SEAN GRANT
Currnudgeonly Scots comic with show which pricks a few balloons Reigning Scottish Comedian of the Year and through to the So You Think You're Funny? competition semi-finals, Sean Grant only began performing stand-up last summer after a declaration of love. 'l'd always enjoyed watching comedy. but it never occwred to me to try it.‘ the 37-year-old Airdrieonian admits. “I‘m not a gregarious person, but I gave a best man's speech and really enjoyed the writing. I hadn't been looking forward to delivering it but I ended up just loving the buzz of performance.‘ Like his cousin. the cerebrally lefttield comic and writer Stephen Carlin. Grant has a measured. deadpan style that accentuates his “Cynical and curmudgeonly' side, so he's been shrewdly paired to share his hour with the incessantly chatty and irrepressible
bear-obsessive Tiernan Douieb.
The SCOTY title has already taken Grant to the Toronto Comedy Festival. but he acknowledges the spat it aroused when he was placed ahead of more experienced acts. ‘It was controversial, but I suppose that means people hold the competition in esteem. I've really been trying to earn the title since I won it, truly putting the work in. I do a joke at the start of my set to prick
You may have seen these guys on the telly upsetting everyone from Christians to their female fans when they unleashed the plagues, walked on water, turned staffs into serpents and generally did lots of stuff that it’s in the Bible. Concocting more miracles this August, the Aberdeenshire pair make their Fringe debut as Part-Time Warlocks. Religious folks and potential dates are warmly welcomed. Cue manic, echoey laughter. Underbelly, 0844 545 8252, 2—24 Aug (not 72), 70.20pm, 8950—27 7.50
($8.504? 70.50). Previews 37 Jul 8 7 Aug, C6.
that balloon, just so the audience isn't | expecting Frankie Boyle or Billy g Connolly.‘ (Jay Richardson) I Gilded Balloon Teviot, 668 1633. 3-25 Aug (not 70, 78), 10pm, {3850—270 (8750—89). Previews 37 Jul—2 Aug, 85.
JOHNNY CANDON 3 Dublin comic finds his theme with , a personal story free of sentiment
, At last year's Fringe. Johnny Candon
was dancing around in a bear costume for Tony Law‘s Revenge of the Dog of
I Time. but for many years the Dublin- born stand-up has been successfully
gigging all over the world. Candon has been a background name in the industry for most of his career. due to a
down-to-earth manner that is ; characteristic of the man and his stand- up. but this year Candon is shining the
spotlight on himself for his first hour-
‘ long show. One Careless Lady Owner. Featuring some neatly crafted
observations. the show delves into his personal background. ‘Generally, it‘s
kind of about being adopted.” he
explains sheepishly. ‘Everyone kept ' telling me that I needed a theme.‘
Candon seems reaSSuringly inept at dramatic pretension and when asked if we should expect any tear-jerking revelations on this emotional issue. he jokes 'well, maybe I could look up my real parents. and bring them out on
stage every night at the end.‘ Backed
by his natural talent and friendly stage presence, Candon negates the need for gimmicks or bare-all comedy. “It‘s like when someone suggested the poster should be me in a nappy. I just thought
"nobody needs to see that!".'
(Emma Lennox) I The Stand II, 558 7272, 2—24 Aug (not 77), 72. 75pm, £3 7 (f6). Preview 7
Aug, E6 (E5).
TOPS ACCEPTABLE IN THE 805?
Umbrage Swain is set to go on the hunt for the Magical Diamond of Ramtutiti. Here he tells us the best (ie least horrible) things about the decade that taste, fashion, sense, class and decency completely forgot
zx Spectrum Thousands of kids could now play computer games (in their own homell) via the television. You had to load the game in each time you played. via a cassette (player not included). The whole loading process took about four hours. you played for about 10 minutes until your dad wanted to watch the news and you had to switch it off.
Pop videos and 12in singles Pop videos arrived. a small film that seemed to have nothing whatsoever to do with the song it was accompanying. Also came the 12in single. which in most cases was the 7m single with a really long intro. The Young Ones Comedy was revolutionized in the 808 by this madcap student comedy and a whole generation of school kids learned a whole new way to insult each other.
Big hair Everyone under the age of 40 had massive hair.
Live Aid The greatest concert of all time. Bob Geldolf swore at everyone until they agreed to beat poverty by singing at it really loudly from all around the world.
I Underbelly, 0844 545 8252, 2—24 Aug (not 72), 7.30pm, 89—87050 (C8—E950). Previews 37 Jul 8 7 Aug, £6.
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Danny Bhoy
August sees Scotland’s own Danny Bhoy return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for his 8th solo show. Not to be missed.
Jimmy Carr -— Joke Technician
The comedian returns to Edinburgh with a rude, crude and offensive perfOrmance!
All events running at VENUE 150 @ EICC, EDINBURGH
Club Noir
The world’s biggest Burlesque club returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for one night only. Dress to impress — anything goes as long as you are wearing a smile!
30 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 31 Jul—7 Aug 2008