Keir McAllister and _ Rev Obadiah are damn fine comics
Nrw comrov NIGHl D.A.M. FINE COMEDY
Gramofon Bistro, Glasgow, Thu 22 May & 5 Jun
New comedy nights emerge and disappear in Scotland every year, but to acknowledge a mea culpa, few are noticed by the media. Regardless, undeterred comics are increasingly becoming comedy promoters, nipping at The Stand and Jongleurs’ central belt hegemony with regular nights in bars and back rooms. A great little night like the Brick Wit House in Glasgow can still founder simply because the bar itself goes under, but the general flow of gigs in both cities seems set to continue outpacing the ebb, with local talent continually popping up elsewhere to meet the burgeoning demand for live
laughter.
Seeking to establish itself in the Merchant City, D.A.M. Fine Comedy has a better pedigree and prospects than most. Mind you, if it’s sod’s law that a critic plans to review only your second gig, it’s an utter git's commandment that it will then be cancelled due to electrics failure in the bistro upstairs; yet he’ll write about you all the same. Taking place fortnightly in Gramofon’s basement, Downstairs at Mine is booked by stand-up Mike Adams, who maintains that ‘it’s a cracking comedy space, like a really, really big living room. It’s perfectly square and we can seat about 40 people, 50 or 60 at a
push)
More intimate than The Stand, yet more salubrious than The State Bar, D.A.M. Fine really plugs a gap in the market. Opening night was headlined by the consistently underrated and unpredictable at close quarters Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe Ill and the 22 May show features the unshakeable ebullience of compere Billy Kirkwood, cheerfully coarse Keir McAllister, fresh- faced Kim Griffin and the rather less so Graham Mackie. Former Scottish Comedian of the Year Mark Nelson headlines on 5 June, with assured compere Scott Agnew, animated Aussie Ro Campbell, promising Chris Forbes and droll, self-deprecating ginger Barry McDonald. (Jay Richardson)
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to comedy@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Sian Bevan. Indicates Listpicks entry
Glasgow D.A.M. Fine Comedy (iramofon Bislt‘o. 7 King Street. 553 7177. £7 (£6). 8pm. 'l'op new fortnightly night of fun and frolics of the stand-up variety. See preview. Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. 1,'(i(‘ Building. 1 l Renfrevv Street. 0870 7870707. 8pm. £8. .-\ line-up of comedians with names like 1)Js through the history of radio: Phil Walker. Richard Morton and Kojo. (iood food. good
comedy and the disco thing afterwards. The Thursday Show The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road, 08706006055. 8.30pm. £7 (£6; members £3). Markus Birdman. John Ross, (ierry .\1c1)ade and Derek I)evine all take to the stage under the supervision of .\1(' Susan Calman. fora lovely Thursday night of joy.
Edinburgh Heresy The Jekyll & Hyde. 1 l2 Hanover Street. 225 2022. 9pm. £3. Rick Molland’s den of iniquity welcomes another load of comedians unleashing the darkest pieces of material they can think of.
The Thursday Show The Stand. 5
York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £7 (£6; members £3). A very Scottish. probably by accident. line-up headed by compere Raymond Mearns and headliner Bruce Morton. With (ireg Mcllugh and l.a/,yhand also there in body and spirit.
Glasgow
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. UGC Building. 1 l Renfrew Street. 0870 787 0707. 8pm. £12. See Thu 22.
The Stand The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £9 (£8; members £5). Yay for the weekend and a night of top comedy hosted by Susan Morrison. This weekend's line-up have travelled from across the land to entertain you: Anvil Springstien. Markus Birdman. (ierry McDade and Derek I)evine.
Edinburgh Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()mni Centre. (ireensidc Place. ()8707 870707. 8.15pm. £1 1. If you fancy some raucous comedy with a few chips and a disco on the side then hop on the Jongleurs train. This weekend sees the talents of Simon Clayton. Parrot and Tom Stade put to the test.
