I Have An Awful Lot To Say.

It's been quite a while since I last blogged and so much has happened in such a short period of time. I went to a fair few gigs, fell in love with someone who loved me back but I couldn't have, quit my job and I moved back to Perth to live. Blimey. Okay, enough of the personal stuff...

Rich Fulcher: Tiny Acts of Rebellion. Soho Theatre.

With the help of the brilliant Arnab Chanda, Rich Fulcher teaches us how to "stick it to the man" through small tasks that we can use in day-to-day life. Silly grown-ups are my favourite kind of grown-ups.

Max & Ivan are Holmes and Watson. Soho Theatre.

I enjoyed the show just as much as the first time I saw it. I took a colleague along and she giggled the whole way through.

Reggie Watts. Roundhouse.

This was he most bizarre show i've seen from Reggie Watts. He's got all the moves and his voice is incredible. He filled every inch of that iconic venue with his awesomeness.

Sex With A Stranger. Trafalgar Studios.

This is the latest play by the excellent Stefan Golaszewski. I love how real and relatable his work is. Russell Tovey gave an absolutely blinding performance. (I saw the play twice).

Mark Watson: Work in Progress. Soho Theatre.

I got a little worried when I saw the first work in progress in Edinburgh, but there was really no need for concern. I laughed loads and it was great to be in the company of my bestest friends (if you're reading this Anna, Kate, Kerri or Rachel, I MISS YOU!!).

Tim Minchin. Kings Place.

I don't think the opportunity to see a full Minchin show in an intimate theatre will arise again any time soon; I was more than happy with my 3rd row seat. The drums vs. piano bit between Tim and Brad during Darkside was IMMENSE.

A thought.

I feel i'm a bit too old to fall in love for the first time at the age of 26. Oh god.

The Pajama Men: In The Middle Of No One. Charing Cross Theatre.

It was a chilly Saturday night and after spending the day snuggled under a duvet, it was hard to make the effort to go out but i'm very glad I did. This was my second time seeing this particular show and it was by no means any less funny. I actually didn't realise how much of their material was observational comedy.

Go and see the Pajama Men for yourself if you ever get the chance, they're so much better live; seriously clever and funny guys. Not many people can jump from character to character in quick succession and have the voices, movement and stature of the characters they're embodying so down pat.

A thought.

I haven't seen 2 of my closest friends since well before Christmas. It makes me pretty sad.

School Night. New Red Lion Theatre.

I'm not very good at becoming a regular at monthly comedy nights, but I do hope to make School Night an exception. Mr. Matt Parker took us for Maths, Mr. Steve Pretty took us for Music, Miss. Helen Arney took us for PSHE (I swear we don't have this in Australian Catholic schools!), Mr. Steve Mould took us for Science, Mr. Humphrey Ker took us for History and our head teacher was Mr. Matthew Crosby.

Highlights included Mr. Crosby's true stories from when he was an actual teacher, Mr. Mould dressing up as a Lego man and Mr. Ker talking about British history from the Battle of Hastings in 1066 right up until the year 2000.

I can't stress how brilliant Humphrey Ker was, clearly battling a nasty cold and not really seeming to know what he was going to say, he managed to make an hour of chat on his favourite subject incredibly funny. Also, his turn of phrase is just the best: "I don't know if you can tell, but I went to quite a posh school. SAY WHAAAAT?!".

A thought.

Having a tuck shop at a comedy gig is a sure-fire way to make it the best comedy gig that ever was.

Ladykillers. Guilgud Theatre.

Take a bow Graham Linehan, Ladykillers is FANTASTIC. Brilliant cast, wonderful set, superb writing. "Old people give me the penises" will keep me giggling forever. Special mention to Peter Capaldi who plays Professor Marcus. Who new gangs, heists and death could be so funny?

For a proper review, look no further than Anna's blog.

A thought.

The people at my work suck at lift etiquette.

Ten-Year Self-Improvement Challenge. Update Ten,

Initial challenge can be found here and this is my update:

1) Okay, so I haven't been reading books... I have, however, been reading fashion magazines religiously. I promise to try harder.

2) I said hello to someone i've been meaning to say hello to for ages and a friend introduced me to someone else who i've wanted to introduce myself to for a while. Not bad.

3) I've been very slack for past 3 months, but have just bashed out several "recap" blogs.

4) Fail.

5) I'm so much better at keeping in touch with family and friends back home than I was when I started this challenge. Tick.

6) I've been so good all year and then it got cold and i've struggled. Still, i'm 3 dress sizes smaller than I was this time, last year.

A thought.

I've completely changed my life around this year and I have become a better person; there is still room for improvement. A lot less selfish, more happy and comfortable in who I am.

Recap. December. 2011.

