www.list.co.uk/comedy
Edinburgh Fit O’ The Giggles Absolute Beginners Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8pm. £2 (£1). Newer comedians, and more experienced cats, decorate the Beehive with laughter. This week with John Gavin and Viv Gee. Red Raw The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). New acts take to the stage in a fast-paced showcase of the potential future stars. With host Scott Agnew and headliner Michael J Dolan.
Tuesday 23
Glasgow FREE Comedy at the Halt Bar The Halt Bar, 160 Woodlands Road, 352 9996. 8.30pm. This gig charges you nada for the pleasure of watching a different line-up every week of some local up-and-comers. Red Raw The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). Another night of budding comedy stars, with host Joe Heenan keeping things tidy. Edinburgh Pleasance Comedy The Pleasance Cabaret Bar, 60 Pleasance, 650 2458. 8pm. £5 (£4). A fine array of comedy talent most weeks at the heart of Studentland, although grown-ups are also welcome. It’s like the Fringe, only you don’t hate everyone. Benefit in Aid of First Step Community Project The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £7 (£5). First Step is a community based project, giving a helping hand to parents with children in order to raise confidence and skills. A selection of comedians, to be announced shortly, are giving up their time for free to help with the fundraising.
Wednesday 24
Glasgow Best of Irish The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £7 (£6; members £4). A wee treat of Emerald Isle comedians as Joe Rooney, Sonya Kelly and Colum McDonnell set about living up to their countryfolk’s comedy reputation. Edinburgh Best of Scottish The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £3). A cherry-picked selection of the finest comedians fae Scotland, including fabulously worried headliner David Kay. With host Sandy Nelson, Gus Tawse, Phil Differ and John Gavin.
Thursday 25
Glasgow Shed Live Comedy The Shed, 26 Langside Avenue, 649 5020. 8pm. £2. Another dose of top Scottish talent this evening, as Susan Calman, Scott Agnew and The Improv Dogs do the entertaining. The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Billy Kirkwood comperes an evening with Colum McDonnell, Michael Manley, Mark Davies and the ever-so-charming Des Clarke. Edinburgh The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). This weekend is dedicated to all things funny, with a line-up of rock solid acts, namely MC Sandy Nelson, Graeme Thomas, Sonya Kelly and Joe Rooney.
Friday 26 Glasgow Peter Powers Pavilion Theatre, 121 Renfield Street, 332 1846. 7.30pm. £10–£13. See Fri 19. Famous for Comedy Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. From £12. David Hadingham, Steve Harris and Patrick Rolink make up this weekend’s bill. There’s hot food, a bar and dancing afterwards so you’ll only need to go outside for a ciggie, or to
dance in the rain. The Friday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £10 (£9; members £5). Bruce Devlin comperes this evening, kicking off your weekend with local hero Bruce Morton, plus Colum McDonnell, Michael Manley and Susan Vale.
Edinburgh Famous for Comedy Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 6.30pm & 10pm. From £11. Wordsmith Andy White is joined by Nige, Ian Coppinger and Simon B Cotter this weekend. Hot food’s available and ticket price includes free aftershow club entry.
✽✽ Friday Fix The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, 556 7060. 7pm.
£8. A new addition to the Edinburgh scene with comedians and live bands, followed by a DJ. The first night kicks off with early-doors comedy bill featuring Des Clarke, Chris Henry, Teddy, Paul Alcroft and MC Jeff O’Boyle. They’ll be followed by live music from The Banana Sessions and The Dukes and then late- night dancing action. The Friday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 25 for line-up. The Improverts Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place, 225 9893. 10.30pm. £4 (£3.50). See Fri 19.
Saturday 27
Glasgow Peter Powers Pavilion Theatre, 121 Renfield Street, 332 1846. 7.30pm & midnight. £10–£13. See Fri 19. Famous for Comedy Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. From £12. See Fri 26. The Saturday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £13. In a final combination of the acts who’ve been performing this weekend we get comedian, presenter and showbiz-er Des Clarke, Colum McDonnell, Michael Manley and Susan Vale. Edinburgh Famous for Comedy Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 6.30pm & 10pm. From £11. See Fri 26. The Saturday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £13. See Thu 25 for line-up.
Sunday 28
Glasgow Glasgow Kids Comedy Club The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 3pm. £3. Live comedy for ages 8–12. This week’s comedians heading up to the (very clean) mic will be: Graeme Thomas, Joe Rooney and Sonya Kelly. No under 5s; all kids must be accompanied by an adult. FREE Ha Ha Raw Comedy Ivory Hotel, Langside Avenue, Shawlands, 8.30pm. See Sun 21. Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £1). Michael Redmond has another selection of fine comedians to lay before you, including Sandy Nelson, John Gavin, Alan Sharp, Davey See and Caroline Robertson. Edinburgh FREE Whose Lunch is it Anyway? The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 1pm. See Sun 21. The Sunday Night Laugh-In The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £1). Susan Calman introduces a lovely line-up featuring Graeme Thomas, Rebecca Donohue, Michael Adams and Jason Murphy.
