SIANI) UP RAYMOND MEARNS The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 27 Jan
“a"
‘curious that I don’t enjoy that onstage rapport in real life. I’ve been with my wife 23 years and the other day she told me “I want that guy. I want what you give
If you’ve only witnessed Raymond Meams on roistering compering duty, then you’ve barely experienced the burly Glaswegian’s skill with a well-spun anecdote. ‘I feel I can get a lot better if I get the opportunity to do longer sets,’ he says of Shaggy Dog Stories, his first Scottish tour in a 15-year comedy career. ‘When I relax and tart about, it’s amazing, anything can happen. I might die on my hole occasionally but it’s great living in the moment.’
A brusquely articulate juggernaut on stage, the 41- year-old, whose first gig at Ed Byme's Comedy Cellar
audiences”. I reckon crowds pick up on that dysfunction, thinking “Jesus, I thought I had problems until I saw him”.’
Roles in Ken Loach’s Ae Fond Kiss and It’s a Free World, plus sitcom appearances in Legit and the recent Rab C Nesbitt Christmas comeback ensure he ‘gets recognised sometimes. But I’ve one of those faces that suggests “do not approach”.’ Nevertheless, he turns cinematic leading man later this year, as a wannabe actor in Next Time Ned. ‘lt’s a bit too real, to be honest,’ he confesses. ‘I am Ned to an extent, because I’m not
came just three weeks after he underwent open heart surgery, is endearingly vulnerable in conversation, dismissive of the self-justifying ‘pish’ of comics, yet
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to comedyfilistcoxk. Listings are compiled by Sian Bevan. Indicates Hitlist entry
Glasgow
The Thursday Show 'Ihe Stand.
333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). M(‘ Bruce Devlin presents a fine. if mildly suneal line-up. (lo and enter the varied and confusing worlds of Dave Johns. Wil Hodgson and Paul Pine.
Edinburgh
HeresyThe Jekyll & Hyde. I I2 Ilanover Street. 225 2022. 9pm. 13. And so the Heresy train continues. choo- chooing into ever darker depths of depraved comedy. Not for the feint— hearted.
Fit 0’ The Gigyes The Mercat. 28 West Maitland Street. 225 386I. 9pm. £5 (£3). A change of day and a change of line-up. as the night previously known as
38THEUST22Jan—5Feb2m9
‘Absolute Beginners' turns to a more experienced line-up for a classy night of comedy entertainment.
The Thursday Show The Stand.
5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Start the weekend early. as host Joe lleenan introduces the magnificent Reginald I) Hunter. (iary Little, Nick (‘oppin and (‘arly Baker. (iet there early for a chance to sample the offerings from The Stand kitchen.
Glasgow Club Jongleurs. ll(}(‘ Building. I I Renfrew Street. 0870 787 0707. 8pm. £I2. Brendan Riley. Nick Doody. Johnny Candon and Jeff Innocent gather together
the most emotionally intelligent guy. There’s some tremendously funny bits, but we really plunge him into darkness, make him suffer.‘ (Jay Richardson)
in the spirit of unity. face the hecklcs and rise to a higher comedy plane. 'Ihere‘s dancing after for free. with music and everything.
The Shnd 'llie Stand. 333
Woodlands Road. 0870 600 (i055. 8.30pm. £l0 (£9; members £5). Sec 'Ibu
Edinburgh Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. ()nini (‘entre. (ireenside Place. 08707 870707. 8pm. U I. Don‘t just sit their feeling blue. go and grab some hot food. watch some comedy then go dancing til the wee hours for one ticket price. With Kevin Md‘anhy. Ava Vidal. Alex Boardman and Sandy Nelson. See Profile on Vidal. page 3‘).
The Shad 'Ihc Stand. 5 York
Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £l0 (£9; members £5) See 'Ihu 22.
Glasgow Club Jongleurs. U(i(‘ Building. I I Renfrew Street. 0870 787 0707. 8pm. £I5. See Fri 23.
e The State 'lIie Stale Hat.
I48 Holland Street. 333 3l5‘l. ‘lpui. £5 Resident M(‘ "Hie Raiii' ('Iins Bruiiiifield. (irahaiii llarkins. up and coming lain Johnson. music comedy with Tommy McKayc and Aussie iuotonuoutli headliner Ro (‘aiiipbell
The Shad The Stand. 333
Woodlands Road. 0870 (‘00 (‘055 ‘lpm. £l3. See Jim 22. Woodlands Bumper Value Comedy
Club l‘isge Beallia. 3 33 340 Woodlands
Road. 501 I590. ”put. it» (£4). M(' Alan Anderson introduces a selection of fine
comedy talent each week. for those who like their weekend laughs lor fewer
pennies.
Edinburgh Burns Reloaded ('orn lixchaligc. | I New Market Road. 477 3500 7pm 2am.
£40. Promising all the lun of a traditional Burns supper but iii a reused and revitalised formal. Burns Reloaded returns to raise funds for ('liildreii Isl. In addition to a three course dinner. ceilidli and drinks reception there will he entertainment including Robbie Shepherd's Nightmare Band. (‘oiupered by comedians Bnice Devlin and Siisan Morrison. Dress: smart attire. Please book via 0| 3| 3l‘) 8077 or etIiiibiirgli(U‘cIiildren l st .orguk. Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleiirs. ()mni (‘enlre. (ireenside Place. 08707 870707. 8pm. £l4. See Hi 23.
The Shad The Stand. 5 York
Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £ I 3. See 'l’hu 22.
Glasgow
Bums Night Special The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 (i055. 8.30pm. £7 (£5). Woll down your Iiaggis. neeps and tallies and run down to Jim Stand for some fine Scottish comedy. Raise a drain in honour of Vladimir Mc'l'avish, (Iary Little. Phil Differ. Rab Brown and M(‘ Bnice Devlin.
Edinburgh
Whose Lunch is it Anywaf.’ 'Ilie Stand. 5 York l’lace. 558 7272. lpiii. Stu and (Barry offer a Sunday afternoon treat: a couple of hours of improvised comedy in a darkened room. 'Iliere's also food and pop. What more could you need? Burns Night Special 'Ilie Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £7 (£5). A selection of the best of Scottish circuit comedy. in honour of Rahbie. in what will be a comedy night of poetical beauty. Only with no poetry. Perfonnances from Joe Ileenan. (iraeme 'Ihomas and Derek ‘DJ‘ Johnston.
Glasgow
Dance, Monkey Boy, Dance 'Ihe Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 (:00 (055. 8.30pm. £4. 'Ihc comedy train keeps on chugging away from the popular Monkey Boys: Allen ('halmers. Paul Pirie and Raymond Meams. Improv. sketches and comuly galore.
Edinburgh
Shnd Up Australia 'lbe Stand. 5
York Place. 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5. It ain't quite weather for a barbie. so slip on some thongs and celebrate Australia Day with some fine comedians from all the way over there. just for you. With Marcus Ryan. (.‘J l-‘onuna. Damian Clark and Ro Campbell.
Glasgow
Red Raw The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £2 (£I ). Billy Kirkwood and Saj rally the troops this evening. as they get set to launch a full—scale comedy offensive to prove their worth in this fabulous new talent night.