Comedy
STAND-UP TOM DEACON Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 9 Feb
A comedian not wanting an audience to laugh might seem the very opposite of the intended goal, but sometimes there could be an honourable reason for it. In Tom Deacon’s case, hearing a particularly prominent guffaw can only spoil it for the rest of us. ‘It becomes an issue if everyone in the audience stops laughing because of that one laugh being so annoying, til you get to the point where you say, “You know what, I love the fact that you’re laughing but could you not?”’
Mind you, some people in the stand-up/DJ’s life might be getting out the pot to go alongside the kettle when hearing him declare that problem. ‘I’ve got quite an annoying laugh myself; it’s quite loud. When I find something funny and no one else is laughing, it makes me go for it even more. My girlfriend finds it very awkward that I have to laugh louder than anyone in order to say, “Look, I’m finding this funny.”’
Paying punters have been laughing loudly, annoyingly or normally at Deacon since he won the Chortle Student Award in 2007. From then, he’s gigged relentlessly, appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe as part of the Comedy Zone in 2008 and doing his debut solo hour a year later. Taking time off in 2010 to concentrate more on his broadcasting career (the Exeter Uni graduate presented BBC Switch’s 5:19 Show and is now a Sunday night fixture on Radio 1), he will be back this summer for a second Fringe hour.
Looking back, he has mixed emotions on his status as an award-
winner. ‘I was able to get plenty of ten-minute slots and it got me two grand, which has gone now, but it definitely gave me a springboard. You know, it was sponsored by Revels but I didn’t get any. Not even a single bag. And I haven’t bought a packet since: send me what I’m owed or forget it. Only in the cinema, if someone goes, “D’you want a Revel?” will I have one. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not on a rant here, but maybe it’s time they at least came up with a new flavour.’ (Brian Donaldson)
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to comedy@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Siân Bevan. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). The irrepressible Martin Mor hosts this evening, with help from Mr Gavin Webster, Neil McFarlane, Rebecca Donohue and Mikey Adams.
Thursday 3
Glasgow The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). With Susan Murray, Sean Grant, Rob Kane, Billy Kirkwood and Simon Viz Donald. Edinburgh Alan Bates: Comedy Hypnotist The Pleasance Theatre, 60 Pleasance, 650 4673. 8pm. £5 (£3). Hypnotic comedy. FREE Heresy The Jekyll & Hyde, 112 Hanover Street, 225 2022. 9pm. Another evening of depraved comedy, with sick puppies operating under the stewardship of Rick Molland.
46 THE LIST 3–17 Feb 2011
Friday 4
Glasgow highlight Comedy Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. £12. There’s hot food in its eye, an aftershow club in its paws and a beautiful night of comedy dangling off its metaphor. Jojo Sutherland and Stu Who?, with Scott Faulconbridge.
✽✽ The Friday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879.
8.30pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 3 for line-up, with Jason Cook replacing Susan Murray.
Edinburgh ✽✽ Craig Hill: Why Don’t You Come Down the Front? Brunton
Theatre, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, 665 2240. 7.30pm. £14 (£12). Cheerfully smutty laughs from Mr Hill. highlight Comedy Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 8.30pm. £13. Edinburgh’s highlight has become a centre for Proper Nights Out, with comedy, food, booze and an aftershow club. Kevin Gildea is up for the weekend, with Bruce Devlin on Friday night and firebrand Susan Morrison joining him on Saturday. The Friday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 3 for line-up. Upstairs @ The Beehive Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 9pm. Every week Keara Murphy presents a different line-up of comedians in this bargainous evening. The Improverts Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place, 225 9893. 10.30pm. £4.50 (£4). Late-night improv from the long- standing troupe.
Saturday 5
Glasgow highlight Comedy Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. £12. See Fri 4.
✽✽ The Saturday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335
8879. 9pm. £15. See Fri 4. Saturday @ The Dram Dram, 232–246 Woodlands Road, 332 1622. 9pm. £7 (£5). Ray Bradshaw, R David and affable TV and radio chap Des Clarke.
Edinburgh highlight Comedy Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 8.30pm. £13. See Fri 4. The Saturday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £15. See Thu 3 for line-up. Upstairs @ The Beehive Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 9pm. See Sat 5.
Sunday 6
Glasgow Glasgow Kids Comedy Club The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 3pm. £4. The club designed for younger audience members returns, with intrepid comedians entertaining the toughest audience around. No under 5s; all kids must be accompanied. With the inimitable Gavin Webster and Graeme Thomas. Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £1). Sit and relax with the super-chilled Michael Redmond. Tonight Neil McFarlane, Ray Bradshaw and Rhona McKenzie join him. Edinburgh FREE Whose Lunch Is It Anyway? The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 1.30pm. Stu and Garry improvise their way through your hangover, with a whole heap of hot food available to munch while they make you chuckle. The Sunday Night Laugh-In The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £1). Put your coat on over your PJs and head to The Stand. The comedy Dark Knight Mark Nelson is joined by up-and-comers Lucy Oldham and Ben Verth.
Monday 7
Glasgow Joe Heenan’s Film Quiz The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £2. Film geek and comedian Joe Heenan presents a night of showing off how much you know about the movies. With team captains Mark Nelson and Stu Murphy. Teams of up to six. Edinburgh Fit O’ The Giggles Out With the Old Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8pm. £2 (£1). A night dedicated to
✽✽ HITLIST
THE BEST COMEDY
✽✽ Jason Cook The genial Geordie takes root for a weekend in the west bringing comfort and joy by the brickload. The Stand, Glasgow, Fri 4 & Sat 5 Feb. ✽✽ Craig Hill For those who want their comedy with a bit more glitz, Hill’s yer man. Brunton Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 4 Feb. ✽✽ Tom Deacon Having won the Chortle Student Comedy award, the lad has made his way with a rising telly and radio career. Watch him back on the platform upon which he truly thrives. See preview. Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 9 Feb. ✽✽ Simon Munnery A man who could teach the stand-up foundlings a thing or two regards this comedy game. Mainly on how to be a proto- dadaist and still be loved for so long. See 5 Things. The Stand, Edinburgh, Thu 10–Sat 12 Feb. ✽✽ John Bishop The cheekily amiable Scouse chap does his mainstream thing for the masses. SECC, Glasgow, Mon 14 & Tue 15 Feb.
the freshest gags and routines from your favourite local comedians. Red Raw The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2. New acts, new material and a rammed room full of optimism and people who don’t like paying more than £2 for a cracking night of comedy. Tonight’s show is brought to you by Gus Lymburn and Brett Goldstein.
Tuesday 8
Glasgow Red Raw The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £2. Brett Goldstein guests in tonight’s show. Edinburgh Northern Laughs The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £7 (£5). A sample showcase of the thriving scene in the North-East of Scotland, without the long drive and toilet stops. With Gus Tawse, Gus Lymburn, Ed Patrick, Robin Valo and host Joe Heenan.
Wednesday 9
Edinburgh ✽✽ Tom Deacon and Chris Ramsey The Pleasance Theatre, 60
Pleasance, 650 4673. 8pm. £9 (students £5). The chirpy and charming Tom Deacon, off of Radio 1, comes to Edinburgh after getting successful all over the place. With extra comedy bonus from Chris Ramsey. See preview for Deacon.