The Punchline

This documentary observes how stand-up comedy has served as an outlet for double act Tom Keenan and Bruce Williamson, as they have utilised it to overcome grief and express relatable grievances while maintaining their everyday working lives as a painter/decorator and crime surveyor.

Vulnerability and perseverance underpin this documentary. Laughter truly heals; comics climb on stage to work through trauma and transform it into something that can entertain an audience.

When Keenan lost his mother, he started performing comedy to help himself work through this grief. Similarly, Bruce utilises comedy to help with his neurodivergence, as the stage is where he feels most at ease.

Although they may sing and joke about trivial topics such as their song titled ‘Chippy Jesus’ (which imagines if Jesus worked in a chip shop), their material holds greater meaning for both them and their audiences, as it has helped them to move on.

This film will follow the duo's journey as they write, rehearse, and perform their comedy, seeking to uplift their audiences and make it in the industry.