COMEDY list.co.uk/comedy
THE ALTERNATIVE COMEDY EXPERIENCE Stewart Lee brings his merry band of acts back for more
I t feels like the festival, looks like the festival and it might even smell like the festival. And yet The Alternative Comedy Experience is done and dusted before the middle of July and off to the cutting room for the bods at Comedy Central to shape many disparate comedic elements into a distinctly non-Live at the Apollo stand-up TV affair. Once you see the final product you’ll be utterly amazed at the lack of cut-aways to highly-amused minor celebrities as the camera seems intent to focus on the actual comedian. Strange, disorientating stuff.
Anyone still in some doubt that Stewart Lee isn’t the godfather of modern stand-up merely has to take note of this showcase in which he gathers together some leftfield- ish UK/Ireland-based comics and lets them loose on their own material in front of a
knowledgeable Edinburgh crowd. Among those doing their thing are established figures such as curly-haired social commentator and cricket fan Andy Zaltzman, double act Ginger & Black (one’s ginger, the other is black), Hattie Hayridge (she was in Red Dwarf, you know), Robin Ince (speccy, bookish), rising talent Nish Kumar (his tale of taking his dad to a wholly inappropriate movie is a joy to behold), the unique Paul Foot, the thoroughly curious Lou Sanders, Big Train and Jam veteran Kevin Eldon (pictured) and angry young Alfie Brown. And that’s merely scratching at the surface of a line-up that is both vibrant and never ever going to appear with Mickey Mac and his roadshow of comedy. (Brian Donaldson)
The Stand, Edinburgh, Mon 8–Fri 12 Jul.
56 THE LIST 13 Jun–11 Jul 2013
HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS
✽ Wasasa Comedy Night A strong line-up led by Kevin Bridges, Viv Gee and Wayne Mazadza. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 17 Jun.
✽ Hardeep Singh Kohli Curry and comedy from the broadcaster funnyman.
See preview, page 58. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Sun 16 Jun.
✽ Diane Spencer Hardly regal, but
certainly close to the old bone when she gets down to it. The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 20–Sat 22 Jun.
✽ Ken Dodd Some stamina is required by both act and audience as the veteran gets out his tickling stick for some endurance- testing fun. Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Sat 15 & Sun 16 Jun.
✽ Neil Delamere A fine Irish jester who will be
back for a run in August delivers some solid blows, in a perfectly amiable and very funny manner. The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 26– Sat 29 Jun.
✽ Kelvin Brawl The fascination with wrestling continues as some funny Scottish
gents go for a full nelson or two. Not half. Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena, Glasgow, Fri 21 Jun.
✽ The Alternative Comedy
Experience A stellar line- up of Stew Lee-approved comics who you may never see on a TV show with the word ‘roadshow’ or ‘Apollo’ in it. See preview, left. The Stand, Edinburgh, Mon 8–Fri 12 Jul.
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