spirited. however. and she and the rest of the cast have a whale of a time giving it wings. (Sam Healy) Sweet Tet-int. 0870 24/ 0136. until 24 Aug. 6.50pm. 18—1850 ([7—£7.50).
James Dowdeswell oo A perfectly likeable chap with a decent story to tell about his experience of being at a school which had a near-Columbine incident and its strange aftermath. this is an hour about how it‘s tough being nice. Perhaps it is simply easier to find and write comedy from the darkest of places. for there are few jokes here that hit you in the gut. (Brian Donaldson) Underbelly. 0844 545 8252. until 24 Aug. 7.55pm. £9—£10.50(fit—£9.50).
James Sherwood oo Sherwood could be the love child of Victoria Wood and Richard Whiteley. a not so wild fusion of bland complacent chuckles set to music accompanied by smug smatterings. lt's clever in places. but it‘s really all over before you‘ve noticed. lt'll have you not so tnuch on the edge of your seat as slipping down the back of the couch. (Jill Peacock) Halymod 'lim @‘ Faith. 225 9764. until 24 Aug. 6pm. [6.
Jamie Kilstein 00 Hey. you know what would be a novel idea for a comedy show‘.’ Taking pot-shots at the God-fearing American right from a left- wing perspective! Kilstein evidently thinks his scattergun approach to Republicans and organised religion is edgy. and maybe it is in America's heartlands. But when Jon Stewart offers us superior TV material and Bush parodies himself. better than anyone else ever could. it's time for change. (Iimma Newlands) The (:‘RV. 220 2987. until 24 Aug. 5. I 5pm. £8.50-£9.50
( [750-18. 50).
Jason John Whitehead ooo
The laid-back Whitehead. defined by his rock apparel and sleepy eyes claims to have worked hard over this year‘s show: ‘it's got a theme; it‘s about being a comedian.‘ This is typical of the Canadian’s easy-going style and enjoyable performance. but don't be fooled. his mind may be fuzzy but his material can be deceptively cutting. (Emma Lennox) Underbelly. 0844 545 8252. until 24 Aug. 8pm. £9.50—[l I .50 ( £8. 50-£l 0. 50 ). John Hegley O.“ Hegley strides the stage like a sexy English teacher berating an audience of children and adults alike and urging us tojoin in at key points. Hegley doesn't disappoint with a show (loosely) working through the alphabet and employing animal themes as threads for his trademark gloriously oddball poetry. Rest assured. it‘s only a few minutes before he mentions l.uton and the potato but leaves the rousing dog material until the end. (Marissa Burgess) Pleasanee Courtyard, 556 6550. until 2.5 Aug. 11.50am. [1050—14 [.50 (£748). Joke-e-oke O.” This strangely simple but effective pub game lets punters try out their favourite comedian's routine. with help from an autocue. Just like karaoke. a mix of real talent and boozy have-a-go heroes come out the woodwork to copy Richard Pryor. Dylan Moran or booby-prize Bernard Manning. Wrong accents or new twists seem to work especially well. Don‘t be surprised if the mini-craze spreads to a bar near you sometime soon. (Claire Sawers) The (IRV. 220 2987. until 24 Aug. 9pm. free.
Jollie one Two Durham Revue fellas John and Ollie whose names slot
together so well they form another word entirely. also form a tightly written and intelligently thought out double act. The inevitable friction between the pair -- sharing a girlfriend and John's greater success spills over into their songs and sketches of homosexual Vikings. an animal loving scientist and bumbling spies. (Marissa Burgess) (x'nilerlwlly. 0844 545 8252. until 24 Aug. 2.35pm.
[8. 50 "[9. 50 (£7. 50 [8. 50).
Junk Band Story: Uh?! oo
‘Uh'.’!' is right. Billed as music. comedy and martial arts. in reality it‘s a bewildering musical comedy played on instruments assembled from junk (think Stump with a glue gun). The show is cobbled together from comedic skits. tantalisineg brief acrobatics and a 20- minute musical medley to finish. But while the coke bottle piano et al are inspired and the cast of five heavily- accented South Koreans clearly talented the whole falls apart at the seams. (Suzanne Black) l't'et'tnus‘nn '.v Hall. 220 0143, until 25 Aug. [0.30pm. [l2-~-£l4 (£10 [1]).
