Citizens Theatre

Glasgow

21/3/17

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Chris Ramsey at The Citizens was comedy genius.

A simple set and lighting echoed the title question mark in big inflatables, setting the backdrop for a domestic-based comedy that doesn’t slag off the in-laws. Ramsey is far too clever for that, being supernaturally funny. But first let me tell you about support act Carl Hutchinson, introduced to us over the tannoy service by Ramsay himself… ‘Don’t worry, he’s not shit.” How true.

Hutchinson bounced on stage with the energy of a lion, and launched full-blast into his job interview sketch which was good, but superseded by his Come Dine With Me antics. You will view Masterchef differently after hearing his take on garlic infused oil, certainly creative but superminging. Equally appealing was his take on vaping, and his vision of doctors twenty years down the line chastising us for being so vulnerable to inhale anything into our vital organs that has a 240 volt charge in it first…makes you think.

His twizzled take on the moustache and bearded modern man had the audience eating out of his hand quite deservedly. Politically correct Guess Who, veggies and his girlfriend spoiling their TV nights by fretting over where she had seen the actors before hit a chord with the crowd. This talented guy is worth seeing on his own and you can realise this by booking at The Stand in Glasgow, where he will be performing on May 21st.

After the interlude came our main man. Rapid-fire slagging of the man in the front row began, who looked like, ‘a highlighter pen  in his neon garb, leading to much hilarity…. kryptonite and beige suit repulsion jokes flew out of Ramsey so fast you hardly had time to laugh before you erupted again. The fact that Stu worked for Scottish government and his wife Clare for the Inland Revenue did make you think that they were plants for our amusement, but so what if they were? When asked what she did specifically for the I.R. Clare replied, “Tracing.”

‘Why, have they not got photocopiers? ‘ Ramsey  laughed.

The Gorbal, 10 inch pizzas from Asda, a whole manner of grocery items that will make the weekly shop a far more entertaining experience were all closely scrutinised and ridiculed with every fibre (pun intended) of humour wrung out those vegetables and citrus fruits. The program The Undateables got a rollocking followed by an original insight into our mundane bodily functions. Grandparents was a later topic and their penchant for wrecking established routines and turning the weans into red bull and coffee addicts with a need for a Sunday roast at 2am.  Ramsey’s insight into toddlers’ sleepwalking, with full audience participation, was another funny moment, as was his complementary jealousy of how his dad would have handled random drunk women adamant that the hotel room belonged to them.

I can’t recommend this gig enough so if you get a chance to catch him you will not regret it.

Reviewer : Clare Crines

The Garage, Glasgow

18th March 2017

A macabre dance led by a pie-eyed piper. A congregation of mostly over 30’s, loads of over 50’s, squeezed in flimsy pews to witness and partake at the Devil’s Altar! It was a sharp, sardonic, cynical celebration of stupidity. The intimacy of the venue and his ability to articulate into local context, any and all wryly observed comments on the current global political and cultural situation. First, an hour of cheers and laughter, moments of realisation, and contexts spun and shuttled, packing laughter into the room like threads shuttled in a loom.  He has to have spent the intermission scouring google earth and facebook , weaving further threads of precise and perceptive improvisation to rattle off a great big musical tapestry.

In the second set, Rob Childs, who has backed Rich on UK tours for 17 years, along with Mark Hewitt on drums and James Morgan on Bass claimed a place in the Scottish songbook for the memorable “Fur on a stick” and the mental “Collie Dogs”.  Brian and Scott from the front row were like fodder to the fiddler, and at least one of them has a new nickname forever and ever, and ever.  Rich Hall, whether you think of him as a panel show regular, a documentary presenter, a cunt of a singer, or the king of stand up, his passionate finale, “Give me back my Whisky” could be a contender for the post independence National Anthem.
What price, pure poetry?

Reviewer : Cai Storrie

This weekend Gary Little will be headlining the Big Show

@ Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh

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THE MUMBLE : Hi Gary, where are ya from & where ya at, geographically speaking
GARY : Glasgow

THE MUMBLE : You’ve done the Monkey Barrel before, how do you find the audiences
GARY : Great crowd

THE MUMBLE : When did you realise you were funny
GARY : At school I was the guy that made my pals laugh, and the girls hated!

THE MUMBLE : What inspires you to write
GARY : I’m someone who likes to tell stories, usually about myself. I’m fortunate that a lot of shit things have happened in my life, and people seem to like listening to these things

THE MUMBLE : What’s your favorite joke (by someone else)
GARY : I can’t think of anything specific just now

THE MUMBLE : Ok, instead of your favorite joke, how abour your favorite comedians
GARY : That’s as hard! Billy Connolly and Chic Murray are just 2 of them

THE MUMBLE : You’re not afraid to admit you’ve served time – in fact it formed the basis of your 2009 Fringe show – where did you find the humour in incarceration
GARY : Prison is like a big school for adults, so there’s plenty of humour there.

