested 'Dunno!'

Brilliant!

Public Speaking tip #68: Audience participation can be great fun, especially quizzes, provided the questions are not too hard - or too easy. The interaction often provides a great deal of humour over and above the speaker/quizmaster's prepared material and helps to make the occasion even more memorable.

When the quiz section had ended, I told some of the stories I hadn't used in my previous talks for them and got a barnstorming reception, ending with the quotation I mentioned in my last posting - only this time I remembered it without any problems!

After a chat with another of this club's members who I always enjoy meeting, a retired detective, I made my way to the station to travel to Southampton for the other talk that day. The announcements on the Virgin train were a lot more cheerful this time, in fact, rather giggly, but that was much preferable to my previous journey.

Southampton Forever Friends
There were about 80 at this club, mostly women, and they were all waiting patiently for me when I finally found a way into the building!. The talk went brilliantly and as I was signing off and giving my booklet a last mention, I told them that it included a story I hadn't had time to include in the talk, an anecdote about what happened to me once when I was speaking at a nearby hotel (now demolished). The audience were disappointed at the thought of not hearing it so, despite having already filled the allotted time, I was allowed to add this tale and it went extremely well, in fact, I can't ever remember getting such prolonged applause. Booklet sales were excellent afterwards and I think they will be booking me to speak again in this very pleasant venue (the Masonic Hall). Oh yes, and I got that quotation right again!

Public Speaking Tip #69: You should stick to your allotted time but you will often find when your presentation goes really well, especially if it's humorous, that organisers and audiences are happy for you to do a few minutes more. It's best to ask if this is ok once you have spoken for the agreed time.