The Writers' Guild
AWARDS NOMINEES
The week one candidates
With our crew of critics and scouts on the prowl for shows which could be considered for nomination in best comedy writing and best newcomer, the heat is most certainly on. In this issue, you can read stirring reviews on Andrew Maxwell (with a set that had to be heavily rewritten after the events of 7 July, a situation which has affected many Fringe clowns, it appears) and Penny Spubb's Party, a newcomer double act which could well be strong enough to triumph in either category. Among other fancied acts are Irish swot Michael Mee, song, dance and tall tale woman Rain Pryor, mad old buckethead Simon Munnery and human beatbox Reggie Watts.
Of those we haven’t reviewed here but have heard solid word of, the Bicycle Men (pictured) stand out. One of our spies describes them as ‘ambitious, distinctive and unusual’. The song lyrics, in particular, are worthy of attention. There are only around 234,667 shows still to be seen, but we can report at this stage that in our next issue we will be running impressive words from within the Robert Newman and Seymour Mace camps. (Brian Donaldson)
See www./i'st.co.uk/behindthefringe and add your comments.
Mark Little .0 Despite claiming that Neighbours has been the bane of his life. the artist formerly known as Joe Mangle is surprisingly amiable when reminded by the audience. Everything about Little is good natured. including this ' performance. though it‘s less a show and more an extension of the pub as he hands out free beer and arnusingly fails to get very little material across.
(Marissa Burgess) Assembly Rooms. 226 2428. until 28 Aug (not 15. 22 ). 10.20pm. £13—£l4(£12—£l3).
The Lost and Lonely Rebels
.0. Posh boy Miles Jupp has gathered some chums for a second year. The scenarios generally work around
subverting the norm. such as Sandra. who calls the fantasy line when her man goes off to watch football while the voice at the end of the phone whispers about defrosting the fridge and cleaning his fingernails. (Ruth Hedges) Underbelly 0870 745 3083, until 28 Aug (not 15. 22). 4.20pm. £8—£9 ( 16.50-17.50).
Carey Marx 0. In attempting to find a bride on the Fringe. the trained magician gives us his story so far. Despite insisting that the project has gifted him reams of material. his carefree/lazy delivery suggests that he actually has very little. The fact that he shows a half- funny video clip twice is the only proof we require. (Brian Donaldson) (,r’mlw-ln'lly.
38 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 1 1—18 Aug 2005
0870 745 3083. until 28 Aug (I10! 16). 7pm. £84") ( [7 [8).
Vladimir McTavish .0. Vladimir impales every single issue du jottr on his comedy litter pack. and while he's a great dissector of this nation's stereotypes. finding pleasing punchlines that both Scots and Sassenachs can understand. What's tnore telling is that in a Veritas gag he fails to notice that Robert Kilroy-Silk quit the party last week. (Robin Lee) The Stand II. 558 7272. until 28Aug (not [5. 22). 8.20pm. [7(1'6). Monkey Butlers oo of averages with decent sketch shows. For every gag that sags there’s a couple stronger contenders to swiftly tisher it out the door. While this quartet are convincing with their initial premises doctor‘s office. pothole or space/time continuum —- they struggle with the punchlines.
(Mark Robertson) Ulldt'l'ltt’ll)‘. 0870 745 3083. until 28Aug (not 16). 3.30pm. [7-- [8 ( {6—17}.
Naked Art 0 A man with a purple inohican and no stage presence drin presents a history of art with a crashing punchline at the end of every ten minute segment. Halfway through. the audience is asked to create a piece of art with some Blu-tack. entitled ‘Spirit of the l"ringe'. Being rubbish at that kind of thing. l broke my piece into live blobs and called it ‘Star Ratings'. l was asked how many the show was worth. At the time I shrugged. Here's your answer. pal. (Brian Donaldson) lfnrlt'rlu'lly. 0870 745 3083. until 20 Aug. noun. [7-18 (£6- [7).
John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman 0.0 [alt/man and ()liver claim to have outsourced their joke writing to a ten- year-old lndonesian. That said. their show has a similar style (geeky. engaging political satire) and similar strengths (great gags) and weaknesses (it feels very scripted) as their 200-) effort. The pace slips at times. but there‘s much to enjoy here. I for one will now find it hard to do the groceries without glancing uncomfortably at my 'shopping basket ftill of shattered livcs'. (James Smart) l’lt'usunr'e ( 'nurtyui'rl. 556 6550. until 28 Aug (not 16), 6.40pm. [9.50 [10.50
( £8. 50 £9).
