Promoter Harry Deanway pays tribute to David Shaw, AKA open mic favourite Ray Presto who died on Monday.
Ray Presto, who has died at the age of 74, was a stalwart of the London open mic circuit appearing regularly at Pear Shaped, Fix gigs and The Comedy Store Gong Show (until he was asked to stop entering in 2009 when a new booker took over). Famed for his strange but smart appearance, unique delivery of out-of-date jokes and magic tricks, audiences were often left wondering whether this was a well thought-out character act or a delusional Seventies throwback. Was he in on the joke?
Off stage, Ray Presto was a committed atheist and hedonist, having published a book in 1972 by Tandem called Choose Your Pleasure, a collection of essays on the pros and cons of hedonism and self-indulgence. Off the back of this he got regular writing work as a columnist in Penthouse Magazine which he contributed to under his real name David Shaw.
In 2002 he moved to London from his home town of Hull with the aim of getting more work as a writer, but struggled to get published. During this time in London he became one of the most recognisable faces on the open mic circuit and a firm favourite of many of the acts and audience members. And, although he will be remembered by many on the circuit, it will not be for what he wanted to be remembered for – as a serious writer.
Shortly before his death, when he began to open up, I asked him what he did before he retired. His answer was: "I was unemployed." A classic Presto line delivered with the timing of someone who was definitely in on the joke.
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