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BILLY CONNOLLY The Big Yin takes his High Horse on a Scotland-wide trot
W hen news of his illnesses broke last year, there was one thing that his legion of fans knew for absolute certain: if he ever managed to get back on the road and tour again, Billy Connolly would be using his own personal crises for material. And sure enough, recent press quotes from his wife Pamela Stephenson suggest that now he’s fit enough to tackle a sold-out Scotland- wide tour, he’s been trying out routines about being diagnosed with Parkinson’s and prostate cancer.
While he might be in jovial mood at simply being able to get himself up on the nation’s stages again, you can probably expect some storm or other to envelop him during this tour. In 2012, he was heavily criticised for walking off early during two shows in the north of England, while in 2004, the row went global when he made remarks about the then- hostage Ken Bigley who was subsequently murdered by his Iraqi captors.
But the Big Yin’s overarching influence on modern stand-up cannot be ignored. Within the industry and public at large, polls choosing the top comedians more often than not have him at the number one spot. And on these very pages, our My Comedy Hero column is filled with those who either pick Connolly as their idol or mention him in reference to other nominees. Raymond Mearns, Michael McIntyre, Scott Agnew, Keara Murphy, Jason Cook, Mark Nelson and Jason Manford have all used this platform to eulogise the man. So, be thankful that you have perhaps one last chance to see a true artist of our times hopping on and off his High Horse and delivering thoughtful and thought-provoking stand-up. (Brian Donaldson)
Perth Concert Hall, Wed 1 & Thu 2 Oct; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 4, Sun 5, Tue 7 & Wed 8, 15 & Thu 16 Oct; Caird Hall, Dundee, Sat 11 & Sun 12 Oct.
HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS
✽ Frankie Boyle More work-in-progress doings as the guy who caused a
predictable stir at the Edinburgh telly festival makes plans for the future. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 22, Thu 25–Tue 30 Sep.
✽ Gilded Balloon Comedy at Drygate
The Edinburgh comedy institution goes west with Fern Brady (pictured), Bob Doolally, Ria Lina and Mark Nelson among this issue’s
delights. See 5 Things for Aisling Bea, page 55. Drygate, Glasgow, Fri 26 Sep, 3, 10 Oct.
✽ Ross Noble The first in a series of hitlist folks who appear to be making it up on the
spot; except the jovial Geordie gent really is. SECC, Glasgow, Fri 26 Sep; Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sat 27 & Sun 28 Sep; Perth Concert Hall, Sat 4 Oct.
venues.
✽ Billy Connolly See preview, left. Various ✽ Paul Foot Comedy at the Pleasance? It feels like August all over again. Well, almost
but not quite, as Paul Foot dips his surrealist toes deep into your water. The Pleasance, Edinburgh, Wed 15 Oct.
✽ Tony Law And here’s a Foot-like kind of daftness, Canada-style, as we Enter the
Tonezone. It’s either not as chilling as it sounds or even more so. The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 14 Oct; the Stand, Glasgow, Wed 15 Oct.
✽ Lee Evans A past victor of the Edinburgh Comedy Award when it was sponsored
by a fizzy water company, the rubbery one has since achieved quite a bit in the entertainment world. SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Thu 16– Sat 18 Oct.
18 Sep–16 Oct 2014 THE LIST 53