COMEDY
listings COMEDY
listings
COMEDY REVIEW
The Stand
Edinburgh: The Stand Comedy Club, every night * it it 1*
Winning over the male members: 1010 Smith
It‘s Saturday night at Scotland's only dedicated comedy club, and by 8.30pm, it’s standing room only in preparation for the 9pm show. The subterranean venue is intimate and good views can be had of the small stage from all corners, although the beer’s a bit pricey. This doesn't seem to bother the crowd, who are vociferous as compere Joon Broon warms them up for the first act.
She's a woman after my own heart, who keeps her fags in her cleavage and is able to down other people’s pints in a matter of seconds, but her humour, certainly in the role of MC, relies on picking on members of the audience. The moral? Unless you're prepared to have your penis size discussed in front of the assembled masses, don’t sit in the front row.
First up is Glaswegian John Reilly, who seems to misjudge the maturity of the audience — his jokes about the trials and tribulations of parenthood pretty much miss their mark. Second support comes in the form of Lee Ness, widely dubbed 'the gay Bernard Manning'. This tag apparently displeases him, unsurprisingly, as - unlike Mr Manning — he’s actually very funny.
The open spot, a comedy tradition in which new acts cut their teeth, is filled by the not-so-novice Jack Weatherall. He’s been fronting Sunday afternoon's improv crew for some time now, and the experience shows in his confident delivery. He’s followed by The Man In Pants (and thank God he's wearing them) who manages to be less funny than a bunch of lager lads after a 24-hour drinking bender but doesn't seem the least perturbed that no-one is laughing.
Tonight's headliner is 1010 Smith, a lass with a reputation for telling it how it is. By this point in the evening, the crowd are getting very much into the spirit of things and the laughter, like the lager, is flowing. Her act is in the .lo Brand mould and jokes about hairy nips and replacing the army with squads of pissed women are met by whoops and cheers, even by some of the male members of the audience. She is even rewarded with an encore.
As the night draws to a close, we are left to discuss the finer points of tequila as a weapon of mass destruction over yet another pint in the bar, which stays open until 1am every night. (Abi Bremner)
Comedy is listed by date, then by city. Shows will be listed, providing that details reach our offices at least ten da 5 in advance of publication. Come y listings compiled this issue by Abi Bremner.
THURSDAY 23
Glasgow
Cheshire Cat Comedy Club Wasy's. 2t) Candleriggs. 552 8717. 9pm. Free. Brendan Riley is joined by new kid on the
block Radar lor sortie hot gag actioti. Velvet Cabaret Velvet Rooms. 520 Sauchiehall Street. 338 2908. 7.30pm. Free. Radio Scotland presents sketches from the usual crowd. plus stand-up from gentle giatit Gordon Brunton. An edited version of the show is broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland the following night at 1 1pm.
Edinburgh
The Stand 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8pm. £4 (£3). Mike Milligan. the voice behind the .S‘t'tl The Sum! video. tops tonight's line-up. Joon Broon competes and there will be support atid o ien slots. Christie's Comedy ellar WJ. Christie & Son. 27—31 West Port. 228 3765. 9pm. £4 (£3). Satirical lyricist Sandy Nelson joins Susanne Fraser and David Ka_v. with Joe Heenan as compete.
FRIDAY 24
Glasgow
Mad Cap Comedy Club Sloan's. Argyle Arcade. 357 5387. 9pm. £6. Michael Redmond of Father Ted l'atne heads the bill — expect a peek at material from his Fringe show Granny is ()n T/lt’ Run/Again.
Edinburgh
The Stand 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8pm. £5 (£4). Liverpudlian Brendan Riley shares some true life stories with Mike Milligan and John ‘hard man' Flint. Susan Morrison comperes.
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SATURDAY 25
Glasgow
Cosy Comedy Cafe The State Bar. 148 Holland Street. 332 215‘). 9.30pm. £4. New Zealand duo lirendhan Lovegrove and Radar are initiated in the ways of voodoo king Reg Anderson. Anyone interested itt taking their lirst tallering footsteps into the world of cotiiedy should contact the organiser. Billy Bonkers. about an open spot on (1141 357 5387.
Edinburgh
The Stand 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8pm. £6 (£4). Tonight: Brendan Riley. Mike Milligan and Donna Krachan.
Glasgow
The Comic Club Blacklriars Underground. 36 Bell Street. 552 5924. 8.30pm. £5 (£3.50). Brendan Riley does his improv/anecdote thing alongside David Kaye and Billy Bonkers.
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Fruits of Kiwi: New Zealand's Brendhan Lovegrove and Radar appear together and separately at Christie's
Edinburgh
Whose Lunch Is It Anyway? 5 York Place. 558 7272. l—3pm. Free. Improvised wit from comic duo Jack Weatherall and Paul Graham. Pint-Sized Comedy 5 York Place. 558 7272. 7.30pm. £2 (£1). Compere Allan Miller hosts a night featuring eight to ten new acts — all for the rice of a pint. Christie's Comedy ellar WJ. Christie & Son. 27—31 West Port. 228 3765. 9pm. £4 (£3). Enjoy two Fringe previews — Caffeine by Dave Williams and A Night Of 100 Bars from Boris and Doris. '
MONDAY 27 Edinburgh Red Raw The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 7.30pm. £1. The flame-haired Liane Ellis compcres a The Stand's regular novice night. featuring eight to ten new recruits.
TUESDAY 28
Edinburgh
Grand Gala Night The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8pm. £6 (£4). Scotland‘s tnost opinionated ex-football manager Bob ‘The Gob’ Doolally (a.k.a. Vladimir McTavish. plus Allan Miller and Jane Mackay raise the laughs to raise money for West Lothian Youth Theatre.
WEDNESDAY 29
Edinburgh
World Of Comedy Quiz The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. Free; £1 to enter. Let your host. Bill Dewar. initiate you into the strange world of comedy trivia.
THURSDAY 30
Glasgow
Cheshire Cat Comedy Club Waxy's, 20 Candleriggs. 552 8717. 9pm. Free. Gerry Grant and David Kilby are joined by New Zealander Brendhan Lovegrove. This is the last Cheshire Cat night until
' Thu 10 Sep.
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23 Jul—6 Aug 1998 THE USTTS