GLASGOW COMEDY FESTIVAL
LAUGH A MINUTE
Brian Donaldson picks out his highlights from the Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
25‘ =
Stewart Lee Quite probably the most intelligent stand-up on the comedy circuit which means he often leaves people behind with his erudite musings. For those in tune with such convolutions, the
Reginald D Hunter Intelligence is also part of the US-born. UK- based comic's armoury but if he wanted to. he could get away with rambling inane drivel, such is his powerhouse presence and ~ delivery. Fortunately, he's on a higher comedic plane. The Stand, Sat 70 Mar.
Joan Rivers Any act who can offend Roy Chubby Brown has got to be doing something right. And the mouthy madam has been doing it right for almost half a century now. King ’3 Theatre, Mon 72 Mar.
Sean Hughes On the 20th anniversary of his Perrier win. the man who is more likely to be seen on Five pretending to be a medic or heard on kids show Rubbadubbers as a toy shark. makes his first visit to a Glasgow stage for absolutely ages. ABC, Fri 76 Mar.
Andrew Maxwell He’ll be keeping us up all night later in the festival with his Ful/mooners extravaganza, but here he spins the blarney in a show about the effect nighttime has on our souls. Old Fruitmarket, Fn‘ 16 Mar
David O’Doherty Lo—fi, high- pleasure antics from last year's Eddies nominee. There’s not many out there who can elicit the funnies from a small keyboard, but this guy can. The Stand, Sun 18 Mar
Lucy Porter She might look
. " whiter than the whitest of whites,
’ but this wicked lass is a demon at the dirty routine. Here she will be all devilish about The Good Life. Tron, Sat 24 Mar.
Phil Nichol The inaugural victor of the lf.comeddies award has Scottish blood in his mainly Canadian veins, so we shall take him to our humble hearts. ABC, Sat 24 Mar.
I Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival Ticket hotline 0870 013 5464, wwwglasgowcomedyfestival.com
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: drawing attention from stalwarts such as ;
just maybe. we need some light
Sian Bevan talks to Josie Long about her ridiculously sunny approach to life and laughs.
hatever happened to good clean television. I did one panel show when I needed family entertainment? The oldies are the money and I do regret doing it.‘ So. instead. right when they complain that comedy ; she is heading off to the Melbourne festival. a just isn’t nice anymore. That Jimmy Carr off the f mecca for comedians the world-over. then she telly’s always bitching. and the mouth on some plans to concentrate on writing her show for of the young ‘uns is frankly disgusting. You this year’s Fringe. which she jokingly says she wouldn‘t catch Morecambe and Wise doing sick i might call Bitches and Guns. ‘That way I’d baby jokes. that‘s for sure. Well. fear not ' really confuse everyone. ifl went from being bitchophobes. Miss Josie Long is here to cheer i nice to coming up with this really offensive tip your day. With her joyfully titled show ’ show.‘ The thought of Josie turning nasty is Kindness and I:'.t'ul)m‘(ui('e. she brings you the unimaginable. nicest bits of her frighteningly cheerful Long can’t imagine life without stand-up: ‘I
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of who I am.’ she explains. After spreading so much joy
when discussing her novel around to others, it‘s nice that Josie approach to comedy. ‘lt‘s about is getting some herself. me trying to be a better person.‘ Noble thoughts indeed. MONEY AND I DO REGRET . ‘ 1
award. which Long scooped at last year's Fringe. When asked about it. she is typically bashful: ‘lt was a real surprise. I didn‘t even think I’d get nominated. I When I think about the other people who‘ve I won it. like Wil Hodgson and Gary Le Strange. ' really unique acts. it‘s really exciting.’
The title boosted her profile and secured ; Long an invitation to appear at the Melbourne comedy festival this April. all expenses paid. She adds. ‘Awards aren’t necessarily important I but it‘s still brilliant.’ ‘Brilliant‘ is a word she ‘ uses a lot. and it's strangely apt: the comedian‘s manner is shiny. bright and new.
She certainly stands out on the circuit.
Kindness and Exuberance, Brel, Mon 12 Mar, 9pm.
you awards. like the lf.comeddie Best Newcomer
Stewart Lee. whom she supported on tour. At her 2006 Fringe show. the audience were ' presented with badng and asked about their favourite things. Long then ran through a series of subjects she finds heartening. with a genuine message of loving thy neighbour.
While. inevitably. there are those who find her ramblings less than endearing. her tour has provoked a generally positive response from audience and critics alike. Maybe.
relief from the dark cynicism associated with humour and a wee nudge in the direction of everyday happiness. Or maybe we just want our laughter to be a bit easier to digest.
So what does the future hold for a youngling so earnest in her ambitions? ‘l‘m not in a great rush to be on
83-24" MARCH l 07
www.3lasgowcomdyhotivol.com
20 THE LIST 1—15 Mar 2007