list.co.uk/comedy HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS

Zoe Lyons One of the most assured female comics in the country, the former Survivor contestant chews some sharp comedy fat. See My Comedy Hero, page 67. The Stand, Glasgow, Thu 21–Sat 23 Jun.

Fringe Previews Among those scheduled to give us some pre- August funnies is Phil Nichol. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 25 Jun, Mon 16 Jul; The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 26 Jun, Sun 15 Jul. Frankie Boyle Another clutch of work-in-progress musings from the controversial chap ahead of his Last Days of Sodom tour. The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 24 Jun; The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 27 & Thu 28 Jun.

Craig Campbell The Canadian whirlwind takes a roof off the place on his UK tour ahead of his return to team up with a couple of other north American buddies in August. See preview, page 66. Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Sat 30 Jun. Wicked Wenches This month’s female funnies are variously provided by Jan Maree, Sarah Cassidy and Eleanor Morton with Susan Calman (pictured with human) on hosting duties. The Stand, Edinburgh, Tue 3 Jul; The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 4 Jul.

Nige Scouse character comic Keith Carter has a few excellent creations in his knapsack but Nige is the marginally- stoned, full-on scally muso one who keeps coming back for more. Jongleurs, Glasgow, Fri 22 & Sat 23 Jun.

The Greater Shawlands Republic The Southside welcomes two Scottish Comedians of the Year, messrs Mark Nelson and John Gavin, for a bit of a comedy face- off. The Bungo Bar & Kitchen, Glasgow, Sun 1 Jul.

Comedy Variety Show Another quartet of Monday night shows for the stand-up newbies of the land, hosted by the disreputable (in a good way, mind) Keara Patricia Murphy. City Café, Edinburgh, Mon 25 Jun, 2, 9, 16 Jul.

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 21

Glasgow The Thursday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. 8.30pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Fizzy Billy Kirkwood hosts fab Zoe Lyons (see My Comedy Hero, page 67), fast-paced Nathan Caton and the charmingly-named Dogshit Johnson. Part of the West End Festival (hereafter referred to as WEF).

Edinburgh Gong Show The Shack, 119 Rose Street, 226 4311. 8–10pm. £3. Fresh comedy newbies are forced to compete against the clock for stage time and the audience’s approval. The Thursday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £8 (£7; members £4). Tonight Scott Agnew gets to grips with the outrageous Rev Obadiah Steppenwolfe III and John Scott.

Friday 22

Glasgow Enterteasement The Hold (Underneath The Admiral Bar), 72a Waterloo St, 07732 147345. 7.30–11pm. £12 in advance; £15 on the door; VIP booth and table service £90–£95 (students £10–£12). Mix of comedy, magic and burlesque. British Red Cross Refugee Week Comedy Night Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. 8pm. £12 (£10). An evening of first class stand-up. Part of Refugee Week. Cargo Hold Comedy at the Tall Ship The Tall Ship at Riverside, 150 Pointhouse Place, 357 3699. 8pm. £10 (£8). A motley crew of top class comedians storm the Tall Ship. WEF.

✽The Friday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879.

8.30pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 21 for line-up.

Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs, The Glasshouse, 20

Glassford Street, 0870 011 1960. 8.30pm. £15. Susan Morrison, Phil Walker, Joe Rooney and Keith Carter as Nige amuse the troops.

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–£7. Top local and visiting comedians tickle your funny bone in an entirely appropriate way. The Friday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £10 (£9; members £5). See Thu 21 plus Tom Toal.

Saturday 23

Glasgow Comedy @ The State The State Bar, 148 Holland Street, 332 2159. 8.15pm. £7 (£5). Some of the scene’s best comedians.

Jongleurs Comedy Club Jongleurs, The Glasshouse, 20

Glassford Street, 0870 011 1960. 8.30pm. £16. See Fri 22.

✽The Saturday Show The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335

8879. 9pm. £15. See Thu 21 for line-up.

Edinburgh Saturday Night Live The Shack, 119 Rose Street, 226 4311. 8pm. £10. See Fri 22. The Beehive Comedy Club Beehive Inn, 18 Grassmarket, 225 7171. 8.30pm. £5–£7. See Fri 22.

Comedy

5 THINGS

HUMOUR BOOKS I Suck at Girls From the guy who gave us the international bestseller, Shit My Dad Says, comes another painful memoir of sorts. Justin Halpern dips into his contemptuously bad love life to recall his tortured teenage relationships. It’s David Sedaris meets The Wonder Years if you can imagine such a thing. Boxtree. Man of the World Gareth May’s follow-up to 150 Things Every Man Should Know revolves around travel tips for the adventurous chap abroad. So, should you be getting married by an Elvis lookalike in Vegas or climbing Kilimanjaro or even looking to sample snake blood in Cambodia, this is your essential manual. Square Peg.

The Craptastic Guide to Pseudo-Swearing Why drop an F or C-bomb in less-than polite conversation when you can say ‘fudge’, ‘sugar’ or ‘swan in a ditch’ instead? Michelle Witte provides us with a dictionary of terms broken down into categories such as ‘sexy talk’ and ‘safe for church’. Running Press.

365 Reasons to Look on the Bright Side Subtitled ‘History’s Most Shining Silver Linings’, Richard Happer’s book is a textbook of positivity by exploring how the mother of Alexander Graham Bell helped make her son’s name thanks to her deafness, asking which Pope blessed coffee and realising that the bubonic plague had one very strong upside. Portico. Triggs: The Autobiography of Roy Keane’s Dog Great, another book told from an animal’s perspective. This paperback edition features the faithful Labrador retriever and its relationship with a master who just so happened to be one of the most controversial footballers who ever stomped around a pitch. Orion. (Brian Donaldson)

The Saturday Show The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 9pm. £15. See Fri 22 for line-up.

Sunday 24 Glasgow FREE Wasasa Comedy Night The Halt Bar, 160 Woodlands Road, 353 6450. 8pm. The Kasengele Brothers host this thought-provoking, creative night. FREE Fresh Meat The Butterfly and the Pig, 153 Bath Street, 221 7711. 8.30pm. New material night with six talented up-and-comers plus a professional headliner.

21 Jun–19 Jul 2012 THE LIST 65