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.
"When the paramedics arrived and started giving me gas and put me on a stretcher I'm told the audience stopped laughing and started taking pictures, which I'd really like to see.
"It's not everyday you collapse like that on the stage, but I don't remember much about it.
"The audience finally knew I was not joking when the gas the ambulance guys gave me caused me to hyperventilate, making all my muscles tighten up.
"I got a standing ovation on my way out - or so I was told as I was completely spaced out by this stage.
"Maybe I should do all my acts lying on the floor in pain."
Source:
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/disp...layContent&sourceNode=86420&contentPK=6483444
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.
"When the paramedics arrived and started giving me gas and put me on a stretcher I'm told the audience stopped laughing and started taking pictures, which I'd really like to see.
"It's not everyday you collapse like that on the stage, but I don't remember much about it.
"The audience finally knew I was not joking when the gas the ambulance guys gave me caused me to hyperventilate, making all my muscles tighten up.
"I got a standing ovation on my way out - or so I was told as I was completely spaced out by this stage.
"Maybe I should do all my acts lying on the floor in pain."
Source:
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/disp...layContent&sourceNode=86420&contentPK=6483444