It’s easy to look around and feel like the world is falling apart. A few minutes of scrolling through social media can quickly turn into “doom scrolling.” The news is full of crises; political, environmental, social – enough to make anyone feel like everything is unravelling. Yet, in the face of all that chaos, we still have to find a way to stay sane.
For me, comedy and laughter have always been a vital reminder of our shared humanity. It pulls us together, helping us process the absurdities. Comedy is often seen as a source of amusement, but it can also be a way of challenging the status quo. It can rebel against conventions, mock authority, and expose hypocrisy. Often in times of crisis, it’s been the comedians and the clowns, who are there, ready to make people laugh at what others are too afraid to confront. Laughter in the face of hardship is, in a small way, an act of defiance. It’s resilience. It’s a small but powerful protest, a refusal to be defeated by reality.
Laughter, in all its forms, breaks down walls. When we laugh together, whether at a joke or at the absurdity of a situation, we share a moment of human connection. Even when our beliefs differ, laughter reminds us of what we have in common. In those moments, we are all just human, experiencing the world together.
As both a performer and an avid comedy-goer, I see laughter as a brief but wonderful escape. For those few seconds, we stop worrying about rent, the headlines, or the political climate. We’re just present; alive, human, and connected. An opportunity to pause and remember that we are not alone.
In comedy, we often tread the fine line between what’s funny and what’s tragic. The most honest comedy, the kind that resonates, that makes us laugh until we cry, is often rooted in real pain, confusion, or frustration. Comedy thrives on truth. It doesn’t work without it. And when times are tough, people crave honesty. People want to hear someone articulate what they’re feeling, to make sense of the chaos in a way that is relatable and real. Comedy lets us know that we’re not crazy for feeling overwhelmed or uncertain. It helps us process the world.
Comedy is a way to help us make sense of the messiness of life. And maybe that’s why, when the world seems like it’s falling apart, laughter becomes more than just a distraction. It’s a reminder that, no matter how bad things get, we can still find joy, connection, and hope in the most unlikely places. So go see a show! – See mine or someone else’s, it doesn’t matter – just get yourself in a room with other people and feel that connection to humanity again.
Coral Bevan’s show Fisherman Jon:What’s on the End of My Rod? runs at the Puppet Theatre Barge until 22 November. Tickets here
