Comedy Nights @ The Lyric Hammersmith.

Last night I went to the Lyric to see Comedy Nights, hosted by Richard Herring. The line-up was another cracker and included Jack Whitehall, Dara O'Briain, Shappi Khorsandi and Jason Manford.

I really like Jack's material, but I don't like his delivery; he seems to speak through his nose and puts on quite a distressed/angry voice. I have to listen really hard to listen to what he's saying.

Dara was the secret guest comedian and it was the first time that i've seen him live. He's a completely charming, rational and skeptical man and I thoroughly enjoyed his set (he was trying out new material for an up and coming tour). He came out with a chair and a notebook full of ideas and warned us that his set may be extremely rough. I loved his bike rider material (complete with physics jokes!).

I really enjoyed Shappi's set; the last few times that i've seen her i've been a little bit disappointed. She tried out quite a smutty joke that fell a little bit flat (I thought it was hilarious) and promised to never do it again.

I loved Jason Manford's jokes about his baby twin girls, particularly the one about wrapping a baby like a burito "gaucamole. Sudocream. Done". There's a certain joke in which he asks the audience what the worse type of pain is. The top two are usually child birth and a kick in the bollocks... last night one of the suggestions was heartbreak. Jason looked quite taken aback and told the man that he's performed the show 150 times and that is the first time someone has given that answer.

A thought.

Since when did row C become front row?

O'Doh-Party.

I had been looking forward to seeing David O'Doherty (in the Lorenz Auditorium at Soho Theatre) for weeks. It'd been way too long since I last saw him live; way back in August at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The stage was set for a play (This Wide Night, I think) complete with two couches, shower and window (that rained!). O'Doherty joked that it seemed like a typical, bleak, Irish play. My friends and I really hoped that he would muck around with the set (pre-show discussion) and we weren't disappointed.

The window was full of water and had started to drip, David seemed a little bit concerned that he'd get electrocuted so the stage manager came down and put a bucket under the dripping (there was a moment of silence when all you could here water droplets hitting the bottom of the bucket). As she was walking back up to the sound desk (and had her back turned), David showed us that the set had actual running water.

There was a little bit of "plinky-plonky", a little bit of stand-up (usually funny ancedotes) and some excerpts from 100 Panda Facts that he penned with his pals Claudia O'Doherty and Mike Ahern ("did you know that if a Panda gets struck by lightning, its black hair turns white and its white hair turns black? These bears are know to Pandologists as negative Panda's").

The last song of the show "Everything is not Shit" was written for a friend that was a little bit down and is really beautiful. I always tear up a little bit while listening to that song.

My favourite quote of the evening was when David first came onto the stage and put his Yamaha keyboard on his lap and exclaimed "I am Florence and this is my machine". I really enjoyed his story about the dog that he almost killed too (which was made even funnier when the person who's dog that story was about was in the audience).

I enjoyed the show so much that i'm going back to see it again on Saturday.

A thought.

I try not to be a complete fangirl, but it's so hard.

Fat Tuesday.

I had tickets to see Pappy's at Leicester Square Theatre, but the line-up at Fat Tuesday was just too good to resist (James Sherwood, Ava Vidal, Mark Watson and, as always, compared by Tiernan Douieb).

The crowd are always very enthusiastic and supportive. There were a few rowdy wine drinkers in the front row that annoyed me a bit; for me hecklers/loud people can really put a damper on a gig.

James Sherwood performed a similiar set to the one i'd seen at Live and Ungagged in Carlisle. I really like his comedy; it's very unique compared to other musical comedians. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't see his show in Edinburgh. Deadpan humour FTW.

Ava Vidal is good, but... her material is just not to my taste (and she scares me a little bit).

Mark Watson gave a brilliant set and had the whole audience in stitches. I really enjoyed his material about waterbeds (hope he keeps that bit in!). Two of the "rowdy wine drinkers" whispered to each other while Mark was in full flow and he stopped and asked them what they said. The two "rowdy wine drinkers" then declined to say and Mark responded with the most excellent comeback; likening the whispering to a foul right in front of the umpire (there was more but because I don't know much about football, it's hard for me to explain). It was soooooo funny.

A thought.

I wish I didn't care what people thought of me. Caring what people think of me gives me paranoia. A lot.

Instructions, Guidelines, Tutelage, Suggestions, Other Suggestions And Examples Etc.

I was very excited about attending the launch of Tim Key's new book (Instructions, Guidelines, Tutelage, Suggestions, Other Suggestions and Examples Etc. An Attempted Book by Tim Key. (And Descriptions/Conversations/A Piece About A moth)) and for good reason, EVERY event hosted/supported by The Invisible Dot is COMPLETELY awesome and I couldn't wait to buy/read the book itself.

The night kicked off with Tim Key and Tom Basden taking to the stage. There was a bit of funny talk/banter and Basden showcased his new song; an electronic-type number that asked the question "what is a book launch?". The whole thing was quite shambolic, but very funny and brilliant and genius.

Kalki the Hula Girl provided futher entertainment with a hula hooping/burlesque routine. I've seen her a few times now, all of which have been at Ali McGregor's Late Nite Variety Nite. She's very talented and totally cool.

