COMEDY | Previews
STAND-UP MIKE WILMOT The Stand, Edinburgh, Thu 12–Sat 14 May
Affectionately known as ’Dirty Uncle Mike’ by fellow comics, Mike Wilmot is largely indifferent to society’s mores. After almost three decades of confessional routines, ‘I couldn’t give a fuck’, the Canadian coni rms. ‘I’ve seen political correctness go crazy, then calm down, then go crazy again. We’re back into PC World now because Twitter and Facebook make everyone think they’ve got a valid opinion. Well, they don’t. Good comedy exists regardless.’ Dividing his year between Toronto, Australia and the UK, Wilmot has radically changed his lifestyle since acquiring a granddaughter and Type 2 diabetes, cutting out cigarettes and switching from beer to wine: ‘that’s so I can maintain the right level of drunkenness’. Constant though are the i lthily frank intimacies he shares about his wife of 30 years, Elaine. Likening her stage character to that of Phyllis Diller’s i ctional husband ‘Fang’, Wilmot would never say that anything he says about her is true. ‘Sometimes, honest to Christ, I’m just getting something off my chest. It’s so fucking real I’m having a breakdown. But other times, it’s make-believe.’
He’s candid about his sex life and deteriorating body ‘because it’s easier to speak in front of 1000 strangers for an hour than listen to my kids talk for the same amount of time.’ Twelve years ago he starred with his friend in Rich Hall’s Fishing for BBC Four, with the pair discussing a return to the Trossachs for a follow-up. ‘That was like making a home movie,’ he enthuses. ‘I’m sure we’ll talk about it again when he returns to the UK.’ (Jay Richardson)
STAND-UP SARAH MILLICAN SECC, Glasgow, Fri 6–Sun 8 May; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 9–Mon 11 Jul
The north-east of England has served the comedy community well over the last two decades. All branches of live entertainment seem to have been represented by that area, from the surrealistic likes of Reeves & Mortimer, Seymour Mace and Ross Noble to the storytelling of Jason Cook and his pal Chris Ramsey. Of course, like every community, there’s always one who embarrasses the group: stand proud Royston ‘Roy “Chubby” Brown’ Vasey. What’s largely missing from that list is a talented female comedian, but it just so happens
that the biggest Geordie box-ofi ce draw at the moment is Sarah Millican. The ‘sold-out’ signs went up across various venues swiftly after the announcement of this new tour, sealing her position as a comic who barely needs to do any press at all now that the mere mention of her name is enough to get posteriors on seats.
From the very start of her career, Millican has been adept at working a room with a matey joviality that could be undercut at any given moment through harsh if well-meaning jibes. Armed with decent stories, a winning manner and obvious determination to succeed, it’s hard to begrudge her any of the major success that has almost crept up on us all. The only thing you want to quibble with is the title of her new tour which traverses the nation through to the autumn: Outsider? Really, Sarah? If an outsider is someone who can comfortably put on a string of nights at venues such as the SECC and Hammersmith Apollo, what does that make those acts struggling to get open spots up and down the country every week? We can only hope the title is fully justii ed by the material. (Brian Donaldson)
LOCAL LAUGHS
In a new column, we chat to rising stand-ups from around the Central Belt. Edinburgh’s Wis Jantarasorn has a crack at our Q&A
Can you tell us about the moment when you thought 'stand-up is for me'? It was during my first gig back after taking a break of four years, in a small Edinburgh room with a lovely audience. The joy of making people laugh again was addictive. ce What's the best piece of advice r you've received from another comedian so far? Best advice I received from fellow colleagues is to not care as much lly about what people think and to really let the creativity take centre stage. Nothing is too weird or off-limits.
Do you have any pre-show rituals you can tell us about? Being a relatively neurotic person I have lots of pre-show rituals but it really starts the morning of a performance. I dress left side first: put my left sock on first, then left leg, left arm etc. How do you handle hecklers? I treat hecklers with love and care as I absolutely love them. All they want is to be involved with the show and that is exactly what I give them. I’ve had dance- offs, ‘text all contacts’ games on their mobile, phoned people’s mums to tell on them . . .
You're curating a 'legends of comedy' line-up. Tell us the bill's top three acts? Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and Billy Connolly. They are masters of storytelling which is the type of ol stand-up I do. The way they control the audience and take everyone along for the ride is truly awe- inspiring. ■ Wis Jantarasorn hosts Stand Spotlight: Feminism, The Stand, Edinburgh, Wed 13 Apr. See more of this Q&A at list.co.uk/comedy
64 THE LIST 7 Apr–2 Jun 2016