Comedians pick on me for my loud laugh – but nothing will make me stop | Jane Howard

Writer Jane Howard recently addressed the social repercussions of her uninhibited, loud laughter during live comedy performances in Australia ahead of the upcoming comedy festival season. Howard detailed how her vocal reactions have frequently made her a target for crowd work by prominent comedians, most notably Daniel Kitson, who once threatened to remove her from a show for laughing too readily at non-jokes. This reflection comes as Howard prepares for the upcoming circuit of festivals, where the intimate nature of comedy venues often turns her natural expressions of joy into a source of public embarrassment and performer scrutiny. The tension between an audience member's authentic response and a performer’s control of the room creates a unique psychological challenge. Howard describes the physical and emotional strain of attempting to suppress her laughter to avoid being singled out by comedians on stage. Despite being chastised by professionals who feel her volume disrupts the timing of their sets, she argues that her laughter is an involuntary and sincere reaction to the art form. This phenomenon highlights the unspoken rules of the comedy club environment, where being 'too good' of an audience member can paradoxically lead to conflict with the entertainer. Ultimately, Howard has decided to stop apologizing for the volume of her mirth, framing it as a vital part of her identity and engagement with the arts. While comedians like Kitson may view loud laughter as a distraction or a challenge to their authority over the room, Howard views it as a necessary release of emotion. As the festival season begins, she intends to embrace her boisterous reaction rather than stifling it, asserting that the joy found in live comedy should not be restricted by the fear of being mocked from the microphone.