This week we had a fabulous group of comedians, playing to one of the warmest crowds you can get in the North East.
Luckily for everyone there, Pedro Stonehouse bottled it completely and didn't even call ahead to say he wasn't coming, so we had a bill of 4 acts plus Callum and Al compereing. It actually worked out well because we were treated to longer sets from the more accomplished comedians.
Opening the night, Callum had a good range of Steve Irwin/ crocodile hunter gags, poor lad died (Irwin that is not Callum), but got the award for most ironic death ever. Just don't ask callum if he is homophobic.
Rob Riley gave us a good long set of fine material, political, sick, and a graphic explanation of the black death - guinness drinkers will know how he feels. I know I do. As a pretty well practiced act, he had a real range of material, and got the evening rolling well. He's from oldham. He isn't a huge fan of home.
Following that the rebirth of James Christopher continues, with some good off the cuff material, and the stunning revelation that he is the third step cousin twice removed from Peanut out ot the Kaiser Chiefs. Shame he can't stand them.
The second half was compered by Al Dawes, seeing as that is me, I don't really know what to say about it, apart from the fact that I found it a very cathartic experience, and did some new material that I was scared to use, but actually went quite well.
New boy Tom Roche - fresh from the Sarah Millican school of comedy - came on with some great material including a very good Hitler impression. His stage confidence never betrayed his lack of experience.
The competition yielded yet more gems. It was a Give-Existing-Words-New-Definitions comp, and the winner was Realise - eyes that are definitely there. Class.
Closing the night was Vladimir McTavish, one of the nicest guys in comedy (I can write that because I don't think he'll read this). Kindly giving us an extended set, he gave us brand spanking new material along with some of his greatest hits. His biting political satire includes an exploration of the ancient feud between Sweden and Trinidad & Tobago, and the gay solution to the Irish problem. Brilliant, and back at the Dog and Parrot for an hour long show in the festival. Seriously, you should come along.
So bad luck if you missed it, don't miss next week's....
LONG LIVE COMEDY
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