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PAISLEY m STITCHES
Up for Laughs & Hamishes Hoose, Paisley, Thu 20-Sun 23 Feb
of the comedy world are focused on
Edinburgh, but it’s not a dedicated comedy event. Last year we witnessed the Glasgow Comedy Festival that never was. And in March, Glasgow will have its first comedy
How’s this for positive promotion: Paisley in Stitches is ‘probably Scotland‘s first comedy festival‘. The truth is, no one really knows.
Every August the eyes, ears and entertainers
Live Floor Show reVISIted
festival proper, and it’s international, no less.
But, according to Bruce Morton, it’s only right that Paisley should hoist the festival flag for Scotland. Paisley born, the Perrier nominee traces the origins of stand-up in Scotland back to his home town. ‘I believe that whatever comedy scene we have in Scotland was born at the Bar Point in the late 805, where a whole bunch of us got started. I’m talking about people like Parrot, Fred [MacAulay] and Stu [Who?] and all these old wrinkled geezers.’
Over a decade later, Morton is one of the most prolific and consistently funny performers in Scotland and will open the first night of the festival, introducing Red Dwarf star Hattie Hayridge and a clutch of new talent. Following nights feature a Bob Doolally musical special, an all-female night and an original Live Floor Show reunion. Punters gagging for more can head to Hamishes Hoose where the laughter continues into the wee small hours.
The festival has grown out of an initiative to involve excluded communities in comedy workshops and performances. Participants in the Paisley in Stitches scheme, part organised by Paul Sneddon (aka Bob ‘the gob’ Doolally), can now showcase their new-found skills on stage alongside established performers and before a more sympathetic audience.
In the spirit of Phoenix Nights, the main entertainment will take place in Up for Laughs, a specially transformed working man’s club normally named the Liberal. ‘That will be fine for all us right-on lefties,’ enthuses Morton. ‘We can go there and resurrect the Fabian society or something.’ (Maureen Ellis)
Billy Bonkers introduces James (‘aiiiphell and Louise Stevenson.
Edinburgh
The Stand The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £8. See l-‘ri 21 but “llll compere Jane Mackay.
Paisley
Funny Ladies t'p for Laughs. 32 High Street. 0141 887 (i293. 7.30pm. £8 (£6). (‘arol l.aula and Sandra Johnston are joined by (‘arol 'l‘urnci‘. (‘arrie Forbes and lilaine Marney.
Hamishes Late’n’Live llainishes Hoose. 42 ()Id Sneddon Street. 0141 561 7107. 10.30pm. Free. See Thu 20 but tonight features headliner John (iillick. (iraham .\lackie and host John McBride.
Glasgow
Craic @ the Sac (‘ul de Sac Southside/.»\ttic. l 179 Pollokshaws Road. (>49 [819/649 4717. 8pm. £4. See Sat 22. Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £4 (£2). Redmond introduces Michael Mee. plus Kate Fox and three guests.
Edinburgh
Whose Lunch is it Anyway? The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 1pm. Free. See Sun 16.
Bruce’s Sunday Social Fund The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £4 (£3). John (iillick. Paul .\lc.\'eill and three guests join host Bruce l)e\|iii.
Y0 H0 H0 SUShi Yol Helms. (if) Rose Street. 220 (3040. 9pm. £3. 1)es .\lcl.eaii. Sandra Johnston and raconteur Skank.
Paisley
BBC Live Floor Show Live t'p lor Laughs. 32 High Street. 0141 887 (i293. 7.30pm. £8 (£0). .»\ reunion of the original Lire l-‘lmir .S'Iiuii' cast. also featuring gtiest ()\\ en (’aiiiphell.
Hamishes Late’n’Live Hamishes House. 42 ()Id Sneddon Street. 0141 561 7107. |0.30pm. Free. See Thu 20. htit \sith Raymond .\1earns and (ierry (irant.
Glenrothes
0 Ross Noble - Sonic Waffle Rothes Halls. Kingdom Centre. 01592 611101. 8pm. £12 (£9~£10). See Fri 21.
Monday 24 Edinburgh Red Raw The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £1. Teddy and headliner (‘olin McGill put around eight tic“ comers through their paces.
Tuesday 25
Edinburgh
Natalie Haynes and Russell
Howard 'l'lie l’lcasance (Kiltat'ct Hai'. (ill The Pleasaiice. (‘50 2349. 8pm. £4 £5 Straight—talking attitude from former schoolteacher llay iies. Support comes from Rtisscll llossai'd (see pre\ IL'\\ i The Stand Improv The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 "2‘2. 9pm. £4 (£3). llnpro\ esperis Stu & Paul embark on a quest into the great unkiioxtn.
Hairy Watt Comedy Club llei-ini- \Yatt l'nisersity l'nioii. Riccai'ton. 451 5333. 9pm. £3. Raymond .\learns introduces Vladimir .\lc'l'a\ ish and Ben Darcy. Students and guests only.
Wednesday 26
Glasgow
BBC Scotland’s Live Floor Show The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 (illl) (305.5. 5 7pm. liree. See \Vetl l‘). The Stand Improv The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0370 000 0055. 9pm. £4 (£31. Sec TUL‘ 2.5.
