COMEDY list.co.uk/comedy
ABANDOMAN Giving a less than beloved comedy genre a very good name
M usical comedy: who wants that? After all, it’s pretty much sitting at the lowest rung on the laugh-making ladder. Only the over-talented likes of Bill Bailey, Bo Burnham and David O’Doherty seem capable of breathing life into that hoary old sub-genre. Still, at least it’s not tragic old improv, which thankfully provides an ad libbing safety net in order to keep musical comedy just about afloat.
But what would happen if you brought musical comedy and improv together: that would be awful, right? Well, it would be if you’ve never heard Abandoman. Led by Irish frontguy Rob Broderick, they have been making plenty waves on the comedy landscape since breaking through in 2010, the year in which they scooped the Hackney
62 THE LIST 15 May–12 Jun 2014
Empire New Act Award and won at the Musical Comedy Awards.
They supported Ed Sheeran on tour, but don’t let that put you off: not for nothing have they been dubbed ‘Flight of the Conchords meets 8 Mile’. Which sounds pretty amazing, unless you can’t stand Kiwi double acts or rappers shouting at each other. For this Summerhall show, they’ll be resurrecting Moonrock Boombox in which a full-scale hip hop space musical will be concocted right before your very eyes and ears. Should you miss Abandoman now, fear not, they’ll be coming right back at you in August with a full run of something they’re calling Hot Desk. (Brian Donaldson)
Summerhall, Edinburgh, Wed 28 May.
HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS
✽ Fern Brady One of the true rising stars of the Scottish scene, Ms Brady will be
kicking some serious comedy butts over this long May weekend. The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 15–Sun 18 May.
✽ The Colour Ham Want magic and sketches? Then you need to get a taste
of the Ham boys as they unveil their latest night of, well, magic and sketches. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 19 May.
✽ Joke Thieves The brainchild of comedian Will Mars returns to Edinburgh with more
comics doing their own stuff and taking the rise (or, less likely, showing utmost respect) to the material performed by a peer. The Stand, Edinburgh, Wed 21 May.
✽ Sam Brady The former Buddhist shows
us some Kindness with a set that might make you think slightly differently about this life. Artbar, Glasgow, Fri 23 May.
Summerhall, Edinburgh, Wed 28 May.
✽ Abandoman See preview, left. ✽ Bob Doolally’s Comedy World Cup Countdown The sozzled analyst looks through tartan-tinted specs at the unfettered fitba’ fiesta set to explode in Brazil. See 5 Things, page 63. The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 8 Jun; The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 9 Jun.
✽ Dawn French One half of French and Saunders (as though you didn’t know) takes a very rare solo show on tour for you lucky people. See preview, page 64. Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 10–Thu 12 Jun.