Comedy news: On The Road: Lager drinking in Luna Park with James Dowdeswell

Today was a good day. Hung out with Perth comedian Damo Clark, and my girlfriend Sarah Bennetto in the St Kilda sunshine. We’re here for the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

English comedian, Alex Horne has set a series of 12 tasks for a group of comics. Last month’s challenge was to tell the world that “Alex Horne is a magnificent man.”  He is. I proclaimed it on BRMB – a Birmingham radio station. This month we have to video ourselves downing a pint. I enlisted Damo as pacemaker and Sarah as cameraman.

We thought we would film in front of a Melbourne landmark, Luna Park - a Scooby Doo style theme park, with the oldest operating wooden roller coaster in the world. First we had to liberate pint glasses from a local pub, buy booze from an offlicence, stand in front of Luna Park, and whop them back before the Luna Park Rangers scold us for drinking in the street.

Damo downed his in a few seconds while I supped mine like an old lady sipping hot tea. I took so long the camera battery ran out.

Later on I found myself downing a pint on stage to the reassuring sounds of "Skull! Skull! Skull!" There’s nothing like a bit of pressure to get the job done.

I elected to do it at the end my solo show. Although my flat mate and fellow comedian, Yianni pointed out that downing a pint of beer on stage is not the best way to end a show about wine!

James Dowdeswell is performing his new solo show My Grandad Was A Clown And Those Are Big Shoes To Fill at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Trades Hall until 18th April. This summer, he will be performing at The Stand Comedy Club, Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 6-30th August at 3pm.

On The road is a regular series of features covering the lives of comedians away from the spotlight, If you want to contribute email tim@suchsmallportions.com and get in touch!