S TAND'JP SHUT/CASE
JUPP’S JUNIORS
The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 2 Sep O...
The name stinks, as MC Miles Jupp - the finest piece of comedy toff crumpet you are likely to see this year and next - readily concedes. But pretty much everything else about the opening night of this rising talent showcase came up rosy. Opener Julia Novak was admittedly out of her depth, even among fellow novices. but the second act, a breathless, Christ-fixated youngster named Peter D, showed energetic potential. Though visibly nervous, he skilfully created a demented parallel world in which he, the real
Miles ahead
JC, and Lou Reed perform ostentatious miracles in a McDonald's outlet. Next up was Andy Sir, a likeable comic with unremarkable delivery but some excellent lines. With the development of a more idiosyncratic presence, he'll be able to do his sharp material some justice. But without doubt, Jupp's Juniors belonged to Tony Carter, self-styled ‘New Deal Comedian’, a loveable unemployed Geordie doing stand-up as part of a wrongheaded government scheme. So accomplished, layered and meticulously disastrous is Carter’s immersive character comedy, he seemed out of place in a newcomers showcase. Half cerebral, half physical, entirely
hilarious, Carter’s act is a serious find.
Headliner Des McLean therefore had a very tough act to follow, but he pulled it off with an enjoyable riff on tanning salons and ‘Neds of the World’. McLean is a confident, dependable comedian, but after Carter’s dizzying performance, straight stand-up seemed a tad toothless.
Jupp’s compering was predictably excellent throughout, flitting from cool upper-crust drollery to warm-hearted enthusiasm with probity. A cynic might consider his presence a comedic safety net: even if none of the acts shone, Jupp’s Juniors (from now on a monthly event) would probably be worth seeing just for Miles himself. (Sam Healy)
I Next gig: Tut) 7 Oct
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to comedfilist.co.uk, by post or by fax on 0131 557 8500. Listings are compiled by Maureen Ellis.
Thursday 18
Glasgow
Lip Service Arta. l3 1‘) Walls Street. 552 2l0l. 8 l0pm. Free. The (ilasgtm Repertory Theatre (‘ompany does improv in the style of Whose Line is it Anvil-try." Pan of the Merchant (‘ity Festival.
The Thursday Show The Stand. 33.3 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £6 (£5). Host Raymond Mcarns introduces Live Hour Slum resident (‘raig Hill. Simon McKinney. Paul Mchill and Andy Sir. Late Night Festival Club Tron Theatre. 63 Trongate. 552 4267.
l0pm~r lam. £8. Festival cluh hosted by Michael Marra and featuring guests l-‘raser Spiers. Stey e Nimmo and Keara Mttrphy. Part of the Merchant ('ity l-‘estival.
Edinburgh
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()mni ('entre. (ireenside Place. ()8707 870707. 8.30pm. £3. [.tl't’ I'ftml‘ .S/lmt' vvriter Frankie Boyle stands tip alongside Medtisa-haired Aussie gem Kitty l-‘lanagan. Ronnie lidysards and Sean Meo.
The Thursday Show The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £6 (£5). Experience the dry y\ it of Nick Wilty in the headline slot. vvith support frotn Des McLean. Greg McHugh and feisty compere Stisriti Morrison.
The Snatch Social The Liquid Room. 9c Victoria Street. 225 2564. l0.30pm~5am. £3.50 (£3). Filth-limited. funky disco-cuin-caharet. compered by Tony (‘arter and Harry Ainsvsorth.
Glasgow
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. l'(i(' Building. Renl‘revv Street. 0870 787 0707. 8.l5pm. £l2. Phil Butler introduces Joe Hennan. Simon livans and Ireland's Michael Smiley. Big Word Poetry Party 83 Trongate (in disused [)2 store). 8.30pm. £4 (£3). Anita (iovan and Rachel Jury present a performance poetry happening taking the 'Word' to a nevy place entirely. Part of the Merchant ('ity Festival.
The Stand The Stand. 33.3 Wotxllands Road. 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £7 (£6). Scotland‘s sole Perrier winner Arnold Broyvn headlines. Support comes from BB(' Nevv (‘omedy' Avvard finalist l)es McLean. (ireg McHtigh. Andy Sir and compere Stisan Morrison.
Late Night Festival Club Tron Theatre. 63 Trongate. 552 4267.
l0pm lam. £8. Nightly cluh hosted by Michael Marra and featuring special guests have (‘i'iv Lie/its Anderson and Michael I'iiI/it'r Yt’t/ Redmond. Part of the Merchant ('ity l‘estiyal.
Edinburgh
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()mni (‘entre. (ireenside Place. 08707 870707. 8.30pm. £I5. See Thti [8.
The Stand The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £7 (£6). Wry comic Nick Wilty headlines. vy ith energetic musical chappie Roh Deering and l.eith lad Paul McNeill. (‘raig Hill comperes.
Dundee
0 Danny Bhoy Dundee Rep. Tay' Square. 01382 223530. l0.45pm. £|4.5() (£|0.50 £l2.50). [Easily the purtiest boy in comedy. Danny Bhoy takes his dimples on a national tour of the (K.