THE MUMBLE : You’ve also done a number of comedy workshops for the prisons – can you tell us about the experience
GARY : I went in to give young offenders the opportunity to get some confidence. To feel ok about expressing themselves in front of their peers

THE MUMBLE : What does the rest of 2017 hold in store for Gary Little
GARY : Hopefully just getting more work. Along with Julia Sutherland(comic) I’ve just had a 4 part radio show (Jail Mates) broadcast on Radio Scotland. Radio 4 might be interested in commissioning a second series. That would be nice

Liberte

Glasgow

16th March

The Mumble likes to look at everything really. to get the full panorama of the cultural landscape; so when faced with the vast panoply of stars at this year’s Glasgow International, we thought first up to try somebody new. I was lucky enough to catch born & bred Weegie, Karin Nixon’s first ever full length comedy show in the intimate but busy confines of the Liberte basement bar. Prior to this night, her normal shows have been 5 minutes at comedy open mic nights, so it was understandable who entire routine was etched in giant prompt cards at her feet. However, this really didn’t effect the flow of a set in which her comedic, analytical mind seems to handle pretty well any situation life may throw at her – she sees the comedy in everything, so to speak. Perhaps that is down to the circuitous route she has taken towards the comedy stage; from doctor’s receptionist through post grad primary teaching, with a massive love of Coronation Street tossed in for the darker hours. Of her transition from wee snippet sets to hour long comedy, Karin told the Mumble; ‘Two days before GICF deadline last October made decision to put on solo show (having only been doing 5-10 minutes). Madness – but March was miles away. Luckily had built stash of writing. Cut lots of it up – put on bed – rearranged it and Hey Presto – Show! First performance was on show night – 16th March.’

Spending an hour with Karin is rather akin to having that mad auntie round for afternoon tea, who rattles on with hypnotizing monologues at break-neck speed, taking time out only to share out the oven-fresh brownies she’d baked that morning. Karin had instead put plates full of sweets about the tables – but you get the idea. As she rumbled through her set, I soon came to discover that Karin is a gentle soul, empathetic to elastic bands & coffee lids, to her all existence is personified into her little pals. Also, not many comedians take an interval during their hour-long show but Karin did, branding it a ‘ten minute comfort & beverage break’ adding to the joyous informality of it all. Whilst getting our drinks, we were also invited by Karin to write on a slip of paper what they thought Braehead shopping centre had forbidden people to do alongside more traditional shopping centre no-nos. After the break, Karin began to read them out; vajazzling & Irish dancing were two of the funny, but incorrect replies. The answer is quite astonishing, &  I urge a future possible Nixon virgin to go along & find the answer for themselves, by which time, I am sure, this very funny comedian would have lost her nerves & become comfortable with her own funniness so much that she has enabled herself with a delivery to match.

Reviewer : Damian Beeson Bullen

This weekend sees Eddy Brimson headlining the Big Show at the Monkey Barrel Comedy Club in Edinburgh. Last weekend, The Mumble managed to track the fellow down & grab a few moments;

THE MUMBLE : Hi Eddy, so where ya from & where ya at, geographically speaking?

EDDY : People hear the accent and think I’m from London but I’m not. My folks are cockneys but I was born and breed in Hemel Hempstead, which makes me a Haemorrhoid. I now live in Edinburgh and absolutely love the place. I’ve been very fortunate on the travelling front, but you’d go some to beat Edinburgh.

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THE MUMBLE : You had a particularly circuitous route into stand-up, can you tell us about it:

EDDY : My Dad worked the folk circuit for 40 odd years. He was a fantastic story and joke teller, and so I owe most of it to him. That said I never thought I’d end up being a comedian. I used to write books about football, mainly factual.

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THE MUMBLE : When did you realise you were funny:

EDDY : My mates are all far funnier than I am, but being funny on stage is very different to being funny off it. My Dad taught me how to tell a joke to a crowd.

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THE MUMBLE : What makes you laugh personally:

EDDY : You can’t beat real life. All the best stuff happens in front of you. Most of my material is based on real life events. Life is funny, even the bad bits.

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THE MUMBLE : What inspires you to write:

EDDY : I’ve got fish to feed. Those flakes don’t grow in fields … well … you know what I mean.

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THE MUMBLE : You’ve toured the world as a comic, including Burma : what was that gig like:

EDDY : Flew out Tuesday morning, did the gig and then straight back to the airport and home. Might as well have driven to Bathgate.

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THE MUMBLE : You’ve been up at the Fringe before, how do you find Edinburgh in August:

EDDY : The Festival is both brilliant and brutal. So many talented people beating themselves up for not being noticed.

THE MUMBLE : You’ve made a few films concerning football, where do you own allegiances lie:

I follow Watford and Hemel Hempstead Town. I’ve been to a few games up here but … really!

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THE MUMBLE : What is your favorite joke:

Not a joke as such but a great mate and comedian once tweeted from a toilet: Opps no paper, goodbye socks. I’m laughing just typing that. I can be in the most random place, that will come into my head and I laugh like an idiot.

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THE MUMBLE : What does the rest of 2017 hold in store for Eddy Brimson?

I shall be at the Festival doing a show titled Knee Pads & Lemons. I’m also currently writing my 2nd novel, which is very exciting.