Posts Tagged ‘Comedy Store’
Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Showcase – Comedy Store
Monday 17th May 2010
Time for Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Showcase at the Comedy Store, as the first of five back-to-back comedy nights.
At the Comedy Showcase a couple of weeks ago, Imran Yusuf and Hal Cruttenden stole the show. Referred to as the FA Cup of Comedy, it was now up to a new set of 8 acts to perform their magic. Arrived early and chose the second row, purposely missing out on the front row and any potential eye contact with Michael McIntyre, in case he destroyed me again.
To be fair the front row provided excellent material for Michael McIntyre to comment on, especially the couple and her parents. Although, he was gobsmacked when a girl said she was a funeral director, only for her boyfriend to add that he tidied up soldier’s graves. To everyone’s surprise they didn’t actually meet at work.
Luckily for Michael McIntyre he had other considerations to worry about. Namely, the spider that was gate crashing the event. In sight of everyone, it was now stationed between himself and the front row. Something had to be done, as the audience was fixated on the spider. Obviously, he’s seen the original Karate Kid. A few swift moves and he’d dealt with the spider. Similar to his observation of people attempting to get water from the latest style of wash basins (those without the usual taps).
There was a variety of performances on offer on the night, including musical comedy from the imaginative Paul Thorne and the somewhat scary Loretta Maine. Good performances too from Andrew Bird and Saleem. If anyone was to edge it on the night it was probably Kojo, Andrew Lawrence and Paul Chowdry. However, my personal favourite was Ed Aczel. One of the most absurd, yet innovative acts I’ve seen. He’s unlikely to make it onto the Comedy Roadshow, as he’s not mainstream enough, but his work with the flip chart was hilarious.
Another superb night out, with some outstanding performances on the night. Good luck to all of the performers.
Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Showcase – Comedy Store
Monday 3rd May 2010
Following the resounding success of the Comedy Roadshow for both Michael McIntyre and his guest comedians, it was announced that the Comedy Store would host a series of eight Comedy Showcases.
Referred to as the FA Cup of Comedy, the show kicked off with Michael McIntyre warming up the crowd. I’d seen him the previous day, in another venue about 200 metres from the Comedy Store. Of course, by now I pretty much know the whole routine, even though he adds the odd new element here and there. I enjoy his interaction with the audience and was also looking forward to eight top comedians strutting their stuff.
I was gutted that I’d forgotten to charge the battery for the new camera. Even though there was an announcement that no photography was allowed, it didn’t stop a girl in the front row literally pointing her camera at him. After about a minute or so, a bemused Michael McIntyre realised that it was unlikely that she was taking so long to take a photo. ‘Are you recording this?, if so, why didn’t you wear all black and sit incognito further back?’ The cheeky girl immediately put her camera away, only later to give him her tickets to get signed, during the performance.
The performances on the night were really entertaining from Gary Delaney’s one liners to Andy Askins’ offbeat comedy songs. Good performances too from Rob Rouse, Charlie Baker and Lucy Porter. However, the stand-out performances came from Ian Stone, Imran Yusuf and Hal Cruttenden. All three had the audience in hysterics throughout the whole of their routines. If I had to pick one, and to be honest all 3 were exceptional on the night, I’d probably give it to Imran Yusuf. Nevertheless, I hope that all 3 make it to the Comedy Roadshow.
Superb night out, with some outstanding performances on the night. Good luck to all of the performers.
UPDATE: Imran Yusuf has been comfirmed as a guest performer on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.
