SlANDUP FRED MACAULAY Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 28 Jun
They say a person’s character is formed by the time they’re seven. According to Fred MacAulay, his was pretty much good to go by age five. ‘Back then I was making up stories and telling lies to amuse people. And 45 years on I’m doing exactly the same thing.’ Proof of MacAulay’s tall tales can be seen in his stand-up show, which is coming to Edinburgh at the end of a two-month Scottish tour. The presenter of Radio Scotland’s morning show, MacAuIay & Co, and guest joker on TV shows like Mock the Week, has dug out his primary one school jotter, and blown it up for a slide show that reveals an early flair for fabricating stories. ‘lt’s not fabrication, it’s utter shite!’ he corrects. ‘I claim to have been fishing. How many five-year- olds do you know who go fishing? I’d never been anywhere near a rod in
my life.’
If lies don’t work, the pally Perthshire man, known for affable, quick-on- his-toes banter, has other ways of getting laughs. In the past he’s flashed his bum in a sketch show with Ally McCoist, sung on Fame Academy and performed stand-up wearing a polka dot dress. ‘That was before Eddie lzzard started doing it though. I suspect he was in the crowd that night and
nicked my idea.’
When this tour wraps up, it’s back to his second and third loves (after stand-up), live radio and TV. But he’s looking forward to August when, as with every year, he and his wife will ditch Glasgow to rent an Edinburgh flat for two weeks, cramming in as many Festival shows as humanly possible. ‘I wouldn’t miss it. But this year the kids aren’t allowed to share. I was an angry dad last year. They were coming in as l was leaving for the radio show. That just made me jealous.’ (Claire Sawers)
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
Jason Rouse Brel. 3‘) 4.3 Ashton l.ane. 342 4‘)(i(i. 7.30pm. £6. ('anadian whirlwind Rouse is back in Scotland to whip your minds into shape with some rapier sharp wit. I’ur! oft/iv 112's! Ifm/ I'i'slit'ul.
46 THE LIST 1‘.) Jun (3. Jul 9008
The Thursday Show The Stand. 333 \Voodlands Road. 0870 600 (3055. 8.30pm. £7 (£6: members £3). llost Brttce l)ey'lin will add some colour to your cheeks this 'l"hursday ey‘ening. along with Jason Rouse. Aaron ('ounter. Jojo Sutherland and Rab Brown. I’urr of" [he Wm! Ifm/ I't’.\’ll\'(l/.
Comedy in the Conservatory l.ansdowne Bar. 7a l.andsdowne Crescent. 334 4653. 9pm. The l.andsdowne hosts a special comedy night. in honour of the West lind celebrations. featuring a concoction of new talent. Purl oft/iv lli's'l liml l-k'slii‘ul.
Edinburgh
Comedy at Belushi’s Belushi's. 9 .Market Street. 226 I446. 8pm. The latest comedy night to hit the lidinburgh scene launches with a promising line-up: .Martin McAllister. Daniel Webster. Teddy and M(' Billy Kirkwood. £l off on the door if yott tell a joke. Heresy 'l‘he Jekyll & llyde. 1 l2 Hanover Street. 225 2022. 9pm. £3. Rick Molland’s den of inequity 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: 3 members). Mighty Raymond of Mearns comperes the hell out of the night. which features sterling work from Marian Pashley. .\'iall Browne and Dec ('ustance.
Glasgow
British Red Cross Refugee
Week Comedy Night 'l’ron 'l‘heatre. (i3 'l'rongate. 552 42(i7. 8pm. £14 (£10). The majestic Stephen K Amos performs a gig on World Refugee Day to help raise funds for the British Red (‘ross. (‘ould there be a w'orthier night of comedy"? Certainly not one this good. I’m! ()I‘Rtf/irg’t’t' lli't'k.
Jongleurs Comedy Club
Jongleurs. l‘(i(‘ Building. ll Renfrew Street. 0870 787 0707. 8pm. £12. Jongleurs produces a treat of comedians otlt of its hat: (‘raig ('ampbell. Rob Rouse. (iordon Southern and \Yindsor. no less. l'iorget ye not that the ticket price includes the clth afterwards. The Stand The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 (i()() (3055. 8.30pm. £9 t£8: members £5). It's the weekend in Glasgow and what better company to spend it in than that of host Vladimir Mc'l'ayish. who w ill be presenting the talents of Jason Rouse. Aaron (‘ounter.