Edinburgh
0 Rob Newman Brunton 'l'lieatrc. Lady“ ell Way. .\ltisse1hurgh. oo5 2240. 7.30pm. £12 (£9). .\'e\s man tells of a 500-year terror campaign. Sec pres mu. 0 Great Britain Explained the Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £4 (£3). ('olin Ramone. Jason Hall and ('olin Simpson look at \sliat's ‘great‘ about our second di\ ision \\()l'ltl pots er.
Glasgow
Jongleurs Comedy Club Joiigletirs. l'(i(‘ Building. Renl‘reyt Street. 0870 787 0707. 7.30pm. £6. Parkheid's legal eagle Raymond .\leariis introduces Janey (iodley. laii ('oppingei' and ('raig ('amphell.
The Stand The Stand. 33.3 Woodlands Road. 0870 (ilX) 605.5. 9pm. £5 (£4). Former Kiui cricketer Brendan
l,o\ egi'o\e. \\ itli Sandra Johnston. Teddy and host Frankie Boyle.
Giggles Mercury Lounge. 142 Bath Lane. 248 1777. 9pm. £5 (£4). ‘Magic‘ Mandy Muden. Sai. l‘raser (‘amphell and compere Janey (iodley.
Edinburgh
Reg Anderson’s Comedy Night Acaiithus. 17 Waverley Bridge. 556 2358. 9pm. l-‘ree. Ne“ montth comedy with guests l)es .\lcl.ean. Steyeii Dick and he-kilted \sonderhoy John Scott.
The Stand The Stand. 5 York Place.
558 7272. 9pm. £5 (£4). :\hstlt'(list Andy [alt/titan. with John Ross. .\'eil Mcl‘arlane and host (iraeme 'l'homas. Neutron Bomb The Two. 9 Hunter Square. High Street. 226 0931. 9pm. £3 (£1 £2). Host Sarah Wilson introduces (iraeme Thomas. John Scott. Michael Beck and Marjorie Ferry.
Snatch Club The Liquid Room. 9c Victoria Street. 225 2564. 10pm 3am. £3.50 (£2.50). See Thu 13.
listings Comedy
HITLIST *
The best showsthis fortnight
I Stand Up for Shelter T'r-s .'.’Z)."i(lf‘s()f(i;)”‘if.1. .1!‘1.'“..f~ ‘ t-a at thisitiniut. (:201‘1'151" xii-iit‘. Des; (Hat-st,- 'paftu'tui .'." '~'.i°._i'-s:; ah unplugged set "out fiw- 1.» Historical SWC‘OM. [we fit)": hamburg/X [gm 7.“? f in“, 3%" 81:") I. G/asgoitz Wet! 'filetg
I Paisley in Stitches l)tt:.‘;9'. notches (ll) Scotland's ‘ir:;t dedicated (:oiiieil, l(ff>ll‘.ill is. Wllll four nights; of ()ltlt liziirzu; :11 llli.’ l()(3£tl‘i'/()lls|l1(_)lllétll'fillltll).l’l‘tttflh Nights eat your heait out. Set.- preview. Up for laughs; 5s; /l.’1/.‘1/.‘{/1(‘.‘; Hoose. ’ais/ei: Min {’0 Sun (Ni/up I Ross Noble Net-reaches whiiiiSieal whix/ is; back again to wattle on about Angel Delight, GHOTCXICl)r1111£1(l()lill£1§$(1li(l ll(;l\111() the Dalai Lama. See Heat Vlt.“.'.". page 128. pt'llS/Ol’ /()l‘.’/1//.’i//, In .‘H’ Feb; Rot/70$ Hal/5;. (i/emothes. Sun 23 Feb.
I Robert Newman N()ll(: of your lightweight observations; lit:l(:. lhe newly sshorn l)()lllI(L£1l poleiiiitist. novelist and soon to be 1V (l()(;ll star is quite literally raging against global terror. See preview [iii/liter)
I 'lieatre. Muse/burgh, Wei! ()0 / eh; Cornberiiau/(i I'Iieatre. I ll 28 / eb.‘ Mac/Robert. Stirling. I he (5 Mai:
I Great Britain Explained AI Murray attempted to put the '(Ereat' back into Great Britain. No-‘u’ see Colin Ramone. Jason Hall and (John Simpson bring the house (limo Wllll their empire explication, The Stand. Edinburgh. Wed 26 I eh,
i- lllllllx.
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Cutting edge comedy series LIVE FLOOR SHOW continues to bring you the finest comics from across the globe. Host Dara O‘Briain provides regular razor sharp wit with AI Murray. Men In Coats and favourites Craig Hill and Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe Ill PLUS live music from TWO top bands.
It's your last chance to be part of a comedy and music loving audience this series, so if you aren’t afraid of being seen or heard then call us on 0141 338 3491 or apply on-Iine at www.bbc.co.uk/livefloorshow
Studio Recordings: Thursday 6th, 13th and 20th March. Over 18’s Only
BE Scotland
‘3—27 Feb 2003 THE LIST 71