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MC Scott Agnew and headliner Bruce Fummey are joined by an eager selection of newer comedians trying to prove their talents.

Edinburgh ✽✽ The Comedy Circuit by Gilded Balloon The Voodoo Rooms, 19a

West Register Street, 556 7060. 8pm. £12 (£14). The magical Pete Firman and his antics drop by Edinburgh on this tour of Scotland, with company from Scottish hero Scott Agnew and Vikki Stone. Pleasance Comedy The Pleasance Cabaret Bar, 60 Pleasance, 650 2458. 8pm. £5 (£4). A fine array of comedy talent most weeks at the heart of Studentland, although grown-ups are also welcome. It’s like the Fringe, only you don’t hate everyone. Midweek Comedy Cabaret The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £4 (£2). Stu Murphy and trickster Steven Dick give you something more exciting than Emmerdale. Yeah, we just said that. Controversial.

St Andrews The Joy of Politics Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, 01334 475000. 8pm. £14 (£12). See Mon 8.

Wednesday 10

Glasgow ✽✽ How Do I Get Up There? The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870

600 6055. 8.30pm. £5 (£4). A night of sketch comedy from this Scottish troupe (Chris Forbes, Kevin Maines and James Kirk) who are already gaining a reputation for savvy, intelligent comedy.

Edinburgh Melting Pot The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £2.50). Freshly written sketches are performed by a group of actors for your listening pleasure, with a chance to vote for your favourite.

Thursday 11

Glasgow Shed Live Comedy The Shed, 26 Langside Avenue, 649 5020. 8pm. £2. Two Scottish lions on the comedy scene are joined by one its most promising up-and- coming cubs, as Raymond Mearns, Bruce Morton and Chris Forbes entertain the Shed crowd. The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Joe Heenan is bounding around as host this weekend, cheering up everyone as they get set to enjoy the unique wit of Gavin Webster, with Kevin Hayes, Gordon Alexander and Davey See. Edinburgh The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). MC Billy Kirkwood kicks the weekend off early with a line-up featuring Gary Little, David Longley, Jay Lafferty and circuit favourite Dave Johns.

Friday 12

Glasgow Peter Powers Pavilion Theatre, 121 Renfield Street, 332 1846. 7.30pm. £10–£13. See Fri 5. Famous for Comedy Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. From £12. Local boy Sandy Nelson returns to Glasgow to join comedians Rich WIlson, Nige and Jarred Christmas in their efforts to entertain. Free entry to Club-Risa after the show. The Friday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 11 for line-up. Edinburgh Famous for Comedy Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. From £11. Four more gentlemen bound onto the stage of Not-Jongleurs, namely Miles Crawford, Mat Reed, Dave

Williams and Mark Walker. There’s dancing afterwards once you’ve stopped laughing. The Friday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £10 (£9; members £5). Susan Calman replaces Billy Kirkwood as compere of the evening, retaining the fine comedy company of Dave Johns, Gary Little, David Longley and Jay Lafferty. The Improverts Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place, 225 9893. 10.30pm. £4 (£3.50). See Fri 5.

Saturday 13

Glasgow Peter Powers Pavilion Theatre, 121 Renfield Street, 332 1846. 7.30pm & midnight. £10–£13. See Fri 5. Famous for Comedy Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. From £12. See Fri 12. The Saturday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 9pm. £13. See Thu 11 for line-up. Edinburgh The Saturday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £13. See Fri 12 for line-up.

Sunday 14

Glasgow Glasgow Kids Comedy Club The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 3pm. £3. Live comedy for ages 8–12. This week features marvellous (and occasionally musical) Geordie jokebomber Gavin Webster. No under 5s; all kids must be accompanied by an adult. FREE Ha Ha Raw Comedy Ivory Hotel, Langside Avenue, Shawlands, 8.30pm. See Sun 7. My Bloody Funny Valentine The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £1). This might look like the normal Sunday Service, but it’s Valentine’s Day and so tonight host Michael Redmond offers a comedy club and refuge from blubbering couples and disappointed girls. With Kevin Hayes, Antony Murray and Barry McDonald. Edinburgh FREE Whose Lunch is it Anyway? The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 1pm. See Sun 7. My Bloody Funny Valentine The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £5 (£4; members £1). If you’re single, or a couple who aren’t dependent on cheap commercial trinkets to signify a love which is merely a shallow manifestation of deep-rooted personal insecurity and a fear of being alone, then this is the show for you. Escape the teddy bears with MC Sian Bevan, David Longley, Jim Park and Michael Adams.

