The Liverpool comedy scene has produced some big names over the years and the latest one could quite easily be local lad Chris Cairns. He regularly makes audiences laugh up and down the country, having been on the comedy circuit for over 12 years, but he is best known in his hometown as being the weekly compere at the Slaughterhouse Comedy Club.
Winner of the Eric Morecombe comedian of the year in 2002 and voted comedian of the year at the Liverpool Echo Arts Awards in 2009, it is no surprise Toxteth born Chris is being classed as a comedian that can go straight to the top.
He’s devoted to running his comedy club, the Slaughterhouse. It can be hard to run a comedy club, but the Slaughterhouse is well known in Liverpool and has a high reputation, something that Chris is keen to spread with bit name acts. ‘‘We’ve got Alan Carr coming in one Friday night, but I’m not going to be telling anyone what date, it spoils the surprise. That’s what you need to be a successful comedy club, it has to be well run, well timed and timing is the key, you have to send the money on quality acts.’’
Not one to shy away from the crowd, Chris has taken his show to some of the UK’s biggest stadiums and playing to large audiences. “I supported Jo Brand and Julian Cleary on tour and that was nice to get a laugh from a big audience.’’ Out of all the venues that Chris has played in, there is one that stands out above the rest. “The Neptune Theatre because I remember walking out thinking wow, Bill Hicks and the Chuckle Brother have played here.’’
Being a comedian can have its downsides; you cannot please everyone with your act. “I remember I did a gig in Bristol, I just didn’t get a laugh and I literally died on stage. When it’s bad it’s awful.’’ It doesn’t happen a lot to Chris, as he is quite varied in his act, “I have a lot of material ready, to make it universal.’’ Then there is the odd heckle that can come your way, something that Chris finds the funny side of. “I quite like a good heckle. I mean there are some that you just have to let go but then I can also get them back. Heckling is meant to be funny.’’
The comedy circuit is very male dominated and male comedians Chris likes are Lee Mack and Shaun Lock to name a few, but he is also a fan of female comedian Sarah Millican. “She’s a good friend. There aren’t many female comedians probably because it’s seen as an immature profession, but we knew from the beginning she would go far. She is a very funny woman.’’
Away from comedy, there are plenty of thing Chris has planned. “I think I’d like to do more TV work, as it’s always good to raise your profile. I’d also like to do more panto. I was in one with John Bishop and I just loved it. At first it was terrifying but towards the end I was sad it was all over.’’
He is also helping in his local community, working for the comedy trust in help teaching kid’s comedy. This project is very rewarding for Chris and close to his heart, “its very satisfying to give children confidence. You see kids who come and are really shy at first but then they grown in confidence and become more positive and outgoing.’’
One thing can be said for Chris, his work in comedy has not gone unrecognised. Whether it is helping kids at the comedy trust or at his own Slaughterhouse, you can be sure he will be keeping us laughing for many years to come.
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