Learn to Play the Ukulele in Under an Hour 0.. ‘The ukulele is the cure for depression‘. claim Sam and Donal. your specialist historians and ukulele instructors for the day. With at Dave (iorman-style slideshow of whimsical adventure. it‘s the audience members that create the soundtrack with provided instruments. Sometimes this newly formed band‘s enthusiasm detracts from the onstage nonsense. but at least it suggests that Sam and Donal might just be right. (limma Lennox) (ii/(led Balloon 'Ievint. 668 I633. until 25 Aug. 5.45pm. £94.40 ([8 [9).
Limmy’s Show 0.. Liminy presents a trademark show of stand-up and internet tinkering with video messages from some oddball acquaintances. the dissection of an ad for fish fingers and some gay porn featuring ( 'nmnatiun Street’s Betty. There are some great ideas here and his pedantic deconstructions are skilled but sadly a mean-spirited bitterness cuts through the show leaving an underlying feeling of discomfort. (Marissa Burgess) The Stand III d} [if 558 7272. until 24 Aug. 4.30pm. £8 ( [7).
Literally “0. Taking an admirably no-prisoners stance against the abuse and misuse of the word ‘literally'. Paul Parry delivers his anecdotes and research tongue-in-cheek (though not literally). llis smart. dry humour and l":-style subversive pedantry combine with his (iormanesque tales of an eccentric. unpredictable and far-flung journey just to prove a point. (limma Newlands) The Zoo, 662 6892. until 25 Aug (m)! 24). 7.55pm. £7.50— [9 ( 1650-18).
Madame with an ‘E’ ooo
Madame is a scrawny. dirty puppet who bears an uncanny likeness to Joan Rivers. As unappealing as she may sound. the ageing showgirl's rampant filth and alcoholism has a rather endearing quality. Her puppeteer whisks her around a decaying Hollywood and saccharine pop- world party complete with Paris digs and a Boy George battering. lixpect gynojokes and old-hag gags aplenty.
(Rosalie Doubal) Royal ('nllege of Surgeons. 527 I562. until 25 Aug. 10.15pm. [I2 ([9).
Men with Bananas ooo Hairy men Dave (the Chameleon) and Mark (the
Bear) have bananas. The bananas are not really necessary. but they‘re squidgy and look like penises. which is more than enough to qualify them for this endearineg stupid show. The whole thing is carried off by the ad-libbing and enthusiasm of two self-described ‘original knobs‘ who you feel should know better. (Jonny Iinsall) (ii/(led Balloon Teviut. 668 I 633. until 25 Aug. I 0.30pm. [8.50~£9.50 ( £7. 50 -[8. 50).
Philip Escofley 0000 It’s altnost impossible to criticise this show frotn ‘mind—reader’ extraordinaire liscof'fey unless you simply refuse to buy into this entertainment sub—genre and are blind to the sights he lays before your eyes. Perhaps the only downside is that the content and style of Six IItt/mss‘iltlt’ Things Before Dinner will be familiar to anyone who‘s seen Derren Brown live in action. But everyone should experience a chill at his bewilderineg brilliant finale. (Brian Donaldson) I’leasanee Dome. 556 6550. until 25 Aug. 5.20pm. 1.8501950 (£7 [8).
Pluck O... A brilliant mix of high comedy. astonishing musicianship and a touch of romance. Pluck give its a re- imagined telling of the musicians who stayed behind on the Titanic in spite of a strange intruder. string rivalry. and well. the obvious sinking of the vessel on which they are playing. It‘s funny. musical. and not the least bit sad. t('armody Wilson) l’leusanee ( ‘uurtyanl. 556 6550. until 25 Aug. 4.40pm. [/0- [ll ( [8. 50-- [9. 50).
Raymond Mearns ooo Mearns is a formidable character. an apoplectic hurricane of bluster as he details his exploits on the cruise ship comedy circuit. fatnin life and other unrelated topics. The gathering rage whips up momentum but the punchlines often fail to land. He's not as shocking as he thinks he is. and is at his best when his vulnerability shines through. in his words. ‘like a Furby‘. (Suzanne Black) The Stand III & IV. 558 7272. until 24 Aug. 7.40pm. £8 ([7). Sally-Anne Hayward 0. You want to like Hayward as she is a capable performer and pleasingly game when handling a tiny crowd. but her flimsy tale about village life borders on anorexic. ller all-too frequent poser: ‘And you know what happened next'." sounds like an exhausted parent making up at bedtime story on the hoof rather than a professional at ease with her fable.
