IMPROVISATION

doing a show that’s different every night.’

PAUL MERTON’S IMPRO CHUMS

Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 6 Jun

The public image of Paul Merton is one of an ad libbing master who can turn the blandest of suggestion or question and turn into improvised gems. Yet this is a man who has plied his comedy trade with the best of them, slipping around on the oily track of the stand-up circuit. ‘The bits on stage were fun,’ he recalls of his 19805 days playing the toilets of the land as well as more auspicious venues such as the Comedy Store. ‘But when I’m in some dressing room backstage at half time and hearing the buzz of hopefully excited people, I got to thinking: “Why am I sitting here on my own?”

The quintet in question is Merton, Suki Webster, Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and Mike McShane who has been drafted in as a substitute for Jim Sweeney whose MS has steadily worsened leaving it impossible for him to undertake such a demanding travel and performing schedule. ‘If you get an idea that you think is funny, you don’t have to pitch it, you just do it and find out there and then if it’s funny,’ notes Merton. ‘Normally it is, but if it isn’t then this person on stage with you will have a better idea and if they don’t, then this other person will and it’ll happen given time. This freedom to just come up with stuff that’s instant and doesn’t need a show of hands can be liberating.’

Compared to that there are five people on this tour

Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to comedyGlist.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Sian Bevan. Indicates Listpicks entry

Glasgow

The Thursday Show The Stand. 333 Woodlands Road. 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £7 (£6: members £3). A truly lovely. sunshiney line-up for a summer's eve: (iavin Webster. Jo Iinright. Andy McPartland and Derek ‘DJ' Johnston. Willi host Raymond Mearns.

Edinburgh

The Themes Museum l.eith (‘ommunity liducation Centre. New Kirkgate. 554 4104. 7.30pm. 'I'B(‘. Intriguing. A show based around an .‘le3 tour of the heady world of llasks. We have no idea. I’m! oft/1e Left/t l‘i'sttml.

Ash Dickinson liar Diesel. 19 Shore Place. leith. 555 4104. 8pm. £5. Slant champion Ash Dickinson suffers (litres! at the I)()/[)/llll(ll'lllltl. an exploration of life in verse. I’urt “fl/10 Ix’ll/i l‘t'.\'lll'(l/.

Jason Rouse Cruz. 14 The Shore. l.eith. 554 4104. 8pm. £7. lle ain’t for the easily

offended but if you want comedy to scrape past your knuckles only to hit a kitten in the eye. then this is the man for yoti. I’urt oft/1e [.(’lI/i festival.

Heresy 'I‘he Jekyll & llyde. l 12 Hanover Street. 225 2022. 9pm. £3. Rick Holland's den of inequity welcomes another load of

comedians unleashing the darkest pieces of

material they can think of.

Laughing Horse at Meridian Meridian. 138 l.eith Walk. 554 4238. 9pm. A mash-up of comedy. jam and blues iii a Laughing llorse special. l‘eattiring cotnedians Pattl Pirie. l.i//ie Maran and Barry McDonald. as well as music from James B (‘arr and the Fabulous ('orvettes and Alice ('avaye. l’urt oft/iv [with I't'.\‘Ilt'(l/.

The Thursday Show The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £7 (£6; members £3). It‘s another 'l'httrsday Show extravaganza. with an incredible line-up at less-than-weekend prices. Try this for si/e: MC Lucy Porter. Jason Rottse. (iary Delaney. Wendy Wason and Rab Brown. l’an-bl<mming-tastic. See Profile for Wendv Wason. ' Little Love Affairs: Behind Bars! (‘ru/. 14 The Shore. 1.eith. 554 4104. 10pm. £6. Keara Murphy brings back her show crammed fttll of character comedy to make you laugh and cry. I’urt tilt/iv [with l'i'slii'ul.

(Brian Donaldson)

Glasgow

Paul Merton’s lmpro Chums

Pavilion 'l‘heatre. l2l Renlield Street. 332 1846. 7.30pm. £18.50 (U650). The [law I (in! Kins/or You star is joined by funny friends for some improvised hilarity. See preview. Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs. t'(i(' Building. 1 l Renfrew Street. 0870 787 0707. 8pm. £12. 'I‘hree masters of the circuit show the whippersnappers how it’s done in the hilarious shape of Dom ('arroll. Steve Williams and Anvil Springstien. You can. of cottrse. also take advantage of the hot food and disco fever which takes ov er the venue alter the comedy ends. The Stand The Stand. 333 \\'otxllands Road. 08706006055. 8.30pm. £9 (£8: members £5). Raymond Mearns hosts for the whole darn weekend. so show some appreciation. ok'.’ lie introduces a marvellous line-tip including (iavin Webster. Andy .\1cPartland and Derek Johnston.

Edinburgh

The Thermos Museum l.cith (‘ommunity lidtication (‘entre. New Kirkgate. 554 4104. 7.30pm. 'l'lK'. See Thu 5.

Bob Doolally A voddy- sodden experience is guaranteed as the chronicler of the beautiful game shows the ugly side of football. Cruz, Edinburgh, Fri 6 Jun.

Paul Merton’s lmpro Chums The Have / Got News for You legend brings his mates up north to ad lib their socks off. See preview. Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 6 Jun.

The Amazing Bastards! More improv madness. but of a distinctly weirder variety. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 9 Jun.

Scotland United A night of comedy, music and dance as part of the Refugee Week celebration. The Arches, Glasgow, Thu 72 Jun.

Eilidh MacAskill Two chances to see Eilidh with her ukulele. Doing a comedy ceilidh. The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 8 Jun; The Stand, Edinburgh, Mon 76 Jun.

Bob Doolally Cruz. 14 The Shore.

I.eith. 554 4l04. 8pm. £9. Scotland's favourite slanderous. drunken football pundit slttrs his way down to l.eith. (‘atch him before he falls . . . I’urt rift/Iv Lott/t I'i's'lii‘ul. Jongleurs Comedy Club Jonglettrs. ()mni Centre. (ireenside Place. 08707 870707. 8pm. £1 1. llop down to Jongleurs for some raucous laughter triggered by Danny James. (iordon Southern and (‘hristian Reilly. There‘s the normal provisions for hungry. thirsty and dancey people. The Stand The Stand. 5 York Place. 558 7272. 9pm. £9 (£8; members £5). See 'l‘hu 5. Little Love Affairs: Behind Bars! (‘nt/. 14'I'he Shore. Leith. 554 4104. 10pm. £6. See Thu 5.

Glasgow

Jongleurs Comedy Club Jonglettrs.

l'(i(‘ Building. 1 l Renfrew Street. 0870 787 0707. 8pm. £15. See Fri 6.

The Stand The Stand. 333 \Voodlantls

Road. 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £12. See Fri 6.

Edinburgh

The Best of Scottish Comedy (Run. 14 The Shore. l.eith. 555 4104. 8pm. £8. Another dose of local comedy in conjunction with the Stand. tonight with .\1(‘ Stisan Morrison. She herds on the talents of Joe lleenan. Paul Pirie and Keir .\lc.'\llister. I’urt o/‘tlu' [with l-i'stirul.

f) 19 Jun 2008 THE LIST 49