HIGHLIGHTS Our pick of the best comedy events. For complete listings, see list.co.uk/comedy H
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FRANKIE BOYLE: I’M BETTER THAN THIS The Stand, Edinburgh, Sun 8, Sun 15, Wed 25 Mar; The Stand, Glasgow, Mon 9, Wed 11, Sun 22 Mar, thestand. co.uk We thought he’d gone into retirement, but it seems he just can’t stay away and we thank him for it. More dark, dangerous and damn funny stuff from
HIGHLIGHTS DYLAN MORAN: OFF
Mr Boyle. Please note: this is a work-in-progress show. TOMMY TIERNAN:
ALIVE Glasgow Garage, Thu 12, Sat 14 Mar, garageglasgow.co.uk Whimsy and occasionally dark observations. See feature, page 34.
THE HOOK SECC, Glasgow, Wed 18 Mar, secc.co.uk The Edinburgh-based Irish comic and actor Moran plays up to the stereotype of the bumbling, drunken Irishman, but his comedy is much more intelligent than mere cliché- mongering: on stage he is uniquely charismatic, a foul-mouthed mixture of
loveable and misanthropic, and always very funny.
LIAM WILLIAMS: CAPITALISM Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Sun 22 Mar, tron.co.uk Williams’ new show Capitalism is about many things: among them are politics, sunglasses, football anthems and his own comedic identity.
BRIDGET CHRISTIE: AN UNGRATEFUL WOMAN The Stand, Glasgow, Tue 24 Mar, thestand.co.uk The popular winner of the 2013 Edinburgh Comedy Award for A Bic for Her (based on the misogynistic concept of a pen shaped for a lady’s hand), delivers her follow-up affair. It’s no less hilarious, brilliant and hard-hitting.
The following selected highlights EVENTS are listed by city, then are listed by city, then date. date. Submit listings for your Submit listings for your event at event at list.co.uk/add list.co.uk/add NINA CONTI: IN YOUR FACE Tron Theatre, Wed 18 & Thu 19 Mar, tron.co.uk Comic ventriloquism from Conti, who manages to weave humour and poignancy into her shows.
GLASGOW SEAN HUGHES: MUMBO JUMBO The Stand, Mon 9 Feb, thestand. co.uk Quicki re wit and dark barbs from Hughes in this new show which is all about trying to evade insanity. Includes namedropping (he was serenaded by Robert Smith one time, doncha know?) and the realisation that he and his mum are never going to have a proper conversation. Also The Stand, Edinburgh, Wed 11 Feb.
MARK THOMAS: CUCKOOED Tron Theatre, Tue 10–Thu 12 Feb, tron.co.uk Intelligent humour about being spied on by a large company from the comedian, campaigner and writer of moving one-man theatre pieces. COUNT ARTHUR STRONG Pavilion Theatre, Sun 8 Mar, paviliontheatre.co.uk Steve Delaney’s deluded thespian creation returns with a new show.
LLOYD LANGFORD: OLD FASHIONED The Stand, Sun 15 Mar, thestand. co.uk Langford chats about how exasperated and bamboozled he is about so many elements of modern life. See preview, left.
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JON RONSON: AN EVENING OF PUBLIC SHAMING Citizens Theatre, Fri 20 Mar, citz. co.uk Social media has brought us many good things, but the downside is a distinct lynch-mob mentality when it comes to regular people who have said or done the wrong thing on Twitter. Ronson analyses the malevolent rise of online brutality.
BURNISTOUN: LIVE AND FOR REAL King’s Theatre, Sat 21 Mar, atgtickets.com/venues/kings- theatre The Burnistoun boys take their sketch show to the stage for one night only. The whole gang heads to the city centre including McGregor and Toshan the Quality Polis, Jolly Boy John, ice- cream brothers Paul and Walter and even the stubborn voice recognition lift who doesn’t understand Scottish. For Real. See preview, left.
FUNZ AND GAMEZ Tron Theatre, Sat 21 Mar, tron. co.uk Daft award-winning comedy show from Phil Ellis, whose buddies Jim Elf, Uncle Mick and Bonzo the Dog provide family fun that appeals to all ages. See Kids preview, page 66.
JANEY GODLEY: OH MY GODLEY! Òran Mór, Fri 27 & Sat 28 Mar, oran- mor.co.uk Killer comedy from Lady Godley with a show that promises
no-holds-barred humour and few prisoners.
PHIL KAY: STILL WHOLLY VIABLE The Griffin, Fri 27, Sun 29 Mar, thegriffinglasgow.co.uk Scottish comedy legend Phil Kay performs in an entirely unpredictable nature over a pair of joy-i lled evenings.
ALUN COCHRANE: (ME NEITHER) The Stand, Sun 29 Mar, thestand. co.uk The laconic Glasgow-born Yorkshireman returns with some more splendid observations about the modern world, not being famous and the perils and daddyhood.
EDINBURGH
SIMON AMSTELL: TO BE FREE The Queen’s Hall, Fri 6 Feb, thequeenshall.net Stand-up and former Buzzcocks presenter with his acerbic, self-deprecating humour taking on freedom, suffering, forgiveness and other cheery topics. Also Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 18 & Thu 19 Mar, citz.co.uk
GILDED BALLOON COMEDY NIGHTS The Studio at Festival Theatre Sat 7 Feb, Sat 7 Mar, edtheatres. com/studio The Gilded Balloon are on a mission to keep the spirit of the Fringe alive throughout the year. We approve. They’re hosting a handful of hot comedians on the i rst Saturday every month, featuring the likes of young bucks Joel Dommett and Katie Mulgrew (pictured).
JOKE THIEVES The Stand, Wed 25 Feb, thestand. co.uk In this show of two halves, comedians perform their own sets and then attempt to mimic each other’s, with hilarious yet potentially cringeworthy results. SUSAN CALMAN: LADY LIKE Traverse Theatre, Wed 4 Mar,
traverse.co.uk The Calmanator’s latest show explores the different ways one can be ‘lady like’, mental health and an interesting honeymoon in the sewers of Paris. See preview, left. Also Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Sat 21 Mar, citz.co.uk
JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH: A WEE KEN TO REMEMBER Queen’s Hall, Fri 13 Mar, thequeenshall.net Versatile singer and organist, John Shuttleworth wants to share fond memories of his favourite past weekends. However, a typo on the poster means John is obliged to spend the evening paying homage to his next-door neighbour and sole agent, the diminutive Ken Worthington. Also Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Mon 16 Mar, citz.co.uk
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STEWART LEE: A ROOM WITH A STEW Festival Theatre, Sun 15 Mar, edtheatres.com The latest show from Lee to promote his next Comedy Vehicle DVD. A series that won him Best Male Television Comic and Best Comedy Entertainment Programme at the British Comedy Awards in 2011. Also SECC, Glasgow, Thu 19 Mar, secc.co.uk
JOSIE LONG: CARA JOSEPHINE The Stand, Tue 17 Mar, thestand. co.uk Long’s latest is a typically optimistic look at both love and being ‘as outdoorsy as a bear’ (which is pretty darn outdoorsy). See First & Last, page 96. Also The Stand, Glasgow, Wed 18 Mar. 13 Nov–11 Dec 2014 THE LIST 57 5 Feb–2 Apr 2015 THE LIST 57