Humphrey Ker Is Dymock Watson: Nazi Smasher. Pleasance Theatre.

Fantastically written and wonderfully performed. Kudos.

Karaoke Circus. Bethnal Green Working Man's Club.

The official start of Christmas. Best performance: Tony Gardner (yes, that is my woop at the start of the video).

The Leisure Society Meets The Heritage Orchestra. Barbican.

Supported by Lonely Deer. Absolutely fantastic gig, my only regret was that I was very tired and had to rest my eyes for the last couple of songs.

Tim Key: Masterslut. Soho Theatre.

Genius.

Freeze! Duke Of York Theatre.

Tim Key was on fine form. There may have been alcohol involved.

The Joy Of Sketch. Lyric Theatre.

The Penny Dreadfuls, Pappy's, Will & Greg, Idiots of Ants, Late Night Gimp Fight, Pajama Men, 2 Episodes Of Mash and Anna & Katy. Enough said.

I recommend reading Anna's review of the evening.

Ben Target And Robin & Partridge Work In Progress. Hen And Chickens.

Robin & Partridge are my new favourite comics. If you haven't seen them, please rectify this IMMEDIATELY.

Sheeps: Festive Bash. The Invisible Dot.

Sheeps are damn good, y'all. Mr. Swallow had some gripes about The Twelve Days of Christmas; funny.

Sam Simmons: Meanwhile. Soho Theatre.

I love this guy! Seriously. Songs and dancing and lots of sillyness. Also, profound.

Again, I recommend reading Anna's review.

9 Lessons And Carols For Godless People. Bloomsbury Theatre.

This has become a Christmas tradition; such a charming gig. Highlights included Robin Ince, Richard Herring, Jo Neary... oh and NEIL HANNON!!

A thought.

My last Christmas in the UK for quite some time and i've only just got used to celebrating in the cold.

Recap. November. 2011.

The Special Relationship. Concrete.

Without Tom Basden, Sam Taradash and Jarred McGinnis took up hosting duties. Such a wonderful night; i'm quite upset that I haven't been able to make it along to more of these monthly gigs.

Allo Darlin'. Scala.

Darren Hayman supported - he is so cool. Allo' Darlin sound rather different live. Lovely night.

Lady Garden & Friends. Leicester Square Theatre.

I'm not that keen on the direction LG are taking at them moment. Hannah Dodd still outshines the other members in my opinion. Jonny Sweet, Nick Mohammed and Pappy's were all rather wonderful.

Los Campesinos. King's College Student's Union.

Love Los Campesinos... can't say the same for their support band. Heavy Metal isn't really my thing. I'm glad I got a prime position on the balcony as i'm not really a fan of mosh pits either.

Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed Recording. BBC Broadcasting House.

Nick was joined by Anna Crilly and Colin Hoult. Nick's character, Sophie, is my second favourite character by Nick Mohammed (the first being Mr. Swallow). "I have to go, I slept with the window open last night and have a cold arm".

Matilda: The Musical. Cambridge Theatre.

Still one of the best musicals I have ever seen; just as good one year on. I think I liked it a little more when it was performed at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford upon Avon.

Discover Ben Target. The Invisible Dot.

Supported by Liam Williams; excellent. The funniest moment was when Ben asked his assistant that he'd picked out of the audience to hit him with the stick of humiliation and was then pounded by a sausage (not a euphemism).

William Andrews: TV. The Invisible Dot.

The Invisible Dot HQ was transformed into a television studios at part of a work in progress. Nick Mohammed as Mr. Swallow stole the show - just thinking about him wrapping up a knife in a tea towel and solving a rubik's cube on stage makes me giggle.

6 Day Riot. The Lexington.

Pippa Evans at Loretta Maine and Chris Peck supported. Fun times.

The Pin. The Invisible Dot.

A Work in Progress gig at The Invisible Dot HQ. Their closing sketch was by far the best - "may I please have the spring rolls" " is Pepsi okay?",

Mark Watson's Live Address To The Nation Recording. BBC Broadcasting House.

So much more fun when you're in the audience. See if you can spot me and my friends, yo.

Stand Up For Depression. Union Chapel.

An audience full of posh people; they were rather quiet... Daniel Kitson seemed to have lots of fun taking the piss out of them. Jonny Sweet made me get the giggle when he corpsed during his set: "ha, I just made myself laugh. Someone has to".

The Horne Section. Criterion Theatre.

The Wheel Of Wonder was on our side when it landed on Buckaroo and Boy Band - my faves. The band were joined by The Magnets, Pete Firman and Tom Basden.

A thought.

I went to York with my friend, Anna. I love families and babies and York and The Inkwell (above - I bought A Charlie Brown Christmas) and my friend Anna.