(Brian Donaldson) Hulvt‘uml 'lim (0‘ I’aith. 225 9764. until 24 Aug. 4pm. £5 ([4).
7 Sins .0. Limelight-loving. fabulous and about as butch as Dorothy‘s dog Toto. San Francisco comedian James Judd's fate was inevitable from the day his tnum paid him to act out soaps she‘d missed. In a breathless hour. with quick Martini stops. he acts out annoying teacher's pets from his schooldays. and (‘hinese businessmen who took him to a whorehouse by mistake. A natural born storyteller. with a likeably bitchy edge. ((‘lairc Sawers) (ii/(led [fit/limit 'Ii't'lnl. 668 I 633. until 25 Aug. 3pm. [9 £10 ([819).
Shitty Deal Puppet Theatre Company .0. This low-tech. frantic and ingenious wee show uses Action Man. plastic dinosaurs and teenage-goth panda bear puppets to act out scenes from art history and blockbuster films. Luckily it moves too
fast to dwell on the less funny jokes. but cameos from a pirate Jesus. cuddly gollywog and fluffy Silence of the Lambs extra make for 40 minutes of toy-box raiding anarchic fun. (Claire Sawers) The Vault. 510 0022. until 25 Aug. [2.l5atn. [8 ( [6).
Slap, Tickle and Squeak o
if this show carries any profitable message for its audience. it‘s that all improvised comedy performances should carry a warning. Using every drama teacher's game in the book. the trio present sketches and freaks in a poor adaptation of Iidwardian vaudeville. liking out almost no laughs. both cast and audience became visibly uncomfortable toward the finale. (Natalie Woolman) Baby Belly. 0844 545 8252. until 24 Aug. 5.15pm. £9-—£10(£8—£9). Sound & Fury 0... Forcing your audience to participate from the off. to the extent of having them read the first lines of your play. is pretty risky. Fortunately. l.A-based Sound & Fury tnuster this feat with shambolic charm. limploying iambic pentameter. flouncey costutnes and broad farce. their infectious energy is well-received by a small but game audience. (Murray Robertson) (ii/(led Balloon 'Ievint. 668 I633. until 25 Aug. 7pm. [9--£/() ([819).
Summat an’ Nowt 00 Olivia Neville has got a rich cache of characters and uses her talents well. but one can't help but feel that she‘s wasted an opportunity here to really lampoon Lancashire. The title of the show suggests something other than the amusing sketches she performs. giving false hope instead for a stand-up set based on eccentricities of her northern provenance. ((‘armody Wilson) l.'tulerlu'lly. 0844 545 8252. until 24 Aug. 2.50pm. [8. 50—19. 50 (£7.50 [8. 50). Vladimir McTavish ooo In addition to generating plenty of laughs. the oddly monikered Glasgow-born comedian‘s new list-based show makes fora very serviceable and satirical potted history of Scotland. By nature of being a top 50 (Greatest Scots liver/L McTavish's list is far from exhaustive. but the acerbic comic touches on all the obvious names and some obscure ones -- and makes smart and amusing links between many of his targets.
(Miles Fielder) The Stand 1]. 558 7272. until 24 Aug. 6.40pm. £8 ([7).
Why We Ate Cliff Richard
O. A two-hander disaster story. this is a frantic set which at best resembles the shouty. anarchic energy of The Young Ones. but ultitnately fails because of poor writing and uninventive plotting. llank Marvin‘s flashy riffs hold things together and a celebratory ending almost makes up for its weaknesses. (limma Lennox) I’leasanee ( 'nurtyanl. 556 6550. until 25 Aug. 2. /5pm. £8. 50--£9. 50 (17-18).
The Worst Zoo in Britain 0
This suffers the quandary of being an interesting tale. told by an uninteresting storyteller. Welsh stand—up. Tudur ()wen. describes in painfully slow detail how his family came to be the first and last zoo keepers on the island of Anglesey. ()wen has been witness to tnany strange events in his childhood. but he seems incapable of bringing any humour to them.
(liinma Lennox) The Zoo. 662 6892, until 25 Aug. 5. I 5pm. £7 ( [5).
21 Aug—4 Sep 2008 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 83