THEATRE listings

THEATRE LISTINGS continued

CENTRAL DRAMA

Dundee

DUNDEE REP

Tay Square, 01382 223530. [R H, WC, WA

Colrliuhoun And MacBryde Thu 6 Jul, 'Iue 18—Wed 19 Jul. 7.45pm (Thu mat 2.30pm). £4.75—£12.50. Dundee Rep’s new ensemble present the latest offering from stalwart of the stage, screen and brush John Byme. Following the fortunes and forays of two of Scotland’s most legendary artists Robert Colquhoun and Robert MacBryde, the production also benefits from Byrne’s distinctive designs. A Midsummer Night's Dream Fri 7-Mon 10 Jul (not Sun). 7.45pm (Sat mat 2.30pm). £4.75—£12.50. Part of the theatre ’5 summer rep season, the new ensemble company take on Shakespeare’s bewitching tale of fairies and love potions.

A Family Affair Tue 11—Wed 12 Jul. 7.45pm. £4.75-£12.50. The Rep ensemble perform Nick Dear’s adaptation of Alexander Ostrovsky’s play. A robust mix of farce and fury, the play follows the exploits and misdemeanours of a corrupt merchant.

Go Wild With The Happy Gang Wed 12 Jul. 2.30pm. £4.50 (£15 for four seats). Ages up to 9. The Gang have been invited to perform at the Tea in the Trees Music Festival but something is lurking in the woods.

Cabaret Thu 13—Fri 14 Jul. 7.45pm (Fri mat 2.30pm). £4.75—£12.50. Set amidst the decadence of pre-war Berlin, this fabulous musical features the glamorously self-destructive Sally Bowles who meets and falls for an impoverished novelist.

The Playboy Of The Western World Sat 15—Mon 17 Jul (not Sun). 7.45pm (Sat mat 2.30pm). £4.75—£12.50. Voted one of the top twenty plays of the 20th century by the Royal National Theatre, J.M. Synge’s comically savage tale depicts love, poverty and hypocrisy in a remote Irish village.

All My Sons Thu 20—Fri 21 Jul. 7.45pm (Fri mat 2.30pm). £4.75—£12.50. Arthur Miller’s first major success as a playwright, this compelling drama blends the ideological conflict between father and son with an exposure of wartime profiteering and the American Dream.

MACROBERT

University of Stirling, 01786 461081. [R H, WC, WA

The Snow lobe Sat 15 Jul. 11am & 2pm. See Kids listings.

listings

NEW CLUB Vigorous Lime Comedy

Club Glasgow: Nice 'n' Sleazy, Wed 12 Jul.

The recent trend in comedy clubs, epitomised by The Stand and Jester’s in Glasgow, has been toward the more opened-out. relaxed performance space. Audience comfort has become a selling point in preference to the old, cramped bearpit atmosphere of the comedy cellar. But even the old kind of venue is changing its image, if not its location.

Richard Smith, compere and co- promoter, with Heather Dick, of Vigorous Lime Comedy Club is keen to emphasise the more chilled, friendly atmosphere they're keen to create. ’lt’s a perfect venue for comedy.’ he says of a bar more associated with live music. ’We want a feeling that isn’t hostile, like the

traditional pub comedy space. It's going to be a friendly

sort of club.‘

The perfect headliner for this kind of venture is opening night headliner Phil Kay, a man whose audiences consistently want to take home and stroke gently after a night of surrealist anecdote and puppydog gambolling. Variety is also on the agenda, so there’ll also be the musical comedy of Sandy Nelson to accompany Kay. Established acts like Viv & Jill, Richard Allen and

Phil y i a Ivable p

ppydog in a happy club

Gordon Brunton are also due in future weekly gigs.

