After a day of Latin America politics I headed to The Union Chapel in Islington to sit on hard pews for some comedy. We remembered to take some cushions this time so my back isnāt as bad as it could have been today.
The line up was Joe Wilkinson, Lolly Adefope with headliner Rob Delaney and compĆØre Ed Gamble. There was a choir too as itās christmas. There was a bonus Joe Lycett who opened the night.
Joe Lycett was very funny. We also enjoyed Lolly and Ed Gamble was very amusing. Iād booked it for Rob Delaney and I found him hilarious in parts but other half wasnāt so sure. We felt that Joe works better as a character rather than standup.
Last night I headed to Shepherds Bush Empire for Luisa Omielan. When the show was booked it was for her show Am I Right Ladies but her mother passed away earlier this year. So the show was about that, cancer, NHS failings, palliative care and cannabis oil. Doesnāt sound a barrel of laughs and some parts were really hard for her and the audience. She said at the beginning that people could leave if they needed. But at other parts she had us laughing. She had a standing ovation.
So at the Camden Head in Camden (wouldnāt be silly enough to think it was the one in Angel would I?).
Anyway here to see Sara Pascoe do some prep for her tour. Sheās actually on the door checking us off on the list.
edit - she was very funny. There was also Brett Goldstien too. Also hilarious. Ended up sat next to a woman who also works where my partner does. London is small.
Tonight I am off to League of Gentlemen Live at the O2. Have seats on the floor which is going to be interesting. Have fond memories of being hungover in Liverpool watching it with @pap one new years day. Pretty sure I worked one of their gigs years ago at the Guildhall in 2000. Itās a solo mission as my partner never saw it as he was faffing about abroad for a lot of the late 90s/00s.
This was disappointing. He spent 30 mins doing material that I saw him do 10 years ago. The second half was new material which was ok but nowhere near good enough to justify a full tour and tickets costing Ā£21. He really needs to write more stuff and he needs to make it clear that half the show is material thatās 10 years old.
I remember back in the day before comedy switched to TV (mock the week etc) all those on the live club circuit were quite innovative and updated their routines regularly - then they got on the tellybox and the same old gags got regurgitated & arguably are still being used.
I saw Sam Simmons at the Soho Theatre a few months back. This is the balding Aussie comic who is completely nuts. A small venue and I was just glad not to be near his audience walkabout. Some close to the knuckle stuff about rapists and a few odd bits, but mostly v good.
Just booked David OāDoherty for February. Saw him in Dublin on a stag a couple of years back and looking forward to the rematch