Comedy HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS
Shazia Mirza The political columnist also does comedy, don't you know. She’s currently touring her latest show Multiple Choice, but will be taking time off from that to do a wee set in Edinburgh. The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Fri 29 Apr.
Keith Farnan The splendid Irish comic with a conscience selects some appropriate funny bits to entertain a weekend crowd. Highlight, Edinburgh, Fri 13 & Sat 14 May. Tim Minchin Comedy’s official-ish rock superstar returns to these parts with a mix of new songs and classic Minchinisms. SECC, Glasgow, Sun 8 May.
Tom Stade Fresh from appearing in Frankie Boyle’s rather controversial Channel 4 stand-up and sketch affair, this British Columbia-born comic now takes full control. The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 8 May. Alun Cochrane When this Yorkshire-bred, Glasgow-born comic finally hits the comedy big time, we’ll all realise that justice may in fact exist in this miserable world. The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 19–Sat 21 May.
Dan Clark Fans of his Beeb3 sitcom, How Not to Live Your Life, are in for a musical and mirthful treat. As is anyone else who goes along, actually. See interview, page 50. Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 8 May.
The Broken Windows Policy A generous helping of intriguing group sketches and character madness from one of the nation’s leading exponents of such things. The Stand, Edinburgh, Wed 4 May.
Greg Davies The massively tall Inbetweeners teacher takes his Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated show, Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog, to the Tayside massive. Perth Concert Hall, Sat 21 May.
48 THE LIST 28 Apr–26 May 2011
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 16 days before publication to comedy@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Kirstyn Smith. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
Thursday 28 Glasgow Foster’s Comedy Live @ highlight Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. £12. Bruce Devlin starts the weekend one day early. The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Susan Morrison introduces some very funny gents: Nick Wilty, Andrew Stanley, John Gavin and Alan Sharp.
Edinburgh Fit O’ The Giggles @ Constitution Constitution Bar, 48 Constitution Street, Leith, 538 9374. 8.30–10.30pm. £5. Four different jokemeisters each month are presided over by the majestic Keara Murphy. Foster’s Comedy Live @ highlight Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 8.30pm. £13. Satirical observations from Neil Dougan. The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Susan Calman hosts this weekend’s festivities, with Michael Smiley, Alan Francis, Antony Murray and Martin McAllister.
Friday 29
Glasgow Off With Their Heads The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 5pm. £10 (£7). Enjoy some good, clean republican fun with musical duo the McCluskey Brothers and treasonous jesters Bruce Morton, Sandy Nelson, Des Clarke and Susan Morrison. The Friday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £10 (£9; members £5). Do a little dance, make a little tea and get down tonight. See Thu 28 for line-up. Edinburgh The Friday Fix The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, 556 7060. 7.30pm. £9 (£5 after 9.30pm for band only). The acerbic Shazia Mirza stops in, with Simon Felder, Fern Brady, Robert Parker and compère Bratchy. Randan Discoteque provide the post-show tunes. The Beehive Comedy Club Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8.30pm. £4–£7. Ben Verth presents a weekend packed full of top local and visiting comedians to tickle your funny bone in an entirely appropriate way. The Friday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £10 (£9; members £5). TGITFS (Thank God It’s the Friday Show). See Thu 28 for line-up.
Saturday 30
Glasgow Foster’s Comedy Live @ highlight Highlight, UGC Building, 11 Renfrew Street, 0844 844 0044. 8pm. £12. Host Bruce Devlin keeps Andrew Stanley and Charlie Baker in check. The Saturday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 9pm. £15. The crest of the weekend speeds towards the shore of Monday but there’s just time for some comedy. Line-up as Thu 28, except John Gavin is replaced by Barry McDonald. Edinburgh To Be Continued The Tron, 9 Hunter Square, High Street, 226 0931. 8pm. £7 (£5). Fast-paced show based on audience suggestions. So if they’re not funny, it’s all your fault, ok? The Beehive Comedy Club Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8.30pm. £4–£7. See Fri 29.
Foster’s Comedy Live @ highlight Highlight, Omni Centre, Greenside Place, 0844 844 0044. 8.30pm. £13. See Thu 28. The Saturday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £15. Always a sell- out and you’ll need to book in advance. See Thu 28 for line-up. Jekyll and Hyde Comedy Club The Jekyll & Hyde, 112 Hanover Street, 225 2022. 9.30pm. £8 (£6). Rick Molland presents a night in a basement which you’ll remember for the right reasons (hopefully).
Sunday 1
Glasgow Bank Holiday Special The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £10 (£9). Chilled-out comedy to guide you toward the end of the extra-long weekend. See Thu 28 for line-up. Edinburgh FREE Whose Lunch Is It Anyway? The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 1.30pm. Stu and Garry improvise their way through your hangover this Sunday lunchtime. Bank Holiday Special The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £10 (£9). See Thu 28 for line-up.
Monday 2
Edinburgh Fit O’ The Giggles Out With the Old City Café, 19 Blair Street, 220 0125. 8.30pm. £3 (£2). The evening formerly known as Absolute Beginners, with weekly host Keara Murphy. Red Raw The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2. Quality new talent night hosted by old hands Caroline Mabey and Chris Forbes. The Beehive Comedy Club Newbees Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8.30pm. £2 (£1). Ben Verth steps up to introduce the Monday night new talent, with the occasional old-timer dropping by to polish their act.
Tuesday 3
Glasgow Red Raw The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £2. A breathless evening of up-and-coming talent with hosts Rebecca Donohue and Gary Little. Edinburgh Wicked Wenches The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £3). Monthly showcase of the finest female comedy with resident compère Susan Calman and ludicrously talented ladies Marian Pashley, Caroline Mabey, Lucy Oldham and Sarah Cassidy.
Wednesday 4
Glasgow FREE The West End Comedy Basement Tennent’s Basement Bar, 191 Byres Road, 339 7203. 8pm. A new free gig on the Glasgow scene. Wicked Wenches The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £3). See Tue 3.
Edinburgh Unholyrood: An Evening of Scottish Political Cabaret The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, unholyrood.com. 8pm. £5 in advance; £6 on the door (concessions £4). Putting the rude back into Holyrood via poetry and comedy are Vladimir McTavish, Tom Leonard, David Kinloch and more.
✽✽ The Broken Windows Policy The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272.
8.30pm. £4. Monthly sketch show with Ben Verth, Larah Bross, Graeme Thomas, Sian Bevan and Dave MacGregor. Stand Up Comedy @ Maggie’s Chamber Maggie’s Chamber, Three Sisters, 139 Cowgate, 622 6801. 9.30pm–midnight. £4 (£3). A selection of fine comedians help you through the