Paul Myrehaug was funny since the time he can remember, except in the morning, “I'm at my worst in the mornings.” However, he carries the comedy off with a natural flair, in a manner so effortless one might think it was ingrained in his DNA. “I was the class clown for sure, on every report card that came home to my parents it said, ‘Paul is a distraction to others',” he says gleefully.
Paul was in town for Bulchee Comedia Del Arte, the stand up comedy nights that have brought to the city a host of Indian and foreign acts to the stage.
The comedian started off by playing to houses in Camrose Alberta at the age of 18. He says, “I am 29 now and it sure feels like I have grown tremendously from my young start. I cringe when I look back at how I was as a performer 10 years ago and I'm glad there's no video tape of it!”
After getting recognised in the Prairies he calculated his move to Toronto. “It was a great step for me as I had the chance to be involved in a lot of high pressure gigs. Filming for The Comedy Network, CBC and CTV and eventually headlining the clubs in Canada's biggest market was a boost as a comic. I've only just moved to London so when I come back to Bangalore in a couple years I'll let you know how that has worked out. So far so good though, it's a wonderful scene in the UK,” he says.
Shooting for television is almost the same as doing a live show; Paul explains why. “The TV shoots for stand-up are always in front of live audience, the only difference is your nerves are through the roof as you know that that performance is locked in stone for a while if you happen to screw up.”
Paul writes his own jokes and while he has always struggled with the writing he believes his strength lies in performing.
“I have looked up to the guys that writing came easily to. Both are important but writing assures quality and it's all about your punchline, not the histrionics. The more punchline-heavy your act is the more chances you will have with the audience.”
There is enough international experience for him to ignore pressing issues such as the audience not getting his western Canadian style of delivery or blanking on some of the references he uses in the act, “but every time I walk into a new country it's always in the back of your head”.
A lot of his international experience comes from performing for troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, and before you can finish the question he continues, “Unreal! Troop tours are my favourite. The men and women are always up for the show and the experiences you have are once in a lifetime. Even just travelling to the gig is level 10 exciting as you are strapped into a Blackhawk helicopter wearing a bullet proof vest and helmet. So much fun!”
Paul did his homework before coming here, “From what I heard from the other guys who tour here I was expecting fun and since I am talking to you after my first show I can safely say it was a blast, I loved my first India show.”
