‘MY AUDIENCE IS PREDOMINANTLY MADE UP OF LARGE BEARDED MEN'
Funnylady
lf.comedy best newcomer nominee Zoe Lyons talks to Sandra Marron about Glasgow humour and the joys of performing in an all-female line-up at Glasgay!
he (ilasgay! comedy vvagon rolls back into
tovvn this year vvith a cargo of comedic talent
for your pleasure. Wicked Hem-lies features Lucy Porter. AL Kennedy. Stisan (‘alman and the utterly charming Zoe Lyons. a finalist on (‘hannel 4‘s So You Think You're Funny. (ioing on reputations alone. an evening of the side-splitting variety seems guaranteed.
Lyons is notably the only gay vvoman in the line—up. but feels this has no real significance vvhen it comes to her comedy. ‘I don‘t necessarily talk about being gay onstage because it‘s an aspect of my life but it isn't my entirety.‘ she says. ‘I can do 30 minutes. 40 minutes vvithout even mentioning it. If I do. i hope I do it in a really light-hearted vvayf
When Lyons does talk about the ‘g‘ vvord onstage. she avoids the usual tmimaginative jokes such as the one about the lesbian bringing a removal van on her second date. ‘l'm gay. I take the piss out of myself; I take the piss out of gay people: I take the piss out of everything and I hope I do it in such a vvay that people leave thinking: “()kay vve have more in common than we have differences".’
The all-female line-up is rare on the comedy circuit and Lyons admits that it can be hard being a female stand-up. ‘I think a lot of people think that if you‘re a female comedian then you are automatically a bitter
angry vvoman. It's just not like the cliche of the man- hating lesbian comedianf
Lyons has been on the circuit for just four years. performing her first solo shovv at this year's lidinburgh Fringe vvhich earned her a best nevvcomer nomination for the llIcomcdy avvards an accolade she describes as ‘such a delight. a real delight and I vvas genuinely surprised. I don't knovv if you have ever been genuiner gobsmacked. it‘s the most beautiful thing. I cried like a baby vv hen I found out.'
Having spent her youth in (ilasgovv. Lyons is very attuned to Scottish humour and (ilasgoyv audiences. ‘The thing about (iiasgovv is. the average person you meet on the street is far funnier than I'll ever be. I‘ve vvorked in factories in (ilasgovv vvith vvomen on package lines vv ho are hilarious. It‘s just in the rhythm. the Use of language. lt's poetry and it's in the vvay they speak. They are very. very funny peoplef
Lyons is looking forvvard to being in front of a gay audience again at (ilasgayl "My audience is predominantly made up of large bearded men in vests and they are jUst fabulotis. (ireat fun. You can get avvay vvith murder — they really are jtist tip for a laugh.‘
The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 7 Nov.
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THE BEST LGBT EVENTS
:2: Scott Capurro’s Premature Gift lin- fsgui ilitlllinv Till"t,llltl,". u in“ k. .‘.’5ii‘ .2 matt- . virtual, illii for (ilastiv ).'., ll‘w Uni/kl, (Misty at.
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:2: Robopop Trendy Wendy and pals visit Edinburgh's newest gay venue every Thursday with a bag-full of records. GHQ, Edinburgh, weekly, Thursdays.
:2: Carol Laula & Band Back at Glasgay! after her sell-out show last year, Laula returns with her spell—binding folk sounds. This concert showcases songs from her new untitled album. St Andrews in the Square, Glasgow, Fri 2 Nov. :2: Stick It In My Party Hole An alternative look at the whole party scene as seen through the eyes of a kooky, maniac hostess who likes a bit of a twisted night in. C) Gallery, Glasgow, Sat 3 Nov.
:3: The Big Gay Prom For all those people who felt excluded from their high school dances due to their sexuality this one is for you. St Andrews in the Square, Glasgow, Fri 9 Nov.
:2: Utter Gutter To celebrate three years of giving the alternative queer scene what they want, Utter Gutter are throwing a Cock, Rock and Frock Fancy Dress Party. Madame S, IJay Sin and DJ Bitch! spin the tunes. The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Sat 70 Nov.
Hm DJ Michelle finishes the weekend with her unique brand of cross-over anthems and future classics. GHQ. Edinburgh, weekly, Sundays.
"I ’.',. ' THE LIST 57