03/04/2026
ONE PINT MINIMUM WAGE! OFFICIAL JAY SOMA BLOG.
Welcome to the new monthly blog of Jay Soma which will give you an insight into the world of a middle aged man trying to make it in the world of comedy, when time permits…he has the time…
I used to enjoy reading a blog by a local comedian and promoter, he’d talk about gigs, who had performed well that he’d seen, and discuss logistics of trying to make it. He told me he had stopped the blog so I figured I might step in and chronicle 2026, as I am trying to up my game this year, improve my sets, perform more gigs, book and promote my own shows, run at less of a financial loss, but continue to get a buzz out of performing and bring laughter to the thousands, well hundreds of those who see me perform.
My aim this year was to do at least 3 gigs a month and not take a break, as last year I took 2 months off to recharge my batteries following a couple of disappointing gigs. So far 2026 is on track. The last few weeks have seen a couple of gigs in Totton, Arundel and a village called Winkton and my first ever gig in Dorchester.
With a competition in early March I booked in to do the open mic night at Totton a few days before it. I’ve done a few of these over the years, but the crowd can vary, sometimes, as was the case on this occasion, the number of comedians outnumbers the crowd. I’d done the night near the end of 2025 which had gone well, at that one I had reused some material about Covid from my early days and included newer stuff about operation raise the colours. It went really well. On this occasion I did the first half my usual 10 mins routine which I planned to use in the competition a few days later. It was hard to tell if it went well, many of the acts that saw me do it know my material very well. This comp would be my 4th attempt at an Attic based one, I’ve tried various things in the past, but all I have learned is that I hate going on early in the comps, dislike 5 mins routines, and hate trying to find friends to come along to see me fail to go through! This time I was on third, the stuff got a luke warm response and I only had one friend make it to support me as three bailed at the last minute! I should point out it was 2.30 on a Saturday afternoon which was odd! No surprise I didn’t go through. In the following week I dusted myself off and got a 10 mins spot not too far away at Winkton. I was on fairly late in the order which I find works well with my humour as people are a few pints in and less inhibited at laughing at some jokes that may highlight the absurdity of modern progressive attitudes. It was one of my best gigs in my short career, the crowd laughed at pretty much everything, I captured it on video, and I’m glad the promoter saw me smash it and probably get the most laughs out of the last 6 gigs. My last gig of the month of March was my first ever gig in the county town of Dorchester. Decided to get the train as I had already done a few miles that day in the car and a warning light had come on! Gig was in a small micropub, was sold out and a great atmosphere. Again I was on near the end so people had consumed a few drinks, and I think it went really well, not quite as well as Winkton, but got a lot of laughs. Had to run for my train straight afterwards though to try and catch it and of course it was delayed by 10 mins! Found out afterwards I got two reviews on Joke Pit from the gig, and now average 4 stars!
April should be an interesting month, going to try some new stuff at gigs in Southampton and Christchurch, and then at the end of a month my first foray into running a show, Somat Funny has put forward a lineup of southern comedians for a fundraiser show in Poole, sold 55 tickets so far which is great. Until next time, keep laughing!