Monday 1 Glasgow Joe Heenan’s Film Quiz The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £2. The evening that should
have been invented years ago. Film geek and comedian Joe Heenan presents a night of showing off how much you know about the movies. Teams of up to 6 can enter. Edinburgh Fit O’ The Giggles Absolute Beginners Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8pm. £2 (£1). An evening crammed to the rafters with enthusiastic young things, trying their luck. With host Siân Bevan and headliner Jojo Sutherland. Red Raw The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). Happy St David’s Day y’all. Celebrate Daffodil Day with some comedy not featuring Welsh people, but Sean Grant and Rebecca Donohue as well as a pile of newer acts. Who may, or may not, be Welsh.
Tuesday 2
Glasgow FREE Comedy at the Halt Bar The Halt Bar, 160 Woodlands Road, 352 9996. 8.30pm. See Tue 23. Red Raw The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). Patrick Rolink and Antony Murray play the roles of proper grown-up comedians in this evening celebrating the fresh starts in the business of funny.
Edinburgh ✽✽ Beating Berlusconi The Bongo Club, Moray House, 37 Holyrood
Road, 558 7604. 8pm. £12 (£10). A one- man show from comedian Paul Duckworth, about a football fan watching a match next to the Italian Prime Minister. FREE Comedy Pow Wow The Illicit Still, 2 Brougham Street, Tollcross, 8.30pm. Replacing the comedy night at The Illicit Still, comes a new and improved version featuring stand-up, sketches, songs, competitions and special guests. Like Noel’s House Party. Sort of. Featuring Ben Verth, Adam Mitchell, Phil O’Shea, and Bob Graham.
✽✽ Wicked Wenches The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £6
(£5; members £3). The March edition of this fabulous celebration of all things funny and female features Ava Vidal and Angie McEvoy, along with regulars AL Kennedy and host Susan ‘Calmanator’ Calman. Wednesday 3
Glasgow ✽✽ Wicked Wenches The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055.
8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £3). See Tue 2.
Edinburgh ✽✽ Beating Berlusconi The Bongo Club, Moray House, 37 Holyrood
Road, 558 7604. 8pm. £12 (£10). See Tue 2. The Broken Windows Policy The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £4 (£2). This evening of sketches is an increasingly popular addition to The Stand family. Directed by Paul Sneddon, it features the talents of Larah Bross, Ben Verth, Caroline Robertson, Mike Walsh and Estoban MacGregor.
Thursday 4
Glasgow ✽✽ The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Raymond Mearns comperes this weekend, with Roger Monkhouse, Ava Vidal, Antony Murray and Alan Sharp.
Edinburgh The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Pop a comedy cherry on top of your weekend pie, with the help of host Bruce Devlin. He’ll be bringing on comedians such as John Gillick, Angie McEvoy and the brilliant Tom Stade.
Comedy Hitlist THE BEST COMEDY *
✽✽ Tom Wrigglesworth Nominated for the main Edinburgh Comedy Award last August for his show about taking on the might and power of Dick Branson’s Virgin rail network, the tall Yorkshireman gets all droll for the pre- weekend comedy crowd. Highlight, Edinburgh, Fri 19 & Sat 20 Feb. ✽✽ Carl Donnelly This bubbly- haired comic also scooped an ECA nomination last time round with a slot on the Best Newcomer list. A few chances to check out just why here as he entertains some Edinburgh adults and Glasgow kids. See preview. The Stand, Edinburgh, Thu 18–Sat 20 Feb; The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 21 Feb. ✽✽ Stewart Lee The man some might well have dubbed the godfather of British stand- up plays in one of the most lavish venues of his career to date. See 5 Things. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 20 Feb. ✽✽ Russell Kane Just back from a stint in Oz doing some radio work, the recently-married Essex-based comic wraps himself up in some Human Dressage. See preview at list.co.uk. The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 21 Feb; The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 22 Feb. ✽✽ Friday Fix Can comedy and dance music mix? When they’re separated by a dividing line, certainly. And before the DJs descend, hear some jokey stuff from, among a few others, Des Clarke and Teddy. The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Fri 26 Feb. ✽✽ Beating Berlusconi What happens when a Liverpool fan ends up in the AC Milan VIP suite during the remarkable Champions League final in 2005? Find out in this acclaimed one-man comic play. The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Tue 2 & Wed 3 Mar. ✽✽ Ava Vidal Quite possibly the tallest woman in UK stand- up begins a series of Stand appearances including headlining duties at Wicked Wenches. The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 2 Mar; The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 3 & Thu 4 Mar. 18 Feb–4 Mar 2010 THE LIST 45