Long Live Comedy Review 12th January 2010

Review of 12th January llc@the dog and parrot

A direct contrast to last weeks empty gig which was a result of the weather no doubt saw the place jam packed, I guess there’s only so much crap TV you can put up with in January! Dan Willis was back to his usual Mc slot and believe it or not sober as a judge for a change, he's detoxing. So he had a great Christmas!

First up was Christian Steele - An actor/stand up believe it or not! a regular on the pro circuit and back up the north east especially to try new stuff! He talked about Christmas shenanigans, Cheryl Cole. He was all in black with a flat cap I don’t know who died but not him he was great as usual. Next was James beck, one of the first of many newbie’s on the night, Only his 3rd gig he talked about the catholic faith and going to hell.

Dan then explained about how two girls made a horror porno using mar bars (you don't want to know really). Next up was Harley he put on a brave show for someone new to the scene, tried something different along the lines of radical Afghanistan fundamentalism, it didn't really work, but you got to try new things in comedy and he gave it his best shot.

Up after the first break was James Christopher a long live regular with this week the shoes of a witch from the wizard of oz films i think but white! He talked about bullying, tactical gayness and his new girlfriend. Up next Martin Graham only his 2nd ever gig, wearing a stripy top he talked about dogs and being a student in a confident way pretty good going. Then there was Dickie Gardner another regular trying some new musical comedy about an old woman and dedicated it to his mate who’s birthday it was while simultaneously taking the piss out of him, very good set.

After the final break was Steve Hesse his first gig where he seemed very confident and comfortable on stage talking about the taxi driver who drove him to the cancelled gig the previous week, talked about the problem with having your birthday in December all looking very Justin Lee Collins. Lee Chamberlain was next, no stranger to the club; he talked about underwear, the internet and had some real snappy jokes up his sleeve. Finally stepped up George Zach the Greek wonder kid, who managed to wedge his way onto the bill at the last minute, he overran but was funny all the same he talked about his mum, ethnicity, avatar and food. It was a good start to a year of comedy at the dog and parrot.

LLC Review 15th December 2009

LLC Review 15th December 2009


The penultimate longlivecomedy weekly of the year saw Sharon Race take the emcee slot in preparation for her monthly ladies only act night at the telegraph. Her first task was to introduce regular emcee and grinning idiot Dan Willis, who despite being drunk again (for a change!) delivered a good pro set. He was on the shandy’s apparently, he must have had more than 20. He talked about the dangers of gigs in the middle of nowhere and hospital disaster stories. Next up Nathan Hudson, who has been to LLC a few times now and only gets better. Nathan looked sleek as he talked about beer percentages, women and computers.

Up after the break Paul Gerrard, wearing a nice bright pink shirt. Looking very uncle fester at this time of the year. Talked about chav’s and tried out mostly new material, LLC’s very own shotgun one-liner. Then there was Matt Burrows, new on the scene, talking about twilight and Christmas. He said the word pussy, but it so didn’t suit his little innocent looking posh face; it was only his 2nd gig.

The final break brought Steve Robertson, dressed very smartly, like a priest. Known for the time he performed hammered, even leaving his keys on the stage! This time he was sober-ish and ranted throughout his set, he did a recap of 2009 and slagged Jordan off big style and reviewed twilight. Next up Lee Kyle Twirled Sharon around on his entry to the stage and was another suited and booted act. Dragged the tone down but it style! He did really well for a new guy on the scene.

Finally it was Carlos, who was talking about women. Regular performer at the club and no stranger to controversy. Women confuse him; he talked about his relationships with women throughout his life, keeping the tone to the same level as the previous act Lee Kyle, pushing down the barriers of taste. Putting in a good set ending another good night down the dog and parrot. We even finished just before 11 this week for a change. Next week covers night!

gig review 8th December 2009

LongLiveComedy@ the dog and parrot 8th of December 2009

George Zach was emcee tonight adding his charm for only the second time at longlivecomedy. Not that you’d know that, as he owned the stage. Dan being out of his face was a mere coincidence. He wore a nice bright yellow t-shirt so we could all see him, how kind. Sharon Race was on form, but wasn’t happy with George’s introduction of “she’s pretty funny.” She humoured us about condoms and call centres. Sean Gorman next up, ex magician and stadium performer succumbing to the call of comedy. He was dressed stylishly and talked about sex lists. Doing a good another good set.