The comedy market is pretty big and hostile for this

sort of fledgling enterprise, but Smith feels that there's

a place for the club, aiming at audiences aged 25 and younger, with lower-priced door charges (£4 and £3 concessions) to attract students and young folks. There's also an emphasis on developing the Scottish comedy community, with a local element to each show adding, no doubt, to the happy aura of this youthful organisation. We wish them well. (Steve Cramer)

THURSDAY 6 Glasgow

The Stand The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30—10.30pm. £4 (£3). Political satire from ginger nutter John Flint, with support from manic magician Mandy Muden, Frank Quinn and resident comp Frankie Boyle.

Edian

The Stand The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £4 (£3). Madness and mayhem from Colin Ramone, Greenock double act Paul and Ray, Marie

Mitch Benn is waving not drowning at vari ‘us comedy venues

82 THE LIST 6—20 Jul 2000

MacArthur and a Stand debut from teenager Euan Mushet. Joon Broon comperes.

FRIDAY 7

Glasgow

Jester's Comedy Club Mansion’s Cafe Bar, 63 St George’s Road, 333 1418. 8.30pm. £6 (£5). Janey Godley competes tonight and helping lay on the laughs are Vladimir McTavish, Graeme Thomas and Des McLean.

The Stand The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £6 (£5). '11de for the top, Ross Noble regales with his absorbing mental meanderings. Stand-up support comes from Colin Ramone and double act Paul and Ray. Jane Mackay keeps the lads in check.

Edinburgh

Scruffy Murphy's One Comedy Night Scruffy Murphy’s, 49/50 George IV Bridge, 225 1681. 8pm. Free. Resident host Reg Anderson welcomes two regulars from the local stand-up circuit. The Stand The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.15pm. £6 (£5). Psychotic yet charming ranting and raving from David Hadingham as he returns to Scotland to make his Stand debut. All-rounder Mandy Muden performs her magical stand-up, and they are joined by Frankie Boyle and comp Susan Morrison.

SATURDAY 8

Glasgow

Jester’s Comedy Club Mansion’s Cafe Bar, 63 St George’s Road, 333 1418. 8.30pm. £6 (£5). Sing-a-long-a-stand-up as comic songwriter Mitch Benn steals the limelight with his solo show.

The Stand The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £7 (£4). See Fri 7, only Susan Morrison comperes. Madcap Comedy Club The Fotheringay, 17—21 Nithsdale Road, 357 5387. 9.30pm. £5 (£4). Unruly antics from Mark Dylan, Graeme Thomas and Des

MacLean as they headline the humourfest alon side resident MC Billy Bonkers. Ma cap Comedy Club State Bar, 148 Holland Street, 357 5387. 9.30pm. £5 (£4). Boisterous banter from Louise Stevenson and Colin Elves. Raymond Meams comperes.

Edinburgh

The Stand The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.15pm. £7 (£4). Same as Fri 7, only Jane Mackay MCs.

mm:- Glasgow

Jester's Comedy Club Mansion’s Cafe Bar, 63 St George’s Road, 333 1418. 8.30pm. £10. Relaunch of Jester’s with a new stage and sound system. Tonight’s confirmed showcase acts include Craig Crookston, Raymond Meams and Mitch Benn.

Got In Glasgow The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £5. Guesting with tonight’s gay- friendly gags are Mrs Barbara Nice and Mandy Muden. Resident compere Craig Hill and games host Cormac O’Hara complete the camp line-up.

The Comic Club Blackfriars, 36 Bell Street, 552 5924. 9pm. £5 (£4). The Blackfriars basement plays host to Mitch Benn, Keara Murphy and Alan Anderson, who makes a welcome return to his home town. Resident host is Viv Gee and tonight’s open spot is filled by Rev Obadiah Steppenwolfe [11.

Edinburgh

Whose Lunch Is It Anyway? The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 1—3pm. Free with drinks or a meal. Freestyle funniness from resident duo Paul and Stuart.

Ross Noble The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5. Sneak peek of Ross’ Fringe show in an extended hour- long set. His ‘Laser Boy’ show from last year’s festival won him rave reviews and a Perrier nomination. Warning: likely to involve considerable punter participation.