Monday 15

Glasgow ✽✽ David O’Doherty: David O’Doh- Party The Stand, 333 Woodlands

Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £10 (£8). Hurrah it’s David O’Doh-Party time! With more shambolic yet professional whimsy on a comical musical voyage featuring tiny keyboards and beauty.

Edinburgh Dave Gorman: Sit Down, Pedal, Pedal, Stop and Stand Up Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. 8pm. £18.50. Following the success of his 33-date national tour where he cycled from venue to venue, Dave Gorman is continuing with the venture except he’s dropped the cycling part, the lazy lump. See 5 Things. Fit O’ The Giggles Absolute Beginners Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8pm. £2 (£1). John Gavin and Viv Gee perform alongside some newer acts in a packed bill, full of hope, variety and perspiration. Red Raw The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). Another evening

dedicated to the production of a new generation of comedians to tickle your fancies. With MC Rick Molland.

Perth ✽✽ Rhod Gilbert Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, 01738 621 031. 8pm. £16.50. An evening in the company of everyone’s favourite ranter, with unique anecdotal comedy that’s seen Gilbert’s star rise dramatically in recent years.

✽✽ Russell Kane Perth Theatre Cafe Bar, 185 High Street, 01738 472

700. 8pm. £12 (£10). With his latest show Human Dressage, the ever-charming Kane looks at why we preen ourselves. See preview.

Tuesday 16

Glasgow FREE Comedy at the Halt Bar The Halt Bar, 160 Woodlands Road, 352 9996. 8.30pm. See Tue 9. Red Raw The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). An evening’s entertainment, at a fast and furious pace, for only two quid, featuring headliner gag-meister Teddy.

Edinburgh FREE Comedy Pow Wow The Illicit Still, 2 Brougham Street, Tollcross, 8.30pm. Replacing the comedy night at The Illicit Still, comes a new and improved version featuring stand-up, sketches, songs, competitions and special guests. Like Noel’s House Party. Featuring Ben Verth, Adam Mitchell, Phil O’Shea, and Bob Graham.

✽✽ David O’Doherty: David O’Doh- Party The Stand, 5 York Place, 558

7272. 8.30pm. £10 (£8). See Mon 15.

Wednesday 17 Edinburgh Midweek Comedy Cabaret The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £4 (£2). Host Jojo Sutherland introduces some Scottish favourites this evening: Parrot and Patrick Rolink are both stalwarts of the circuit. With Eddie O’Dwyer and Ed Patrick.

Thursday 18

Glasgow The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). MC Susan Morrison whips the audience into shape before sprinkling the comedy fairydust of Dave Johns, Nathan Caton, Jeff O’Boyle and Dukes of Improv Stu & Garry. Edinburgh The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Carl Donnelly’s up this weekend, with his charming comedy schtick. Scott Agnew holds the show together, which also features Benjamin Crellin, Martin McAllister and Eddie O’Dwyer.

Comedy Hitlist THE BEST COMEDY * ✽✽ Hardeep Singh Kohli The Glaswegian takes his Nearly Naked Chef routine on tour. This magazine has previously said ‘his plums tasted good’. Brunton Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 5 Feb. ✽✽ The Comedy Circuit by Gilded Balloon Pete Firman conjures up some splendidly sicko comedy alongside Scott Agnew and musical comedy lass Vikki Stone in this special Gilded Balloon gig. The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Tue 9 Feb. ✽✽ How Do I Get Up There? The increasingly excellent sketch trio do their sketchy thing. The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 10 Feb. ✽✽ David O’Doherty The Irish comedy keyboard man is back whipping up some more lo-fi storms. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 15 Feb; The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 16 Feb. ✽✽ Dave Gorman Davey G takes the weight off and astounds us with some tall tales of derring-do. See 5 Things. Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Mon 15 Feb. ✽✽ Rhod Gilbert The Voice of Wales booms out more of his angst-ridden comedy, berating domestic appliances and smoothies. Perth Concert Hall, Mon 15 Feb. ✽✽ Russell Kane Just back from a stint in Oz, the just- married Essex-based comic wraps himself up in some Human Dressage. See preview. Perth Theatre Café Bar, Mon 15 Feb.

4–18 Feb 2010 THE LIST 45