Stand-up comic brings new meaning to 'break a leg', hilarity ensues.

[Wonk]

FUNNY BONE
11:00 - 24 July 2003
By CHRIS ALLEN

COMEDIAN Mark Olver brought a whole new meaning to the phrase 'Break a Leg' when he took to the stage in a Bristol comedy club.

Within just 15 seconds of taking hold of the mic at Jesters, in Cheltenham Road, his left knee gave way and, as he collapsed in a heap, he broke his ankle.

The audience thought it was all part of the act.

The 28-year-old, who has been a stand-up comic in Bristol for four years, continued telling jokes as he lay on the floor unable to move and lapsing in and out of consciousness with the pain from his dislocated knee.

It was only when paramedics arrived on the scene about 20 minutes later that the audience began to realise the fall hadn't been planned as part of the performance.

Mark, who lives in Brislington, said: "I was in a lot of pain, but managed to do about 15 minutes of material while on the floor, passing out every now and then because of the pain, and then coming round to do the punchline.

"I could tell no one believed that I'd really hurt myself, and although it really hurt at the time I can laugh about it now.

more...

[jono]

1. Yikes!

This guy gives new meaning to the old cliche, "The show must go on."

On edit: The audience didn't notice that he was drifting in and out of consciousness? HELLO?!

[Exultant Democracy]

2. Thats almost to funny to be true

I bet there are a lot of comics kicking themselves because they dind't think of the ol' real broken leg trick first.

[PittPoliSci]

3. oh christ...

how dramatic...

i broke my ankle in january, combined with a torn ligament. I managed to get up and WALK to the first aid station which was a quarter of a mile away (i was at school).

given i was in a cast for the next 8 weeks, but hell, you do what you gotta do.

[mitchum]

4. God, I hate prop comics

[DS1]

5. passing out from a dislocated knee? pansy