list.co.uk/comedy HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS
Chris Ramsey It’s one of those ‘see him now before he’s enormous’ type recommendations as the Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee returns to give us some Offermation. And don’t come crying to us if you miss out. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 30 Apr.
Simon Amstell Not just a chap who used to upset ‘celebs’ on telly, Amstell is one of the most astute stand-ups in the country. See 5 Things, page 58. Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Thu 17 May; Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 18 May. Funny Bone An intriguing-looking new comedy night on the block featuring Scottish scene vets Vladimir McTavish (pictured) and Bill Dewar plus some surprise offerings. Fiddlers Elbow, Edinburgh, Wed 2 May.
Jimeoin The jovial Oz-based Irishman delivers a show that we can only describe as Lovely! Because that’s what he’s called it. See My Comedy Hero, page 59. Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, Sun 6 May. Susan Calman ‘The wee lassie with the big future’ we called her a few years back and weren’t we terribly Nostradamus-like? Tonight, Calman chats about cats. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 7 May.
Wicked Wenches This line-up of witty women features the talents of Caroline Mabey, Katherine Ryan, Pauline Curtin, Susan Calman and Susie McCabe. The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 1 May; The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 2 May.
Alex Horne To those who think stand-up is for ill-tempered rabblerousers, cop a load of one of the most intelligent comics in the biz. See preview, page 58. The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 22 May; The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 23 May.
Dara O’Briain Quite simply one of the smartest cookies in the comedy biscuit barrel, the Irish fella and host of Mock the Week returns with more lively observational craic and sharp audience banter. Edinburgh Playhouse, Thu 24 May.
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 26
Glasgow Comedy Night The Lee, 100 St James Road, 564 1218. 8.30pm. £5. Monthly comedy night bringing up-and-comers to the fore with the occasional pro. The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Slow-paced jokes from David Kay, also Andrew Ryan, Susan Morrison, Eddie O’Dwyer and Michael Legge. Edinburgh Gong Show The Shack, 119 Rose Street, 226 4311. 8pm. £3. Fresh comedy newbies are forced to compete against the clock for stage time. The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). The musically-minded Rob Deering headlines, with additional flat-out surreality from Noel James and support from Danny O’Brien and Bruce Devlin.
Friday 27
Glasgow Absolute Improv Vespbar, 14 Drury Street, 07909 822841. 8pm. £7 (£5). ToBeContinued take audience suggestions and transform them into fast-paced improvised comedy. The Friday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 26 for line- up. Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs, The Glasshouse, 20 Glassford Street, 0870 011 1960. 8.30pm. £15. Sam Avery, Andy White, Raymond Mearns and Mark Nelson make you lot laugh. Edinburgh Friday Night Live The Shack, 119 Rose Street, 226 4311. 8pm. £8. Jojo Sutherland introduces her pick of comedy acts from across the country. The Beehive Comedy Club Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8.30pm. £5. Ben Verth presents a weekend packed full of top local and visiting comedians. Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs, Lava Ignite, 3 West Tollcross, 0870 011 1960. 8.30pm. £15. Scott Agnew, Liam Speirs, Rob Rouse and Tony Hendriks amuse the troops. The Friday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 26 for line-up, with Rob Rouse replacing Rob Deering.
Saturday 28
Glasgow Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs, The Glasshouse, 20 Glassford Street, 0870 011 1960. 8.30pm. £15. See Fri 27. Comedy @ The State The State Bar, 148 Holland Street, 332 2159. 9pm. £7 (£5). The State Bar attracts some of Scotland’s best comedians to its basement of joy. The Saturday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 9pm. £15. See Thu 26 for line-up. Edinburgh Absolute Improv The Tron, 9 Hunter Square, High Street, 226 0931. 8pm. £7 (£5). See Fri 27. Saturday Night Live The Shack, 119 Rose Street, 226 4311. 8pm. £10. See Fri 27. The Beehive Comedy Club Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8.30pm. £7. See Fri 27. Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs, Lava Ignite, 3 West Tollcross, 0870 011 1960. 8.30pm. £15. See Fri 27. The Saturday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £15. See Fri 27 for line-up.
Comedy
Sunday 29
Glasgow FREE Wasasa Comedy Night The Halt Bar, 160 Woodlands Road, 353 6450. 8pm. Original comedians who steer clear of racism/sexism/homophobia to make this a thought-provoking night. FREE Fresh Meat The Butterfly and the Pig, 153 Bath Street, 221 7711. 8.30pm. Weekly new material night with six new comedians trying out their freshest gags plus pro headliner. Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £1). A chilled night of comedy with everyone’s favourite moustachioed funnyman plus Kai Humphries, Becky Price and Gavin Lynch. Edinburgh FREE Whose Lunch Is It Anyway? The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 1.30pm. Paul Graham and Stuart Murphy present another slice of improv action. Sunday Night Laugh-In The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £1). A relaxed night of comedy with Noel James, Keara Patricia Murphy, Richard Melvin and Will Setchell.
Monday 30
Glasgow ✽✽ Chris Ramsey: Offermation The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844
335 8879. 8pm. £9 (£8). The genial Geordie shares his thoughts about his family’s annual Round Robin letter.
Edinburgh Comedy Variety Show City Café, 19 Blair Street, 220 0125. 8pm. £3 (£2; £1 if booked in advance through lastminute.com). Keara Patricia Murphy’s new material night; anything goes (as long as it’s funny). The Beehive Comedy Club Newbees Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8pm. £2. Ben Verth steps up to introduce the new talent/new material night. Red Raw The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £2. Weekly showcase for new comics. With Damien Crow.
Tuesday 1
Glasgow FREE Pop-Up Comedy The Halt Bar, 160 Woodlands Road, 353 6450. 8.30pm. Picking out some fresh Scottish talent. Red Raw The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £2. Beginners’ showcase with old hand Stuart Mitchell.
Edinburgh The Beehive Comedy Club Newbees Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8pm. £2. See Mon 30. FREE Tuesday Night Comedy Jam Belushi’s, 9–13 Market Street, 226 1446. 8pm. Rick Molland presents a handful of comedians, with open spots available.
✽✽ Wicked Wenches The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £3). Susan Calman takes control of Katherine Ryan, Caroline Mabey and Pauline Curtin.
Wednesday 2
Glasgow New Material Night Vespbar, 14 Drury Street, 07909 822841. 8pm. £3. Julia Sutherland hosts a pick of newbies.
✽✽ Wicked Wenches The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879.
8.30pm. £6 (£5; members £3). See Tue 1 plus Susie McCabe.
Edinburgh ✽✽ FREE Funny Bone Fiddlers Elbow, 4 Picardy Place, 556 9933. 8pm. The launch night stars Bill Dewar, Vladimir McTavish, Harry Garrison and some surprise guests. Hosted by Steven Davidson.
26 Apr–24 May 2012 THE LIST 57