10"”/ LATE
FESTIVAL
V CABARET ‘
OR WHAT?
Describing yourself as an alternative comedian these days seems a bit silly. I mean alternative to what'.’
Unaggressive but by no means meek. Kevin Day travels familiar territory— politics. religion. sex and British television. Well constructed comedy material and an audience-friendly manner add to his inimitable style.
But it's Day's more personal digressions on his right-wing father. his doddery old Grandad or his flights of fantasy (he
has a passionate affair with the Queen) that makes him worth special recommendation.
A bit of a lad. but more of a man — the cruelty of his humour is mischievous as opposed to hard core. A true alternative to your average alternative comedian. (Michael Balfour)
I 0! What? (Fringe) Kevin Day. Assembly Rooms (Venue 3) 226 2428. until 25 Aug. 10pm. £5.50/£6.50 (£4.50/£5.50).
I v COMEDY
JESUS ll
Sometimes the improvisational edge of a shambolic performance can produce enough energy to fuel a failing script. This was not one of those times. This wasa time to be insulted bya group of Oxford undergrads who couldn‘t be bothered to put a show
together. And even ifthey < had. it wouldn‘t have been
funny.
Jesus comes back and is met by a few evangelists. An obvious cue for a few obvious gags which fail to hit their kneeling target.
WITH
BRUCE MORTON
The production is slightly redeemed by the presence of Tim Malbon. a name to look out for in the future. Otherwise. pass this one over. (Stephen Chester) I Jesus II (Fringe) Oxford University Experimental Theatre Club. Overseas House (Venue 19) 225 5105. until 5 Sept (not Thurs 27). midnight. £4.50. (£3).
V COMEDY
INSOMNIA
Dana Gould is best known as a stand-up comedian but this is comedy of a very unusual kind. Insomnia makes you laugh but it is also very unnerving - the story of Gould‘s life leading up to a nervous breakdown. Gould paints hilarious pictures of his mother and father and incidents in his early life. but they are distressing as well as funny; such as when his mother is taken away to the ‘no sharp ODJCCIS camp‘.
The comedy is so close to the bone that you worry sometimes whether Gould is in control. When he re-cnacts his breakdown
and the moment when his audience turned into bug-eyed monsters it makes you shift uncomfortably in your seat. especially as this all happened barely nine months ago.
Fortunately. Gould has the ability to go right to the edge and come back again which makes the show what it is— dangerous. disturbing. very funny and definitely worth catching. (Frances Cornford)
I Insomnia (Fringe) Dana Gould. Assembly Rooms (Venue 3) 226 2428. until 22 Aug. 11pm. £6.50 (£5.50).
V COMEDY
TOMMY COCKLES A
ALIVE ALIVE 0H
Like most acts born and raised in the music-hall. our Tommy‘s appeal is limited to ten-minute bursts. Any longerthan that and the man's mysterious charm begins to wane. ‘I remember doing a show for Monty in the war.‘ Tommy fondly reminisces. ‘and he came up to me afterwards and said “Tommy. you‘re shit." Marvellous times.‘
Monty was wrong. Tommy is a genius who knows when to bring up support. Ventriloquist I Terri Rogers looks and
speaks like a demure auntie. while her doll Shorty makes Andrew Dice Clay sound like Thora Hird. ‘This one‘ll knock yer tits off. Oh you‘ve heard it.‘ was one ofhis more quotable quips. I may have been dreaming but I believe a lunatic called Charlie
a screamineg funny two-minute routine and buggered off again. That‘s music-hall for you.
I Tommy Cockles-Allve
' Alive on (Fringe)Tommy Cockles. The Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550. Until23 Aug. 10.20pm.£6 (£4).
! v CABARET
ZUBERAREE “
1' "I "\
.‘I : ‘. “ ‘4: I: l The British Empire was not created for this. We
fertilisc far-off. savage lands with the cream of our society. and their male descendants form into groups of three and return to sing obscene songs and terrorise the decent citizens of Edinburgh. Which is another way of saying that Corky and the Juice Pigs are (‘anada's answer to the Doug Anthony Allstars. except
1 porkier and more surreal.
They make you laugh.
‘ they make you nervous. Chuck also showed up. did
they make a mockery of Suzanne Vega (with some
dexterity)andtheymake
a very fetching trio in their kabuki outfits. They wax
j weird on concierges and
neo-Nazis. but are at their funniest when crueifying various branches of Christianity. or persecuting members of cuddly endangered species. for which they employ the medium ofa
darn good rock n roll
hoe-down. complete with three-part harmonies. A must for blubber
, ,‘ fetishists everywhere. 7p (AndrewBurnet) - I IZuberaree(l-‘ringe)
Corky and the Juice Pigs. Gilded Balloon (Venue 38) 226 215l . until 5 Sept. 11.30pm. £5.50(£4.50).
RIFLE LODGE 32A BROUGHTON STREET
EDINBURGH 1 0.45 PM
1 7 AUG TO ‘5 SEPT NOT SUNDAYS
£5.00 (£3.50) BOX OFFICE 031 557 1785
"(KITS AVAILABLE IROM 7H! HUNG! BOX OFFICE I80 HIGH 57 F .r
54 The List 21 — 27 August 1992