Engleski B - 2024./25. probna - reading 3.

At 88, I often get ignored when I first walk into comedy clubs. People assume I'm in the wrong place and are shocked to find out l'm on the bill. It still happens, two decades or so after my first show.

l've always been a performer - a singer, actor, and musician - but all that came to an end after 9/11/2001. I've lived in New York since 1966 and we watched the twin towers fall. Afterwards, my cabaret bookings almost dried up because New Yorkers were too depressed for entertainment. I myself got bored, mainly because I wasn't in the spotlight. I wanted to bring more laughter into the world, and go back on stage, so I tried stand-up and, surprisingly, it worked.

In New York it's hard to break through. As I stepped on stage that first time, there was nervous laughter in the audience. They were clearly surprised to see me, wearing a cardigan and carrying my ukulele. I introduced myself, stated my age. There was silence and I tried my first joke. By the third line, people were properly laughing. I was in my element.

Now, I might be on stage for 10 minutes or my one-woman show is a full hour. To minimise my anxiety, I start with, "Hello, everybody. I'm 88 and three-quarters-of-a-year old. I'm telling you that in case I don't make it all the way through the show." Then people laugh and I relax.

After a show, people tell me what an inspiration I am. I'm pleased I can show that an older person doesn't need to take a back seat in life. My friends think l'm overdoing it. But you've got to take action, move towards the people, stay connected. Audiences have changed hugely in the past 20 years - what was funny then, isn't funny now.