COMEDY list.co.uk/comedy
SEAN LOCK Perfect punchlines from inside his purple van
T V can sometimes play funny tricks on the mind. There are probably a bunch of people out there who consider Sean Lock to be nothing more or less than a panel show pundit. And while he is invariably the best thing about said quiz/game affairs, this would be a devastating slight on a man who not only can claim to be among the finest British stand-ups of the last 20 years, but also put his heart and soul into one of the best sitcoms of that same period. Given his often chirpy demeanour on the box, it could come as something of a shocker to see him now in 15 Storeys High as the glum
swimming instructor Vince. Then again, he is just acting. The Lock comedy bandwagon rolls on into Scotland this month as Purple Van Man makes its non-work-in-progress UK debut at the Glasgow Comedy Festival. And if that doesn’t make stand-up fans of the nation feel their hearts swell with pride, little else can. You’re unlikely to see anyone else at the festival deliver such a perfect mix of quasi- surrealism, blokey bonhomie and stunning punchlines. (Brian Donaldson)
King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 19 Mar.
HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS
✽ Jamie Kilstein The US rabblerouser made heads turn at the Fringe a few years back, but here he is on his first proper tour of the UK. Just goes to show that there are some comics who pack a political punch and can still be mightily funny with it. The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 24 Feb; The Stand, Edinburgh, Wed 27 Feb.
✽ Punchline Another corking line-up saunters into one of the swankiest venues in the country: Pappy’s and Charlie Baker top and tail proceedings. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 8 Mar.
✽ David O’Doherty The DO’D wants us
to seize the day as he unleashes his stunning musical comedy thing all over our faces. Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Mon 11 Mar; Garage, Glasgow, Fri 15 & Sat 16 Mar.
✽ Daniel Sloss He’s not getting any
younger, but the sprightly Fife-ish lad is showing few signs of letting up on his plans for world domination. In comedy, not in a North Korea stylee. King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Sat 16 Mar.
✽ Mark Thomas Two shows in a night from the genial Londoner. One is his
brilliant Edinburgh Fringe show about putting on an opera for his dying dad, the other is his manifesto for a better Britain. Don’t worry, both will be very funny indeed. Òran Mór, Glasgow, Tue 19 Mar.
✽ Sean Lock The Purple Van Man rolls into town. See preview, left. King’s Theatre,
Glasgow, Tue 19 Mar.
✽ Rosie Kane The former ally of Tommy Sheridan gives us an Evening With-style show at the festival. The State Bar, Glasgow, Thu 21 Mar.
21 Feb–21 Mar 2013 THE LIST 51