Jest For Men: A 6-week stand-up comedy course for aspiring funnymen
A stand-up comedy course designed to help men find their voice, build confidence, and perform their own material live on stage is coming to Exeter this spring.
Led by award-winning comedian and comedy educator Angie Belcher, the course offers aspiring comedians the chance to develop their own comedic style, learn the tools of stand-up, and write a short routine in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Jest For Men, hosted by Alright Mate? CIC, will take place at The Bootlegger, Exeter, across six Saturday sessions from 18th April to 23rd May, culminating in a live showcase as part of the Exeter Comedy Festival in June.
Running from 11am to 1pm each Saturday, the programme is open to men looking to try something new, meet new people, and have a go at performing stand-up comedy.
Over the six weeks, participants will explore how to turn everyday observations, experiences, and thoughts into funny material, and how to strengthen delivery through breath, voice, body language, and stagecraft. They will also receive tailored feedback on their material, along with practical techniques to manage nerves and feel more at ease on stage.
Alright Mate? is an award-winning arts organisation creating participatory projects that open up conversations around men’s mental health and use creative activities to improve wellbeing.
Angie Belcher is widely recognised for her pioneering work in comedy and comedy education. Her career spans stand-up, acting, performance, coaching, and training, and she has delivered workshops for major organisations as well as groundbreaking therapeutic comedy courses through the NHS.
She is Course Leader for Stand-Up Comedy on Circomedia’s BA in Contemporary Performing Arts, Writer in Residence for First Story, Associate Lecturer in Comedy Writing at the University of Worcester, and Comedian in Academic Residence at the University of Bristol. In 2022, she was awarded The Hague’s World Comedian of Emancipation, and in 2024 received a Gold HSJ Award for best mental health partnership with the NHS.
While the course is rooted in comedy, its benefits often reach far beyond the stage. Research has shown that laughter can help lower stress hormones, boost endorphins, and improve mood.
Jest For Men has been made possible thanks to funding from Devon Community Foundation, and Exeter City FC Supporters Trust.
For more information or to book a space visit: alrightmate.org