Co Longlivecomedy founder Pete Thompson was up next doing an amusing cover of fuck her gently by tenacious D as he’s away for covers night on the 22nd. Christian Steel was up next, once local pro, now living down south and it showed as he looked dressed for the harsh northern winter. Talked about mediums and driving stand-up comedians around.

Self proclaimed king of comedy Ian Todd up next, Ian took to the stage wearing his famous Freddy Kruger looking t-shirt, half of act pirate chat, he bounced about on the stage like an over enthusiastic child, in his nonchalant hyperactive style. On top form tonight, he talked about his love for classified ads amongst other things. Last up was Andrew Arrowsmith as Another just a minute was cancelled ironically at the last minute due to the start being the last minute before 11. Next time gadget. Andrew looked the part even wearing a tie, while talking about the perils of Tiger Woods and other new material. Next weeks the penultimate longlivecomedy outing of the year, followed by our Christmas special covers night.

Gig Review 1st December 2009

LongLiveComedy@ the dog and parrot 1st of December 2009

Another busy night at the dog and parrot saw Dan Willis take back his mantle as the regular Emcee for the night. You may have thought the theme of the night was animals from the comic’s sets, but this was just another one of many longlivecomedy coincidences. Nice to see a guy dressed as a zebra on the front row, I wonder if his Gran knitted him that garment.

So onto the acts, Peter Brush was first up with a Woody Allen like appearance. Throwing a few snappy one liners out there to the baiting crowd. He had a very dry self depreciating humour which seemed to work well with his persona. Next up was James Maynard who talked about older women the sexuality of cats and the snake that ate itself, quite confident for only his fourth ever gig.

After the first break We had longlivecomedy regular Michael Shields, who is always the creative artist trying out new things, no props this week he’s waiting for Christmas. He talked about his literal and non literal love of animals. Next up Dickie Gardner, a long serving dog and parrot regular who only gets better. Looking very like a cross between MacGyver and some guy out of twilight he is science apparently! He not anti anti religion that’s for sure and he does wonder if Moses was actually quite camp.

So after the final break we had the headlining act of the once local now London living Gary Colman (no not the American one) who’s currently touring his “Gary Colman is very rarely rong” show. He talked about being a have a go hero in Hackney, Dolphins, the sexuality of animals and what to do if you’re ever faced with a grizzly bear Canada style!

Gig Review 24th November 2009

LongLiveComedy@ the dog and parrot 24th of November 2009

Last week’s gig review

Well it was a packed night at the Dog and Parrot tonight you even had to queue for drinks! The notepad with comments on went missing this week so I will recap what I can from memory!

This week John Smith was comparing and did his hardest to aggravate the audience, especially the front row. His aggressive and nonchalant style was raising a few eyebrows, but he did well for a last minute thing. Dan Willis took a rest from Comparing and did a nice quick set, Paul Gerrard rattled through his set as usual with the fastest gag rate since Tim Vine. Sharon Race managed to fend off a heckler with great Style and Alan Fletcher was back after a long break and showed how much he's improved from his very first gigs which were also at the D+P.

Lee Kyle did well to make himself heard despite the problems with the mike.
Jared had a load of friends at the gig and they loved his stuff, his Ariel presence was strong indeed. Matt Pottinger couldn't use the broken mike so he just shouted his set which for his 2nd gig showed a lot of promise. Finally Nick Cranston closed the night with his usual foul offensive but amusing level of self depreciation. Yet again pointing out that no one understands women, not even women. More detailed gigs again when I find my notepad!

November 17th

LongLiveComedy@ the dog and parrot 17th of November 2009

A relatively busy night at the dog and parrot tonight as people are already looking towards the Christmas holidays, sadists but people all the same. Dan Willis was comparing again tonight and managed to whip the crowd in to a relative frenzy on occasion, while he discovered that schools no longer have nit nurses, so watch your hair people.

