stewart
Stewart Lee is a famous comic from the UK. Very big in the 90’s, he’s slightly moved into his “old angry man” phase, but it suits him so fair enough.
I was booked by a charity to photograph their yearly comedy show which actually does pull some pretty big names. I mostly do it because it’s a chance to sit backstage with comics and just observe. A form of urban comedian safari basically. From this I’ve learnt that comedians are usually funnier when people aren’t watching them.
I came early as always, I like to be a fixture in the green room before they get in. Now, Stewart was the headliner on this show, but when he arrived he seemed down. I’m starting to think that this is any comedians default mood. He had family problems and airing them quite openly. At least enough for me to hear without trying. Sitting there on the sofa, he was just a sad figure. So with that in mind he decided to go on first and get it over with. I had asked the promoter the night before about portraits (You know, the real reason I’m here) and all the acts said yes, aside from Stewart. Kinda figures really. But he also didn’t want shots of him onstage either. Bit of a shame, but ok. I wasn’t too bothered. As he left the green room, he gave me a look and said if I needed some shots of him on stage that was ok. I smiled and nodded. Being a fixture seemed to have worked.
The crowd went wild when we walked on stage. They weren’t ready for him, but he came and put on a show which left the crowd in bits. When he was wrapping up, applause started before he even finished. By the time he had said thank you people were on their feet. As he turned to leave I saw it for the first time, a genuine smile on his face. Regardless of what was going on at home, the warmth of a crowd was enough in that moment. I just about caught it as he wheeled off stage past me.
Best of luck Stewart. People love you, you know?