Everybody was handed an envolope with a page of the book upon entering The Invisible Dot HQ and after Key, Basden and audience member, Dawn, had finished reading "The Day The Policeman Met The Farmer" (complete with musical accompaniment by the "trumpeter from Madness", who played outside the room for "that distant effect"), each of us read our page aloud and were encouraged to eat it (although I think Basden and Key were the only one that did; they ate their way through half a page each. Good effort).

I bought along my copy of Key's first book (25 Poems, 3 Recipes and 32 Other Suggestions) just in case an oppurtunity arose in which I could get it signed. After I had bought the new book, I shyly appproached Tim and he happily obliged.

"Dear Simone.

Thanks for your unstinting support.

This one's a cooler book I think.

Tim. x"

I am chuffed to bits.

There was a lovely article written in (wait for it) The Sun about the book/book launch.

A thought.

Whenever I meet somebody I admire I never fail to get a bit shakey/turn red/mumble/say the wrong thing etc. It's very embarrassing.

Do Nothing.

Last night I went to the Royal Court theatre in Sloane Square to see Simon Amstell's 'Do Nothing', supported by Tim Key.

The last time I saw Key perform in a similiar theatre, he absolutely stormed it and I was hoping for much of the same. I enjoyed his set, I always do, but it wasn't his best. He had a screen up behind him which meant that he was able to showcase some of his wonderful short films (clips?) that he used in The Slutcracker. They are completely awesome! I love the one about dew, it's so so beautiful and never fails to give me goosebumps.

I saw Simon's show in Edinburgh the day after the 24 Hour Show (at which he had contributed a lot of time and effort) and he seemed distracted and often lost his way (understandable). The same thing happened last night.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the show, but it didn't really flow with the stopping and starting.

I laughed so hard at "It's so nice to be back in London. I've just finished a tour of the country (audience giggles)... we should really do something about that" and "[to audience member] what are you eating? Chocolate? This is ART... someone in Ipswich ate a Callipo during my show...".

A thought.

Rude people should be thrown out of a comedy gigs the moment they start disturbing others and/or the comedian on stage.

I say this because my evening at the Royal Court Theatre to see Amstell and Key was ruined by some very rude people sitting behind me. They clearly weren't impressed by Key and made sure everybody knew by talking really loudly about how much they weren't enjoying themselves. They were then over-enthusiastic about every little joke that Amstell made.

It Comes In Three's (Take Two).

A few weeks back I was a little bit sad about my best friend moving back to Perth, Tim Minchin's UK tour ending and my Grandpa not being very well and consequently, blogged about it. A friend from home who read the blog compiled a list of good things that come in three's and emailed it to me (the email was titled "g'day from 'stralia").

- the holy trinity! (haha, was seriously the first thing that came into my head, wtf!)
- neapolitan icecream (three flavours!)
- #3 tram is the tram that wizzes by my window (it just went by then!)
- Ben Folds Five (Ben has been on steady decline since his band of three)
- 3 Blind Mice (see how they run!)
- 3 wishes from the genie (i'm thinking of when N-fa played the timtam genie!)
- 3 is how many days until the weekend!

I'm not sure about the first one and the last one isn't always relevant, but it cheered me up so much. I love that girl!

Los Quattros Cvnts.

I didn't know much about the gig I was about to attend, nor did I know much about the comedians I was going to see.

Los Quattros Cvunts was a sketch comedy night at The Pheonix featuring Michael Legge, Jeremy Limb, Dan Mersh and Paul Litchfield with special guest Rich Fuller.

My favourite sketch was about a Twitter hashtag game (a huge in-joke) and I also liked the sketch about the Flaherty Brothers and Billy Sunday.

I'm not still not entirely sure about my opinion on Rich Fuller's material. I think he's one of those comedians where he's so bad that he's good... you know, like Brian Gittins (?).

I thought Michael Legge was the stand-out and will definitely try and see him again.

A thought.

I've made quite a few friends on Twitter, but always find it easier talking to them online rather than in person. Ho hum.

Falling Down With Laughter.

One of the funniest and most delightful comedy night's i've been to in a long time. The line-up was ace; Two Episodes of MASH, Delete The Banjax, Bridget Christie (as An Ant), James Sherwood, Pippa Evans, Marcel Lucont (MC) and Tim Key (headliner). See? Told you it was an ace line-up.

It was an experiment night, so there was some new stuff and some old stuff. I really really enjoy watching comedians try out new material.

We were treated to 3 new sketches from Two Epiodes of MASH (Joe Wilkinson was/is amazing!), a new character from Pippa Evans (as well as a new song from Evans's older character, Loretta Maine) and some new poems and a story from Tim Key.

Tim Key's story was the highlight of the gig. I was laughing so hard that it hurt, all I wanted to do was take a breath but he just wouldn't stop being funny (death by laughing). A friend turned to me after he'd finished his story and said "OUCH", ouch indeed. It was like that childhood game where you take turns to say one word, which in turn, becomes a story... except he made up all the words, 'twas BRILLIANT.