First up was Khan Johnson commenting on the economy this side and the other side of the Atlantic. His aggressive pace was quite captivating as he pointed out the problems with the star wars series of films and his disgust at the new pooh bear stories. Next up was Tony Basnett with a tight set, he’s from Hartlepool you know and is anti talk talk and points out the perils of playing fuck you roulette.
After the break Faye Burnell, who has a confident swagger even if she is lost when it comes to talking with strangers. Pondering what it is like to be royalty and contemplating which career path to pursue in the current economical crisis. Next up Dave Dynamite the veteran cockney nutter who is a true pro on the comedy circuit and had a great set, Dave too used to live in Hartlepool though only god knows why. Chris Errington next who likes to play bury your dad in the sand, is confused between fiction and reality and told us the worst things you could ever say to a taxi driver.

After the final break was Joe McLachlan who just so happened to be sat next to another Joe McLaughlin who he didn’t know, highlighting the weirdly randomness of the club. He gets shouted at, but not he’s a giant or anything. Joe talked about man-ly ice crèmes and hells angels and took pictures because he was forced to! The penultimate act of the night was Andrew Bremner who did quite well for a new comedian on the scene and he’s still only out of college playing only his second ever gig. Traffic cones and pandas were his main subjects as he questioned his own confusion. Last up was Dog and Parrot regular Carlos, who Dan commented “you’ll have never seen anyone like this before”. He thought Adam was a priest to confess his sins to and talked about his quiet disturbing recent miss haps, his ceiling fell in on his bed luckily he was on the internet at the time. Can men and women just be friends? And what do you buy a girl who has everything, for Christmas? He’s been talking to tramps and warns us to beware of bathroom mints! Watch out Peter Sutcliffe there’s someone new in town.

Finally a new review! - 3rd of Nov 2009

LongLiveComedy@ the dog and parrot 3rd of November 2009

A fairly busy night for November saw George Zach back for his debut Emc gig, “bare with me if I’m a bit shit” he said and it’s true that he started off slow, but before long he was spouting about the parallels between artificial insemination and date rape, classic Zach territory. If you heckle him can you do it slowly and don’t expect him to know who Terry Pratchet is he’s Greek you know.

So onto the acts of the night, kicking us off tonight was the excellent Dan Willis and even though there were only two women in the crowd, neither single, it didn’t stop him having a try! Dan even managed to find some positives in the men’s toilet which is no mean feat! And he doesn’t mind admitting that he loves his mother.

Next up was James Christopher, a veteran of the open mic scene he really made an effort to look the part, suited and booted. Self proclaimed Proclaimers/Dr Who crossbreed that certainly doesn’t like the daily mail and is envious of his gran who has been on TV simply for being locked into a toilet for a night and apparently there’s nothing worse than an IT illiterate paedophile.

After the break was Michael Shields who is truly dedicated to his art and will not pass up the opportunity of water on stage when he needs to wash his hair! He doesn’t understand the job market; we think he’s not alone there. Next up was Matt (didn’t catch his surname), doing his first ever gig, he isn’t shy apparently he’s just lazy. He stated the pitfalls of being ‘polite’ and being a Newcastle United fan, but not a Mike Ashley fan. He shares R Kelly’s optimism on human flight and apparently has a very long ‘extra’ leg.

Up after the final break was Harry Bentley only his 2nd gig but already showing signs of a bright future even if he goes to Teesside University . He definitely suited the pirate look, even if he was bitten by Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen as a child. He has a competitive dad who like most men gets bored when shopping and insists we all add him to Facebook. Watch out for this one!

Closing the night was Dickie Gardner who thinks no matter what you think of Josef Fritzl at least he doesn’t charge board and rent. Dickie doesn’t get women, I don’t think anyone does and apparently McDonalds in Grainger Street is where to see a real life re-enactment of the Jeremy Kyle show. He ended the night with a touching is somewhat disturbing coming of age comedy song about childhood experience. It was a great night and for everyone’s information, that’s not soap on the sinks in the toilet they are toilet mints, the joke it seems is very much on us.