I clearly have no
issues travelling for gigs (well its clear if you follow my blogs/comedy) but
it’s always nice to have a home gig, Mr Bens is my usual home gig but I was
really looking forward to HOWL run by Thom Milson, Si Finnigan and the
returning Mickey Sterrett (he has been back in Ireland for a while). I had a
good feeling about this gig although when initially offered it i was worried i
would not fit the alternative brand HOWL is championing. It was to be an exciting
line up too with Peter Marshall the MC being the only act I did not know
already on the bill. It was nice to have a gig falling in my 6 month
anniversary week but even nicer to have one with so many acts who have helped
me understand the open comedy scene. I think my opinion on what is funny and
how comedy should be differs from some of these guys but given how subjective
comedy is this does not cause any issues, there is no one telling me how i
should think and i respect that even if they think i’m wrong. This thinking is
more prevalent with Thom from HOWL, he is one of if not the most hard working
acts on the scene and has some strong opinions on how comedy should work, i
think i flow against that tide in some ways but yet Thom was happy to book me
and support my style.
So the gig itself, i
had spread word at work hoping to get a few along and all day people were
asking me, are you nervous? No.... not at 10.30, no not when asked again at
12.16, nor again at 1.47 or again at 3.22!!!!! in fact my nerves now are
restricted to about 20 mins before going on and then the 1st min or
so while i am on. As it turns out there would have been no need to drum up
support for the gig as when i arrived it was already clear it was going to be
busy, Si Finnigan was warning me not to try new material as there was a special
guest too (Ben Breier offof Mr Bens) A game it is (i don’t have any new stuff
to try yet really anyway)
The other acts were
all gathering outside too and it was nice to catch up with them before the
running order was decided. I had made a polite request to go on in the second
section which was granted. The room packed, the scene set for a great gig our
host warming them up nicely 1st act Jed Salisbury burst on to the
stage with his energy and got the night off to a great start. They room crammed
with varying age groups lapping up Jeds set, brilliant opening. Andy Woolston
followed with a performance a million miles better than his last one at Mr
Bens, Andy was in fine form working the room beautifully, a joy to watch. The final
act of the 1st section was to be the fabulous Mickey Sterrett, i was
looking forward to this and not let down... Daddy had been drinking! Mickey
just owns every set he does and killed it. The night was buzzing the audience
loving it, well except for a small few at the back which someone had decided
MUST be my friends (they were not i had only 1 of my friends who was talking...
although she was the loudest!!!)
I only mention that
one negative to an otherwise superb night because i was on 1st after
the break and they were still talking through my set... but i enjoyed one of
the best gigs of my 56 none the less, there was at least 40 people in and it
seemed at some point or other i was able to make them all giggle. My set was
the usual stuff but i added some ad lib stuff which worked ok... well apart
from the Waco BBQ bit... i guess not many people know what Waco was so the idea
of the FBI being invited for a BBQ was not remotely funny!! But that said i had
a great time really enjoying my moment on stage in a great line up.
Next on was Simon
Gutherless, he has a creepy essence but he did not have his shovel and rubber
gloves this time, the 1st 2 mins of his set was slightly disturbed
by the creaky door but undeterred Simon won over the audience with his joke
rate keeping the theme of the night and the standard high. Thom went next and
looked uber confident. Thom’s performance was excellent, the kind of
performance he has been churning out recently and the audience were enjoying
every minute of it as was I, Jon Newell pointing out Thom has been nailing it
every gig recently, true dat.
Si Finnigan would
close the night. I have seen Si close HOWL before and this was similar. Si has
pacing and timing that work perfectly and can jump off from his set to attack
hecklers like a comedy pit bull before reverting back to jokes as if nothing happened.
I particularly like the French lessons bit and date night stuff from his new
material and thought it was a great end to the night.
Would just like to
mention MC Peter Marshall as his will Smith joke was best joke of the night
(although the guys in my office all thought Jed was best act of the night)
What a great night, i
really hope for many more great gigs like this in the future and to be booked
to do HOWL again one day.
Next for me Dronfeild
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