Andy Parsons .00 When Andy Parsons is being bad. he's very. very good. Like sick. tin-PC bad: ‘Now that black people can call each other nigger as a term of respect. maybe hardline feminists will soon be able to greet each other: "lley cunt. how‘s it going?” l'nfoitunately. issue-based material punctuates most of the show with a dragging predictability: li'aq. ll) cards. immigration. Palestine. It‘s all right and true. but too obvious to hit any major nerves whether they are raw. setisitive or massively funny.
(Ruth Hedges) Assembly Rooms. 226 2428, until 28 Aug (not 15. 23). 9.05pm. [ll [/2 ([10).
The Road to Boothby Grafloe
0.. With his white granddad shirt and seesawing eyes. it’s hard to dislike Boothby. (‘overing topics from space holidays and stiduko to era/ed stalkers. his
'l'here's a law
songs are a delightful dip into his imaginative parallel worlds. A conversation about Danish deer reveals his aptitude for comedy accents plus an opportunity for a
for see non-Festival magazine
hilarious swerve into llarry Hill-style surrealism. llowevei'. difficulties connecting with the audience prove he's not quite king of comedy yet.
(Katy McAulay) The Stand. 558 7272. until 28Aug (not /5. 22). 7.50pm. {8M7}. Jason Rouse ooo Not for the easily offended is one thing. this depraved 'l‘orontonian's set is a test for those with any kind of moral fibre at all. (’oupling a supremely base charm with the ability to work a stunned silence (a talent no doubt borne of necessity) this sick monkey appals with one hand. tickles with the other. (Mark lidmtindson) l’lt'usunt't' ('uirrtyunl. 556 6550. until 2‘).rlug. ll/nn. [9.50 [[050 ([8 [9).
Somebody Shut Her Up! oo You have to be fairly confident to entitle your show something that audience members could well be whispering amongst themselves. l'nfoitunately for limina lloiton. this character coiiiedy' collection doesn’t do enough to banish the phrase frotii mind. Nevertheless, garnering litters and winccs rather than guffaws is the only crime committed here. a misguided talent the worst rebuke. (Mark lidmtindson) l'nrlt'rln'lly. 0870 745 3083. until 28 Aug. 2./0/nn. [7- [8 ([6 [7).
Matt Tiller 0.0 It is Matt 'liller's aim to make you fall in love with him in one hour. If you like Atistin l’owers-csque nerdy guys with a penchant for velour jackets. then he's half way to your knickers already. ()ften endearineg shainbolic and always engagingly bumbling. 'l‘iller's hopeful love—in is all good fair. (Marissa Burgess) (’iulr'rlu'llv. 0870 745 30t ’3. until 28xlug (not [6. 23). 3.15pm. £7.50 [850(U).50 [7.50). Toulson and Harvey ooo The news is such a rife area for satire and general fun-poking that you'd think somebody would have written a show about it. ()h wail. everyone has. Still. this pair are such excellent mimics and superb actors with timing coming otit of their ears that you can just about forgive their cliched premise as they present a day in the life of current affairs broadcasters covering non-crisis after minor skirmish. But what‘s new here‘.’ (Brian Donaldson) Pll’ll.\'(llll'(' ('nurtyunl. 556 6550. until 2‘) Aug (Ht)! [7). 7./5/nn. [7.50 [8.50
([6 [7).
The Trap .00 This three-man sketch troupe were critically lauded at the liestival last year and they return with a very cleverly ptit together show which is heavy on the self-reference. 'l'heir skits parody the comedic writing process. there are comedy songs that are pure nonsense and routines told backwards. And at the end of it all. loose ends are tied tip for the most satisfactory of a conclusion.
(.‘vlarissa Burgess) I’li'usunr'c ('uurtvunl. 556 6550. until 2‘) Aug (not l7). 5. l5/nn. [8.50 [9.50 I 17 £8).
Angelo Tsarouchas 000 At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious. being fat or thin (or gay or straight or a man or a woman) is not inherently hilarious. l7nfoitunately. ‘htisky‘ (ireek~(‘anadian 'l'sarouchas seems to think his planetoidal giitli is pretty damn funny. Which is a shame. because when he leaves the blatant llab gags behind. his observations on growing up in an ethnic minority. stalking Shania Twain and why pot and highways don't llil\ are on target. (Sam llealy) l’ll’tlwlllt'l' (‘nui‘tvunl 556 6550. until 2‘) Aug. 8.45/mi. [9.50 [/(l.5(lill\’ UH.