The Stand The Stand. 5 York
Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £9 (£8; members £5). MC Raymond Mearns rolls up for a heady weekend of hedonistic fun to fill your heads with comedy. With fabulous performers Bruce Morton. (ireg McHugh. the musical 1.a/.yhand and Carly Baker.
Glasgow
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs, 1F(i(‘ Building. 1 l Renfrew Street. 0870 7870707. 8pm. £15. See Thu 22. Comedy @ The State The State Bar. 1-18 Holland Street. 332 215‘). 9pm. £5. Chris Broomlield oversees this cosy basement gig. with headliner Neil .Vlcli‘arlane entertaining the troops along with a concoction of special guests. The Stand The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 6006055. 9pm. £12. See Fri
23.
Edinburgh
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()mni Centre, (ireenside Place. 08707 870707. 8.15pm. £14. See Fri 23.
The Stand The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £12. See Fri 23.
Glasgow Bank Holiday Special The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £8 (£6). Another day of fun and frolics from Anvil Springstien. Markus Birdman. (ierry McDade. Derek I)evine and host Michael Redmond.
Ha Ha Raw Comedy Ivory Hotel. Langside Avenue. Shawlands. 8.30pm. A beautiful night of new comedy talent. headed up by a professional headliner and MC. tucked in the heart of the Shawlands. The line-ups change weekly. but always get there early for a seat.
Edinburgh
Whose Lunch is it Anyway? The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 1pm. Mope on down to The Stand and allow improv lords Stu and (ian‘y to whisk you away to a magical land where two grown men will act out anything you tell them to. Bliss. There's hot food and all.
Bank Holiday Special The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272.
8.30pm. £8 (£6). Stretch out the weekend a little bit further as Bruce Morton. (ireg McHugh. Lazyhand and Carly Baker perform an extra date in celebration of doing nothing. With MC Raymond Mearns.
Glasgow
Magners Comedy Monday McChuiIls. ~10 High Street. 552 2135. 8.15pm. £2 (£1 ). Improbabble cheer up Mondays in (ilasgow with some of their quick-witted. improvised japes. Come ready with suggestions; they might just
Seymour Mace You may have seen this droll chap on Johnny Vegas' Ideal but he has a life outside of that too, you know. This gentle yet oddly sinister lad warms up for his upcoming Fringe stint at the very same establishment. The Stand, Edinburgh, Thu 29—Sat 37 May
Bruce Morton He‘s probably sick and tired and annoyed at being dubbed the Godfather of Scottish comedy“ all day long, but we’re happy to keep bugging him with such glowing praise. The Stand, Edinburgh, Thu 22—Sun 25 May; Cruz, Edinburgh, Fri 30 May.
D.A.M. Fine Comedy A new comedy fortnight show which we are hoping will go the distance. See preview. Gramofon Bistro, Glasgow, Thu 22 May & 5 Jun.
Daniel Kitson Mr grumpy pants continues to keep his fans smiling through their own personal gloom. How on earth does he do it? The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 2 8. Tue 3 Jun.
Kevin Bridges One of the brightest young Scottish sparks on the circuit shows off more of that thrusting promise for the punters down Leith way. Cruz, Edinburgh, Mon 2 Jun.
ask you for some ideas and silence is just plain awkward.
Dance, Monkey Boy, Dance The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £4. The comedy train keeps on chugging away from the popular Monkey Boys: Allen Chalmers. Paul Pirie and Raymond Mearns. lmprov. sketches and comedy galore.
Edinburgh
Fit 0’ the Giggles Absolute Beginners The Mercat. 28 West Maitland Street. 225 3861. 8.30pm. £2. MC Keara Murphy introduces a selection of new acts with an experienced headliner. bringing comedy to the West [ind of Edinburgh. If you fancy a shot then email litothegigglesefigooglemailcom
Red Raw The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2. The bubbling volcano of new talent that is Red Raw erupts every Monday in an explosion of bargain comedy. Tonight you‘ll even be treated to entertainment from professionals Greg Mcllugh and liric Lalor.
Glasgow
Red Raw The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road, ()870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £2 (£1 members). See Mon 26.
22 May—5 Jun 2008 THE LIST 43