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GLENN WOOL Greatest hits tour from stand-up troubadour
I t’s perhaps curious that Canadian-Estonian comic Glenn Wool should have been so comfortable as part of the Lumberjacks trio: he’s a comic who comes across as both completely single-minded and totally maverick. Then again, touring the country with fellow UK-based Canadians Stewart Francis and Craig Campbell was, by all their admissions, not so much work as hanging around with old buddies and getting paid for it.
In terms of his solo career, Wool has earned himself an extremely loyal fanbase, which is about to be fully rewarded for sticking with their guy. His new show is about as close to a greatest hits tour as you could get in stand-up comedy. The Jokes I’m Most Fond Of will cull material across two decades of performing and seven solo Edinburgh Fringe shows.
And before we forget, the rather unusual publicity image above is a painting by a Cardiff-based fan called Carl Chapple, who asked if Wool would drop by when he was next in the area. As the comic recalls, during the sitting he took the opportunity to soothe a raging hangover by discreetly closing his eyes. ‘I held it for as long as I thought would be acceptable. At that point, Carl said, “Hold it! Can you hold that pose instead?” Can I sit with my eyes closed when I’m hungover? I’ve been in training for this since I was 15.’ And before we forget again, some guy called Frankie Boyle will be providing support at these shows. (Brian Donaldson)
The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 28 Apr; The Stand, Edinburgh, Wed 30 Apr.
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HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS
✽ Alan Davies If you love him on QI and Jonathan Creek, you’ll adore the shaggy-
haired chap live on stage. So the press puff will undoubtedly go. But it may well be right on the mark. SECC, Glasgow, Thu 17 Apr.
✽ Aye Right? How No’? The indy
referendum will be upon us before we know it. Get educated (with laughs) from the likes of Vlad McTavish and Keir McAllister (both pictured), plus Susan Morrison and Alan Bissett. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 21 Apr.
✽ Frank Skinner Formerly the hangdog king of laddish humour, but somewhat
more circumspect now with his choice of material. Still bloody funny, though. See preview, page 52. King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Sun 27 Apr.
✽ Glenn Wool See preview, left. The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 28 Apr; The Stand,
Edinburgh, Wed 30 Apr.
✽ Craig Campbell The livewire Canadian
chap returns to his roots in search of a Thrilling Mic Hunt. See My Comedy Hero, page 54. Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, Thu 1 May.
✽ Rosie Wilby Some reflections on what it was like to be a feminist in Britain of the
early 1990s. And it’s a multimedia affair to boot. Summerhall, Edinburgh, Fri 2 May.
✽ Mark Thomas Celebrate May Day with some top-notch conscience-pricking
comedy. See 5 Things, page 53. Óran Mòr, Glasgow, Mon 5 May.
17 Apr–15 May 2014 THE LIST 51