Jojo Sutherland and (berry (ireen. I’url of
[111' lii’sl Iz'ml I'i’ylrt‘uL
Edinburgh
Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()mni ('entre. (ireenside Place. 08707 870707. 8pm. £1 l. Hop on board the Jongleurs carayan. with well-known names such as ('hris ('airns. .\'inia Benjamin. ('raig Hill and Alistair Barrie to make you laugh. lintry includes dancing afterwards until silly o‘clock in the morning.
The Stand The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. ()pm. £‘) (£8: members £5). Raymond Mearns lords it oy‘er a defenseless audience. as he hosts a weekend of contcdy gold courtesy of Marian Pashley. Stti & (tarry. Andrew Stanley and Keyin Shepherd.
Glasgow Ifallafalot The Hidden Lane (‘afe 'l‘heatre. l 103 Argyle Street. 8pm. £5 tincluding falafel). A nonsensically natned comedy night always bodes well and with a host natned ('osmic (‘olin and a selection of other stuff. how could it be anything other than. utnm. cosmic. BYOB. I’ur! oft/Iv lli’s‘! Ifm/ I'i's’lit'ul. Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. l'(}(‘ Building. ll Renfrew Street. 0870 787 0707. 8pm. £15. See l‘ri 20. Comedy @ The State The State Bar. 148 llolland Street. 332 215‘). 9pm. £5. The State Bar basement has long been the home to top yalue. top-quality comedy. Pop down to see why it's the comedian's comedy haunt with a weekly line-up that always promises a bargain night of entertaimnent. The Stand The Stand. 333 \\'oodlands Road. 0870 000 (i055. 9pm. £12. See Hi 20.
Edinburgh Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()mni ('entre. (ireenside Place. 08707
870707. 8pm. £14. See l-'ri 20. The Stand The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £12. See Hi 20.
Glasgow
Ha Ha Raw Comedy ly'ory llotel. Langside Ayenue. Shawlands. 8.30pm. A beautiful night of new comedy talent. led by a professional headliner and M('. tucked in the heart of the Shawland. 'l'he line-ups change weekly. but always get there early for a seat. Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service The Stand. 333 \‘y'oodlands Road, 0870 600 (3055. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £1 ). Sunday night regular Michael Redmond drips comedy wellbeing over his dey'ottt audience as he introduces Aaron ('ounter. Jojo Sutherland. l)erek Johnston. Daye lleffron and Jim Park. I’urt oft/1c this! [5nd I'i's'll'l'uL
Edinburgh
Whose Lunch is it Anyway? The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 1pm. The legendary lunchtime show continues to entertain the troops for free. thanks to the imprm‘isational talents of Stu & (iarry. There’s hot food available. And beer. Lots of beer. The Sunday Night Laugh-In The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 t£4; members £1 ). You may as well end the week with some laughter. with none other than chipper host Joe lleenan to lighten your mood. With a line-up of funny boys: John (iillick. Andrew Stanley. Rab Brown. .\'ick Morrow and Daniel Sloss.
Glasgow
Dance, Monkey Boy, Dance The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 (300 (>055. 8.30pm. £4. 'l'here'll be sketches. songs and stand-up from the Monkey Boys just go along and see what all the fuss is about. l‘eaturing Raymond Mearns. Allen ('halmers and Paul Pirie. l’m‘l aft/Iv lli's‘l [ind I't’.\'lll'll/.
Magners Comedy Monday Mc('huills. 40 High Street. 552 2135. 8.15pm. £2 (£1 ). lmprobabble cheer tip Mondays in (ilasgow with some of their quick—wilted. iinproyised japes. (‘ome ready with suggestions: they might just ask you for some ideas and silence is just plain awkward.
Edinburgh
Fit 0’ The Giggles Absolute Beginners 'l‘he 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 lind of lidinburgh. [f you fancy a shot then etnail
litothegigglesm googlemail.com
Red Raw The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2. Once more unto the breach step a gaggle of new comedians. wobbling like Bambi onto the comedy stage. \Yith host Scott Agnew and headliner Andrew Stanley.
Glasgow
Red Raw The Stand. 333 \Voodlttntls Road. 0870 600 (i055. 8.30pm. £2 till members). (iawk at a selection of people who reckon they'ye got what it takes to be a comedian. \Yith Billy Kirkwood and
Andrew Stanley overseeing proceedings. I’url ()fl/lt’ lli’s’l Ifm/ ['i’slirul. Edinburgh
Midweek Comedy Special The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 (£2.50). lt may be a Tuesday but that‘s no reason not to have a lovely time. especially when Susan Morrison is introducing the phenomenal line—up of the Reverend ()badiah Steppenwolfe lll. Teddy and Antony Murray.