Comedy Gigs Of The Week: Long Time No See
By Andrew Dipper on January 24, 2012 in Stage
With January a typically slow month in the comedy world, I’ve been trying my hardest in the past few weeks to stop sounding like a broken record. The Grinning Idiot, one of the North East’s best nights out, has taken a month-long break from stand-up and I’m beginning to suspect I should have too. So, without further ado, this is me trying my hardest to stop sounding like a broken record:
As per usual, get yourself to The Stand in Newcastle on Tuesday. Their comedy connoisseur collection continues this evening and, as a rule, generally offers two hours of decent stand-up at a cheaper rate than you’d pay at the nearby theatres. If you’re a fan of radio comedy you should be aware of Fred MacAulay – he’s been presenting MacAulay and Co on BBC Radio Scotland since mid-1997, as well as bits and pieces on Radio 4, too. So, if you fancy seeing him do comedy at your face rather than your ears (I’m not sure if that makes sense either), pay the Newcastle Stand a visit tonight. From what I understand tickets are limited – so it might be worth booking in advance on their website.
Generally I wouldn’t recommend beginners’ or new material nights in a ‘best of the week’ type column, as the chances are you’ll experience a huge variety in terms of quality – and one too many rape gags. But Red Raw at the Newcastle Stand offers ten acts for £2, with Nathan Caton headlining.
I’ve been a fan of Caton for a while now – he’s technically a very good (and funny!) comedian who possesses a fantastic wit. Well worth reading Giggle Beats’ review of his appearance in York, too, if you’re undecided about going. As well as tomorrow’s spot at The Stand’s beginners’ night, Caton will also appear alongside Susan Calman on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which is also worth considering.
One of the finest rooms in the North East, Stockton ARC is the home of Ten Feet Tall’s Catch 22 Comedy Club, who this Friday showcase Dave Longley, Dave Twentyman and MC Danny McLoughlin. £12 a ticket for this, and you can find more information here.
Finally, we come to the clear highlight of the week – presuming we’re operating from Tuesday to Tuesday. Monday 30th January sees Josie Long bring her five star rated (by me, anyway…) show, The Future is Another Place, to the Jersey Farm in Barnard Castle. In her interview with Elliott Clarke, Josie told Giggle Beats:
“The new show is about trying not to get too angry. I’m tormented by this anger that I didn’t ask for, and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m annoyed that the world is not how I’d like it, and I wish that I could change it.
“My favourite thing about the shows is that people find it helpful to know they’re not alone. I want to find some people who’ve been affected by the cuts, try to give them the strength to campaign against them.
“I left university with £17k student debt, and that’s basically nothing. If I’d have been from the same background now I’d have £80k of debt. To me, that’s a horrible crime against people who’ve got no money, it’s taking away the whole notion that intellectual development is for everyone. I feel that on an ideological level they’re so different to me.”
I really can’t stress enough how good Josie Long’s latest show is. Ever since I reviewed her in Edinburgh last year I’ve been encouraging people to go to her shows, follow her on Twitter (which you can do by clicking here) and generally support her work. Tickets are £12, buy them here. Go on, do it.
And, before you say it, I think I know what you’re thinking
Related Posts:
- Comedy Gigs Of The Week: Standing Suggestibly
Comedy Gigs Of The Week: Frogs, Buckets, Boots, But No Aliens
5 Responses
Comedy Gigs Of The Week, and our pals from @GiggleBeats tell us what's on. Includes an interview with @JosieLong! | http://t.co/u9HD2fCD
My @kyeotv column is online now & features snippet from @EJ_Clarke's @GiggleBeats interview with Josie Long. Read here: http://t.co/ewdzhqOM
This week's @kyeotv features @StandNewcastle, @tentweettall and @Funnywaytobe. Read here: http://t.co/ewdzhqOM
This week's @kyeotv features @StandNewcastle, @tentweettall and @Funnywaytobe. Read here: http://t.co/ewdzhqOM
Elliott Clarke of Giggle Beats makes Monday's gig with Josie Long the comedy gig of the week http://t.co/kjcFoYgb on KYEO TV. @gigglebeats