Moving Home for Comedy Brought Opportunity—and Trade-Offs

Before London, Minkova performed in Berlin, where the smaller comedy scene made it easier to get stage time. Travel to shows usually took about half an hour each way, and she could often book longer sets, leave after performing or stay to socialize. Supporting new acts on main stages, including Cosmic Comedy, was also common. London offered a stronger connection to the entertainment industry, but gigs were more spread out: some performance trips now take up to five hours in total. Competition and the work of arranging spots also cut into time she once spent writing.

Living with her parents has changed how she handles the rougher parts of the job. Stand-up involves failed jokes, rejection and unpaid performances for small audiences, Minkova wrote. Her family worries about her, and she says it is harder to hide disappointment after a bad set or rejection email when they are nearby. She also found less privacy in her personal life: although she has felt comfortable going on dates, bringing someone home is another matter. Friends mostly live elsewhere, and social gatherings have become less frequent. Minkova says she came to recognize that a full private life can help feed her writing.

The arrangement also gave her a rent-free stretch in which to invest in improv and writing classes and her first full split bill at the Edinburgh Fringe. She has begun performing at London clubs that support new acts, but is now looking for a stable day job so she can move out, ideally to somewhere closer to the city’s comedy scene, and continue performing. In retrospect, she says Berlin gave her more stage time than she appreciated. Next time, she would be more patient rather than rushing back home.