Who is Standing Up in 2013: Part One

Tom Stade, Elis James, Mark Nelson, Matt Price

18 – 19 January, Glee Club, Cardiff

Cardiff- based Elis James is a regular on Rhod Gilbert’s BBC Radio Wales show and his shows The Most Cautious Little Boy in Wales and Daytripper have been critically acclaimed. Matt Price also has his roots in Cardiff as he was resident compere at The Award Winning Yellow Kangaroo Comedy Club. An excellent performer, he is a great addition to the evening. Mark Nelson is an acerbic, dark Scottish comic. With one-liners and razor-sharp wit, he doesn’t pull any punches. But the reason to go to one of these nights, if not both, is Canadian Tom Stade.

With a surrealist edge, an inventiveness like no other and a beautiful husky cadence, Stade is one of the best comedians you could see live.

John Robins

26 January, Chapter, Cardiff

8 – 9 February, Hen & Chicken, Bristol

John Robins’ new show Incredible Scenes has a bizarre story. John was replaced by TOWIE star Amy Childs on a panel show because she has a better “back story”. This led John to look into his past and find stories there to prove he is an interesting guy. Thankfully, he turned it into a show rather than a showdown with Childs. John Robins is a fantastic talent. He is one of those comics who makes a gig look so effortless. I can’t wait for this one, and I hope to see you there.

In Bristol he will be joined by Welsh funnyman Matt Rees.

Lucy Porter

29 January, Chapter, Cardiff

Circuit regular Lucy Porter is recording her latest DVD for Go Faster Stripe at Chapter. People Person.People Person is a guide to the human condition, handy for Lucy as she used to study social anthropology. Key questions she explores in the show include: are humans inherently good or bad? And is it better to be lonely or surrounded by twats? Go Faster Stripe is a Cardiff-based company who produce some of the best stand-up DVDs being made. Lucy’s should be a real treat and it’s always fun to be in the audience for a DVD recording.

Mark Thomas

31 January – 2 February, Tobacco Factory, Bristol

Mark Thomas is one of the finest comedians working today. I mean really, he is an astounding comic or immeasurable skill. He is known for his political protests and shows but his latest, Bravo Figaro, is a bit more personal. It is about his father. Dipping into his past he discusses very candidly his father’s life: a self-employed builder who loves opera but has a degenerative illness. It is about love and death told with extraordinary storytelling and some gags from one of the best. Mark’s view on Bravo Figaro.

Lloyd Langford

28 February, Glee Club, Cardiff

28 March, Comedy Box, Bristol

This is Lloyd Langford’s first ever tour. He is a frequent writer for such comedians as Rhod Gilbert, Simon Amstell and Frankie Boyle (some of the better jokes I wager) but now he’s stepping on stage himself. As he puts it: “Expect a delicious mix of jokes, stories, observations, ad-libs, one-liners, accents, theories, topical gags and self-deprecation, all blended together to make a hearty comedy cawl (a type of Welsh stew).”

Lloyd is doing a lot of gigs around South Wales: his tour covers Swansea, Pontardawe, Blackwood, Pontypridd, Ystradgynlais, Monmouth and Llanelli.

Simon Munnery

15 February, Chapter, Cardiff

3 March, Tobacco Factory, Bristol

Simon Munnery is the master of the mad; ingenious insanity and puppeteer, poet and prop extraordinaire. Fylm-Makker sees him experiment with a tiny camera and big screen. It is complete with his usual assortment of visual sketches, hand crafted props and animations, linguistically beautiful poetry, music (well, “music”) and plenty of deep belly-laughs. Do not miss the chance to see this madcap genius. If you try and keep up with the stream of consciousness, you will be richly rewarded.

Tony Law

14 March, Hen & Chicken, Bristol

This man is finally making it. After decades of being one of the best comedians on the circuit people are finally realising it, thanks mainly to an increased number of television appearances. Maximum Nonsense is Tony Law’s best and most coherent show yet. His wit is surreal, his stories are absurd and his gigs are always hilarious. He is also a deconstructionist of comedy. He may look like he’s making it up as he goes along, but he knows the skill of stand-up more than most. BANTER!