Saturday 20
Glasgow
Des McLean's Pre-Match Team Talk Metropolitan. Merchant Square. ('andlcriggs. 552 9402 12.45 2 |5pm £5 Recently tipped as a favourite ol Billy Connolly. local gag merchant McLean prov ides the pre—match laughs. His starting l I also includes Beat I06 regular Paddy Mc('utcheon and compere Scott Agnevv And the drinks promos ain't on l.uco/ade, Jongleurs Comedy Club Jtittgletlh. l'(i(‘ Building. Renlrevy Street. 0870 “8'7 0707. 8.l5pm. £I3. Sec l'Tl It).
The Stand The Stand. 33.3 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 605.5. 9pm. £8. Sec l'Tl ll). Madcap Comedy Club State Bar. I48 Holland Street. 946 928‘). 9.30pm. £5 (£4) Billy Bunkers introduces Liverpool vsordsmith Richard Allen
Late Night Festival Club Tron Theatre. 63 Trongate. 552 4267.
l0pin lam. £8. The final instalment ol the festival cluh features special guests ('arol l.aula and inusical comedian Sandy Nelson. Part of the Merchant ('tty l‘t‘SllHll.
Edinburgh
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()mni ('entrc. (ireenside Place. 08707 870707. 8.30pm. £15. Sec Thu IS.
The Stand The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £8. See in It).
Glasgow
Big Word Performance Poetry Workshops Tron Theatre. 63 'l'rongatc. 552 4267. Noon 4pm. Per vyeek £20 (£l5). Anita (ioyan and Rob (iee vvork vi. ith hudding performance poets on technique. performance and vvriting tips. Disposeable Theatre ('aptain‘s Rest. I85 (ireat Western Road. 33l 2722. 7.30pm. £4. Quick-lire laughs from the masters of organised chaos.
Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £4 (£3).
. (‘heeky chappie Roh l)eering and his trusty
guitar guest at the one-time l-itilit-r 'Ii'tl star's cluh. (iraeme Thomas supports.
Edinburgh
Bruce’s Sunday Social Club The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £4 (£3). Bruce Devlin introduces the comedy talents of Des McLean and Joint Ross.
Stirling
Phil Kay MacRohert. l'niyersity of Stirling. ()l786 466666. 8pm. £10 (£8). Scotland's free-form comedy maestro.
Edinburgh
Red Raw The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £l. Will this batch of eight newcomers shine in the limelight or he stnick dumh in the spotlight'.’ Seasoned pros (iraeme Thomas and John Ross guest.
Edinburgh
Melting Pot The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £5 (£4). All hail the comedy referendum as nevy vsriters present their short comic theatre pieces.
Wednesday 24
Glasgow
OThe Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe lll Charity Appeal The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £6 (£5). The bible- hashing Rev gathers his faithful follovsers together for an unholy evening of spiritual heahng.
Edinburgh
The Stand lmprov The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £4 (£3). lmprov experts Stu & Paul etnhark on a quest into the great unknovsn.
listings Comedy
Danny Bhoy Oh Danny Bhoy. they love you so. The homecoming king piles on the charm on his national tour. Dundee Rep, Fri 79 Sep.
The Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe lll Charity Appeal (pictured) With a name of this magnitude. you'd expect the comedy to be pretty potent. Prepare for an otherworldly experience. The Stand. Glasgow, Wed 24 Sep.
Jeremy Hardy He took on the lsraeli army and lived to tell the tale. Now the novelist. Perrier winner and political ass-kicker is going on the road. To/hooth. Stirling. Thu 25 Sep; Garety Theatre, Ayr. Fri 26 Sep.
Big Word Performance Poetry Slam How far Big Word has come in one year in Glasgow. The furious Slam competition is not to be missed. Tron Theatre, Glasgow. Sun 28 Sep.
Glasgow
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. l'(i(‘ Building. Renfrevy Street. 0870 787 0707. 8.l5pm. £l2. (‘omedy' giant Alun ('ochrane introduces R David. one-liner specialist Anthony King and Simon Bligh. Craic @ the Radisson Radisson SAS Hotel. 30| Argyle Street. 204 3333. 8.30pm. Free. Neyy yveekly' comedy cltih. vyith line-up still to he confirmed.
The Thursday Show The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £6 (£5). Irish polemicist Kevin Hayes headlines. vvith guitar-toting funny lady llils Barker. (iraeme Thomas atitl host Raymond Mcarns.
Edinburgh
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()mni Centre. (ireenside Place. 08707 870707. 8.30pm. £8. Mike Milligan. Tony Burgess. Matt Welcome and Stti Who'.’ The Thursday Show The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £6 (£5). John (iillick. Simon McKinney. John Ross and Andy Sirjoin host Stisan Morrison.
Reg Anderson’s Comedy Night AcanthUs. l7 Waverley Bridge. 556 2358. ()pm. Free. (ierry' (irant. Scott Agnew and l'krainian lrn-Bni fanatic Bene Linchesticov.
The Snatch Social The Liquid Room. 9c Victoria Street. 225 2564. l0.30pm~5atn. £3.50 (£3). Sec Thu 18.
Stirling
OJeremy Hardy Tolbooth. Jail Wynd. ()l786 274000. 8pm. £12 (£8). Satirist. broadcaster. viriter and Perrier vyinner. Hardy indulges in a little political comedy.
18 Sep—2 Oct 2003 THE LIST 71