The O2 is a large arena for anyone to fill, let alone a stand-up comedian with a very simple show.
And Michael McIntyre’s brand of comedy is certainly simple. Describing his comedy style on the BBC, Michael said:
“I don’t really do jokes, I just talk. I tend to laugh at them myself because I find them funny. I don’t do gags, just observational comedy. I just collect all these stories and try them out.”
(Which probably means there’s hours of work behind making Michael McIntyre’s show seem like just one sweet bloke telling fun stories on an empty stage…)
At The O2, he certainly seemed a little less relaxed than when we’ve seen him on previous London stages (the Hammersmith Apollo, for example), but his comedy was as delightfully silly as always.
We loved the discussions between the different herbs lying ignored in the cupboard in favour of salt and pepper; the total destruction of the wine-drinkers facade; and the stories about his middle-class kids.
But we wondered if the warmth of his show was slightly lost in the huge arena. Who can blame him when the guffaws of laughter and enthusiastic applause going on around us can’t possibly have reached his ears on a stage so far away.
But as our guest pointed out on his first time to The O2, what an exciting venue to see some London’s upcoming sports events…
And if you want to catch Michael McIntyre in Greenwich later in the year, he’s back at The O2 on the following dates:
- 29 October
- 2-3 November
- 17 November
For a full list of tour dates, check out www.michaelmcintyre.co.uk.
This article has
1 comment. Why not add yours?
Oliver! Oliver! Never before has a boy wanted more…
I’ve had this song stuck in my head since seeing the Theatre Royal production of Oliver! last week. Directed by Rupert Goold and choreographed by Matthew Bourne this musical production of Dickens’ classic novel is an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular.
I considered myself at home as the familiar tunes were performed in front of amazing sets in Covent Garden’s beautiful old Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Whoever said you shouldn’t work with kids or animals should “eat their head”, as the kids were the stars of the show – first appearing as orphans, then as Fagin’s urchins and other London street strays. And Bullseye – Bill Sikes’ dog, played by a real live dog – was a big hit with the audience.
Oom Pah Pah, Oom Pah Pah, that’s not to say the adults didn’t belt out a few good ‘uns (literally, in the case of Sykes, ahem). Omid Djalili as Fagin was fickle, funny and just the right side of fiendish. And Nancy sang up a storm.
Proving you’ve gotta pick a pocket or two – I particularly liked the Act 1 scene where Oliver is sold to work in a Funeral Parlour and the undertaker and his wife were styled to look like Riffraff and Magenta – bit of a timewarp, but it worked.
This is a great production that’s suitable for young and old. I’m sure you’d do anything to see it for yourself and, luckily, all you have to do is buy a wonderful theatre ticket.
This article has no comments. Why not add yours?
The Camden Fringe bounces into town this August, bringing a month of brilliant comedy and theatre to London.
We caught up with comedians The Jokerists, also known as Rose Watt, Holly Burns and Del Des Anges to find out about their fringe show.
Tell us about your show
Rose: It’s what happens when no one says no to a stupid idea.
Holly: It’s called Comecidal Lolocaust.
Rose: We do twenty minutes of stand-up each.
Holly: Very egalitarian.
Rose: My bit is about my life since moving to London. With songs.
Del: I’m the childish disgusting one. The one your parents warned you about.
Holly: And I basically geek out over science to an alarming degree, with occasional singing and dancing.
Rose: Also there’s cake. FREE CAKE*.
Del: Come and laugh at our faces. Camden Head, tea time.
Holly: Ahem. That would be The Camden Head 4.15pm, 9-11 August. REMEMBER THE CAKE.
What are your favourite comedy venues in London?
Holly: Yes, do tell. I need recommendations for when I move to London.
Rose: There’s a new material night called Old Rope that I love because I’m a comedy nerd and like watching try-out stuff grow into actual routines.
Del: And I didn’t die on my arse at Lion’s Den, so that’s good.
The Camden Fringe runs throughout August. All tickets are £7.50. Check out the full list of Camden Fringe events.
*subject to availability.
This article has no comments. Why not add yours?
Vinopolis stages a comedy night called Laughter Lounge the last Friday of every month so my mate Jo and I went along to check it out. As neither of us had done a Vinopolis wine tour before and share a deep, rather uneducated passion for drinking (wine in particular) we thought we would sign up for the Grapevine tour as well.
Our Grapevine tour kicked off with a 20 minute lecture which was brilliant. We learned how to look, smell, slurp and identify the complexities, balance and age of wine. Then we were let loose on the labyrinth of regional wine rooms. Armed with tasting vouchers we put our new wine powers to the test.
The highlight was definitely the initial lecture, after which we sampled some lovely wines from Lebanon and Greece that we would never have bought from an off-license. The tour is an educational experience rather than an opportunity to get sozzled. That said, the final gin cocktail definitely put a spring in our step in preparation for the Vinopolis Laughter Lounge.
Located in another part of Vinopolis’s wonderful cavernous stone areas, the Laughter Lounge is a large room with a stage, bar and seats.
The evening was held together by MC Dan Atkinson whose self depreciating, political gags really did make everyone laugh out loud. Other acts included Matt Blaize and the brilliantly camp Topping and Butch whose fabulous, stupidly revealing rubber costumes and cheeky ‘Never Mind, Never Mind’ cabaret songs stole the show.
Although the seats are arranged auditorium style, it’s a pretty relaxed atmosphere that encourages everyone to make as many trips to the bar as possible. Which makes perfect sense, as it is a Friday night and Vinopolis is London’s shrine to wine.
This article has no comments. Why not add yours?
Six months ago when
Met Bar loyalist,
Jonny Awsum, announced that his dream was to become a TV presenter, we first congratulated him on the marvelous idea to publicise the quick-wit and quite simply rather strange sense of humour we had come to love, but we knew that his first appearance had to be on a stage here!
On Wednesday night Episode 5 of The Jonny Awsum Show took place with its winning formula of anarchic comedy, celebrity guests, live music and the infamous Rock & Roll raffle. ‘RE-DRAW!’ – Sorry, you just had to be there on the night! Think Jonathan Ross meets Generation Game meets School Panto BUT on acid! It is a spectacle that can only be truly appreciated by all those who have witnessed a show first-hand.
Wednesday night was electric with guests including outstanding British magician, Dynamo, whose celebrity followers include David Beckham, Kings of Leon and Jay-Z (we are all still baffled by his crazy mobile phone disappearing, and re-appearing in a glass water bottle trick!) plus live music from Beans on Toast, and singer-songwriter Jersey Budd. Best-selling author Suzanne Portnoy also popped in for a second appearance with a sneak preview from her new erotic memoirs.
Jonny is taking August off due to a bi-annual trip to L.A to meet with his psychedelic track-suit outfitters, and catch up with his Hollywood celebrity pals. He will be returning to the stage on Wednesday 16th September, holiday photos and all! For now, “Goodbye from the Jonny Awsum show….”
This article has
1 comment. Why not add yours?
RSS Feed
Loading ...
Francais
Español
Italiano
Deutsch
Nederlands
日本
中文版
русский