Tony Law made it into my top 5 of last year, and he thoroughly deserved it.

Daniel Simonsen

24 March, The Brewery, Bristol

WOW, I really like Daniel Simonsen. He is a funny young comedian and I cannot wait for this show. The Norwegian won 2012’s Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer with his critically acclaimed show Champions and that is the show he is bringing to Bristol. Excitement already starting to build…

 

Who is Standing Up this Week?

Closer Each Day

27 November, The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol

Every fortnight the Wardrobe in Bristol plays host to Closer Each Day, a totally improvised and spontaneous soap opera. It has gained cult fame in Bristol and for very good reason. Local performers have created a collection of lovable, detestable and extremely watch-able characters. With no rehearsals, the energy in the room is engrossing. Closer Each Day is a solid feature at the Wardrobe, taking place every other Tuesday.

This week: can Rev Adrian recover from his crisis of faith? Will Harold save Fred’s Cocktail Bar? Is this curtains for Malcolm and Reg’s relationship?

Josh Widdicombe

27 November, The Tobacco Factory, Bristol

Josh Widdicombe has been spending the last year making quite a name for himself. He is a constant feature on the circuit, and has managed to get some cushy gigs on television panel shows. His apathetic demeanour on stage hides a really keen and excitable comedy mind. He is able to get irate about the trivial, and it is always fun to watch.

Comedy at the Wardrobe

29 November, The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol

If you have yet to hear the name Sam Fletcher, prepare yourself. This guy is on the rise and he has the talent to at the top of stand-up comedy as his nomination for best newcomer at the Edinburgh Awards 2012 can attest. This promises to be a fantastic night of comedy so make sure you’re there. If only to represent for me as well. I can’t go, but I have a reason…

(Sam talking at Edinburgh)

Marcus Brigstocke

29 November, Glee Club, Cardiff

On the same night, I’ll be here. Marcus Brigstocke is one of my favourite comedians. He is one of the sharpest and most intelligent political observers. Not just a comic observer. One of the best political analysts full stop. His new show is The Brig Society and I am expecting great things. One of his previous shows Planet Corduroy is a show I have seen far too many times (if you haven’t seen it, seek it out). Here’s an excerpt:

The Best in live Stand-up Comedy

30 November and 1 December, Glee Club, Cardiff

Glee Club in Cardiff presents regular comedy nights throughout the year but this one is looking special. Forget 5 minutes of James Corden (seriously, why did that cause such excitement?), here are 4 great comedians. George Egg with his briefcase of props, improvisational Ian Coppinger, the charming and effortlessly entertaining Andrew Bird and headline act Tom Wrigglesworth. Earning fame for his Open Letter to Richard Branson, he is now a firmly established comedian on the circuit as a gifted story teller.

An Evening with Jack Dee

30 November, St David’s Hall, Cardiff

6 years is a long time not to have Jack dee touring. He’s becoming a (too) regular part of panel shows but he has found a home for himself as the new host of Radio 4’s consistently hilarious I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. We all worried about who could possibly replace Humphrey Lyttelton, but Jack has become the perfect host.  But now he wants to “spend less time with the family” so he’s back on tour – to the benefit of all.

Stephen K Amos, Josh Widdicombe, Jim Tavare, Mark Olver 

2 December, Waterfront Square, Bristol

Here it is! What a way to finish this week’s look at Who is Standing Up – the Christmas Spiegeltent begins!

There are some extraordinary names coming to Bristol to take part in this festive festival of festivities. The line-up for the first night alone is strong. Bristolian Mark Olver is in charge of the evening as compere. The first act is internationally accalimed actor, as well as comedian, Jim Tavare. Josh Widdicombe is back and the headline is Stephen K Amos. Have a look at the calendar for Christmas Spiegeltent – there are so many good comedians coming.