Stir Q&A: Comedian Alannah Brittany joins Laughter From the Frontlines
The comic draws on her experiences in health care during COVID-19 for a virtual show by the Black-owned Unknown Comedy Club
Vancouver stand-up comedian Alannah Brittany can tell you why the morgue is next to the kitchen in most hospitals.
The Unknown Comedy Club presents Laughter From The Frontlines on August 27 at 8 pm PDT online.
AFTER THE INAUGURAL Laughter From the Frontlines comedy show this past summer proved to be just what pandemic-weary Canadians needed, the Unknown Comedy Club is hosting a second edition.
The August 27 virtual event features comedians who also happen to work in health care from across the country. They’ll be sharing their experiences of the being inside hospitals and clinical settings throughout COVID-19.
The Unknown Comedy Club is a Black-owned online comedy club founded by Rodney Ramsey and Daniel Woodrow by way of Toronto and Montreal.
Hosted by Scott Faulconbridge, Laughter From the Frontlines features registered nurse Zabrina Douglas from Toronto; long term-care staffer Durham Laporte from Halifax; Edmonton-based registered nurse Siobhan Theobald; Winnipeg occupational therapist Sofia Salsi, personal-support worker Caroline DG from Toronto; and Alannah Brittany.
Brittany has performed at Just for Laughs Northwest, SiriusXM Top Comic, and Comedy Here Often? Fast-tracked by Yuk Yuks comedy as a rising star, she can be seen on Apple TV’s Green Channel and the upcoming JFL originals album.
Stir caught up with Brittany to hear more.
Which came first: stand-up comedy or health care?
They actually sort of started at the same time; I was always a performer—acting and sketch comedy—and decided the summer before starting to my graduate program that I would finally give in and try stand-up, fully assuming I would be horrible and hate it! But it turns out it was where I was always meant to be. Then when I started grad school I didn’t have a ton of time to devote to stand-up. It wasn’t until I graduated and started working regular hours—no more all-night library cram sessions and labs!—that I was able to dive into comedy with more intensity.
There's obviously nothing funny about COVID-19, but how has this health crisis influenced your comedy material, your work experience, and your outlook on life?
I try to keep my topics light and like to make jokes that are relatable to a shared experience. This pandemic has a lot of common ground. Whether it is cancelled weddings or the things we miss about the good old days of not covering a cough on the bus, we are all in this together, so how better to commiserate than with laughter? Here’s something you might like… Did you know that in most hospitals the morgue is right next to the kitchen? You know why? Refrigeration.
At work we have always had pretty stellar commitment to infection control and the prevention of spreading illness, so the only difference is now the whole world knows what PPE is.
Working in health care during a pandemic has really helped me see where I take things too seriously. Sometimes it takes seeing death all around you to help you live with a little more joy while you can.
How does comedy help you cope with stress, whether it's related to your job amid COVID-19 or other areas of your life?
Comedy, for me, has always been first and foremost about having fun and making people laugh. I love seeing other comics on stage at the shows. It isn’t an escape so much as a way to laugh at the world outside of the comedy club. Comedy doesn’t get rid of the crap, but it does make it seem smaller and laughable.
If you could see any comedian in the world tomorrow, who would it be and why?
I think my favourite show I ever saw was Gary Gulman. It was like watching a masterpiece come to life. Super magical. I would wish I could relive that moment again!
How would you describe your act using three song titles?
“Brick house” by the Commodores.
“Spice up your Life”, the Spice Girls.
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper.
For more information about Laughter From the Frontlines, see the Unknown Comedy Club.
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