I'd been linked to a song by Delete The Banjax on Twitter and enjoyed, it was great to finally see them live. Their sketches were good, but not as good as their songs.

Marcel Lumont was the best MC. There was quite an interesting audience member in the front row and the exchange between the two of them was very funny. Every comedy show should have an interesting audience member in the front row.

It was nice to see James Sherwood again. He seemed to enjoy the crowd and asked if he could do an extra song (ah, YES!).

A thought.

I like laughing so hard it hurts.

Mark Watson Work In Progress. Hen & Chickens.

Last night I went to the Hen & Chickens in Islington to catch up with friends for their birthdays and to see an early work in progress show from Mark Watson.

I've seen little bits and pieces of material from last nights work in progress (at Live at the Chapel and a 100 Club gig) and have enjoyed it thus far. I think it's going to be quite a personal exposé, however, funny and charming all the same.

My favourite joke was Twitter based (I did the "lean forward while slapping the leg" kind of laugh) which is probably an indication that I need to get out more. I find myself relating to a lot of Mark Watson's jokes; always a good thing when watching a comedian I think.

I'm really looking forward to the Soho Theatre gig next month.

A thought.

I love nothing more than coming home on a comedy high and remembering enjoyable/funny parts of the evening that have momentarily slipped my mind.

Fat Tuesday.

I haven't been to Fat Tuesday for ages, like, before Edinburgh ages. I was still feeling pretty rough since coming down with a God awful cold, but Chris Addison was headlining. I'd forgotten who else was on the bill, so it was a pleasant surprise to see Pippa Evans as Loretta Maine and Dan Skinner as Angelos Epithemiou.

Pippa stormed it, as per usual. I really wish she'd release an album with Loretta Maine's songs, they're just sooooo good.

Angelos is a brilliant character! He sung 3 songs inbetween the stand-up. I do love a bit of silly comedy. Best joke: "what's the difference between a kangaroo and a kangaroot? A kangaroo is an Australian marsupial and a kangaroot is something a Geordie says when they're stuck in a lift".

Lots of new material from Chris Addison, some of which was really controversial. I did agree with what he was saying (he even called the Pope a cunt), but it's not what I am used to seeing from him. I'm looking forward to seeing the show in February (what's kept in/what's been left out/what's been developed etc).

A thought.

I'm quite (very) addicted to Twitter.

We Are Gathered Here.

So, the weekend starts and my body thought it will be a great idea to get sick. Dosed up to my eyeballs on ibuprofen and hiding my rough appearance with over-sized glasses, I headed off to the Union Chapel to see Daniel Kitson.

It was such an amazing gig. Who new a comedy show could be so funny, sad and uplifting all at the same time? The show was primarily about death and whenever things started getting a little bit heavy, we were made to laugh with an anecdote. Mr Kitson sure is a remarkable comedian.

His gags about glutony and masturbation had me doubling over in laughter. I loved some of his little sayings as well "who has two thumbs? *double thumbs up* Champion!", was a favourite.

If you ever get a chance to see the show, just do it! Okay?

A thought.

I haven't been this sick in a very long time. I'm feeling quite sorry for myself.

It Comes In Three's.

My best friend's visa expired and she had to return to Australia last week. I'm feeling quite lonely without her here.

Friday night marked the last time seeing Tim Minchin perform for a very long time. This also means that I won't see some of my lovely friends as regulary as i'd like.

Mum rang on Sunday to tell me that Grandpa isn't very well. I love my Grandpa so so much. At 24 years old he still calls me his "lickle girl". He makes me feel so safe, warm and loved when he takes my hand in his.

A thought.

Please get better Grandpa.

Ready For This? Southampton.

This was my last Ready For This? show, for like, ever. It's been ridiculously fun travelling around the UK (and even back to Perth) to see it.

The Southampton show involved a little bit of last minute planning which was full of fail and I ended up sleeping on an abandoned train at Portsmouth Harbour station for the night... but I shan't bore you with the details.

There was a bit of a blast from the past when Tim fell off the stage during his opening talky-bit. He made it look so accidental... but was it? Talking about opening taky-bits, it doesn't matter how many times Minchin says "Mr Wippy van man", I always giggle uncontrollably. I do love that line/the way he says it.

I really like the "Jesus on the cross" pose that Tim does when singing 'I Love Jesus' (arms out, head down and one foot on top of the other). Hilarious!

There were a few seating problems after the interval and Tim tried to intervene. He told them that they should fight before proceeding to find them seats down the front. The seatless people then went and sat in front of the speakers and Tim said "does it hurt your ears when I do this...", and started to beat-box. It was amazing!

I also loved the ad-lib at the start of Storm. The wine glass was tiny and Tim asked the audience if he looked like a giant, put on a deep voice and said "mmmmm, human wine" and then took a big sip.

There was little bit of mix up during If You Really Loved Me when Tim sang "crackers and brie" instead of "toast and pate". He started the verse again instead of carrying on with the "niggers and R&B" lyric.

A thought.

Some people have no respect. Last night Tim was chatting with a couple of fans while they were trying to get photos. They completely blanked Tim, got the photos they wanted and wandered off without as much of a thank you or goodbye. It was sooooo rude!