Hannah Byczkowski: ‘The Traitors helped me become a better comedian’

Hannah Byczkowski: ‘The Traitors helped me become a better comedian’

From Palliative Care to the Spotlight

Hannah Byczkowski’s journey into standup comedy began as a career pivot rather than a sudden decision. After spending years in the palliative care field, she found herself at a crossroads, her professional life centered around comforting patients in their final moments. “I had a bit of a midlife crisis,” she explains. “I was being with people while they were dying, and I kind of lost all sensitivity for it.” This gradual desensitization to the emotional weight of her work prompted her to seek something new, something creative that could reignite her passion. While she had always harbored a desire to express herself through humor, the path wasn’t immediately clear. Her experimentation with writing a book was a step in that direction, but it was the leap into standup that ultimately defined her transformation.

The transition wasn’t seamless. Byczkowski recalls the early days as a time of uncertainty, where she grappled with the idea of whether she could truly make it in comedy. “I always wanted to do something creative, but wasn’t really sure how,” she admits. The comedy world, with its unpredictable nature and high stakes, seemed daunting. Yet, her perseverance paid off, and she soon found herself performing in venues that felt like second homes. One such moment stands out as a personal milestone: a work-in-progress show in Leek, a town close to her hometown of Stoke. “You start from the bottom and when you get to a point when you’re in a full room, it’s a really nice thing,” she says, reflecting on the experience. The intimacy of the setting, combined with the familiar surroundings, made the gig feel like a return to roots, a moment of genuine connection that solidified her place in the industry.

Unique Themes and Unconventional Ideas

Byczkowski’s comedy often explores the bizarre and deeply human. One recurring theme in her work is the creative ways people deal with grief, particularly through craft projects involving loved ones’ ashes. “People are doing some really weird stuff with them,” she notes, citing examples like ashes being tattooed or used in food. “People eat them, put them in a chilli.” These anecdotes highlight her knack for finding humor in the unexpected, a trait that has become a hallmark of her performances. The show’s ability to blend personal storytelling with universal observations has resonated with audiences, offering a space where the absurd and the heartfelt coexist.

Her experience with *The Traitors* in 2022 was a defining moment in this evolution. Though the show itself is a game of betrayal and strategy, it also provided a platform for her to explore the nuances of human behavior under pressure. “You never saw it on the show but in between filming we laughed loads,” she recalls. The camaraderie forged during the filming process was surprising, given the competitive nature of the program. “We all got on so well we would absolutely howl with laughter,” she says, emphasizing the blend of tension and humor that characterized her time on the series. This dynamic not only shaped her persona as a comedian but also deepened her understanding of the craft.

Struggles and Triumphs on Stage

While *The Traitors* brought her into the public eye, Byczkowski acknowledges that it didn’t immediately ease her struggles in the comedy circuit. “Has being known for *The Traitors* ever actively worked against you on stage?” she asks. The answer is a resounding no, as she hasn’t faced direct heckling about her TV appearance. However, the initial skepticism from bookers and fellow comedians was palpable. “People were like, ‘You went on TV and you think you can do gigs, huh?’” she says. This doubt was compounded by the notion that newcomers had to “earn their stripes” before being taken seriously. Yet, Byczkowski credits her time on the show with helping her refine her skills and embrace the challenges of live performance.

Her toughest gig to date was in Skegness, a venue where the atmosphere felt almost alien. “The worst gig I ever had was in Skegness,” she recounts. “There was about 20 people just staring at me the whole time.” The silence was deafening, and the confusion of her set compounded the discomfort. “I was so bad, and my watch timer hadn’t started so I didn’t know how long I’d done,” she says. “I did my normal 20 but in 13 minutes.” The MC hadn’t even returned to the stage when she finished, a moment she describes as “horrific.” Despite this, the experience became a lesson in resilience, teaching her the importance of adaptability and the value of learning from failure.

Comedy Advice and Personal Philosophy

Byczkowski’s approach to comedy is rooted in simplicity and authenticity. When asked about the best advice she’s ever received, she offers a straightforward perspective: “That nobody else cares.” This insight, she explains, is a reminder that audiences are often more focused on their own lives than on the performer’s every move. “No matter what it is in life, nobody cares,” she says. Whether it’s a misstep in appearance or a poorly timed joke, the audience’s reaction is subjective, and that’s okay. “Everyone cares about themselves more than they care about you,” she adds, emphasizing the need to stay grounded and not take criticism too personally.

Her pre-show rituals are equally unorthodox. Byczkowski avoids overthinking her material, as she believes that second-guessing can lead to self-doubt. Instead, she leans into instinct, often taking a cigarette break to clear her mind. “I try not to think about my set too much because I can get in my own head about it,” she says. This habit allows her to approach the stage with a sense of freedom, unburdened by the weight of perfection. It’s a small but meaningful way to maintain her connection to the raw, unfiltered essence of comedy.

Comedy Heroes and the Power of Laughter

When it comes to influences, Byczkowski cites comedians like Alan Carr and Daisy May Cooper. “People like Alan Carr and Daisy May Cooper, just because they’re inherently funny,” she says. Unlike some comedians who focus on intricate joke structures, she prioritizes the emotional impact of a performance. “I don’t really care about a joke’s structure or anything like that,” she admits. “I just want them to be funny.” This philosophy aligns with her belief that humor should feel organic, a natural expression rather than a calculated act.

Even with her clear talent, Byczkowski isn’t without her moments of doubt. She shares a joke she’s convinced is brilliant but has yet to land with an audience. The piece plays on the confusion between the abbreviation for cocktail, “cocky-T,” and the bird “cockatoo.” “When I wrote that, I thought: there’s no way that this is going to fail,” she says. Yet, the audience’s silence has left her wondering if the humor eludes them. “I’ve yet to meet an audience that laughs,” she jokes, underscoring the unpredictability of live performance and the importance of connecting with the crowd.

Byczkowski’s journey from palliative care to the comedy stage is a testament to her resilience and creativity. While the transition wasn’t without its challenges, the experiences gained through *The Traitors* and the countless gigs have shaped her into a more confident and versatile performer. As she prepares for her upcoming show at the Gilded Balloon Teviot in Edinburgh from 5 to 30 August, the lessons learned along the way continue to inform her craft. “Killer is at Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh, 5-30 August,” she notes, a nod to the venue where her comedic voice will take center stage once more.

A Lasting Impact on the Comedy Scene

Byczkowski’s participation in *The Traitors* has had a lasting impact, not just on her personal growth but also on her ability to engage with audiences. The show’s format, which combines strategy with humor, mirrors the unpredictable nature of the comedy circuit. “If you know the comedy circuit at all, it’s pretty much the same as *The Tra