Glue @ The Grand

The show at the Classic Grand last night went really well. Not only that, I actually managed to stay to the end of an event I’ve been performing at for the first time in ages.

I have to admit, we didn’t thing the organisers had given themselves enough time to put an ambitious show together, but they pulled it off with some aplomb – kudos to Charlotte for that. Considering it was a blend of stand up, sketches and AV stuff in a venue that’s not known for comedy it ended up running really smoothly and was a really good night in general.

Compere Nick Davis kicked us off and Paul Pirrie and Dee Custace warmed things up for us.

We went down well, kicking off with Bertie for a change to try and grab folk from the off. We kicked ass as (almost) always in a short set that was well received by a smallish but very nice audience. Wendy, who came in with about one hours worth of rehearsal did a smashing job for us standing in for Alison.

It’s one of the few times we’ve been in a show with other performers and the “buzz” backstage was positive towards us as well.

We were followed by Paul Sneddon, a cracking and very experienced stand up who went on as his character Bob Doolahly, an ex-footballer and manager. It’s quite like Arnold Brown meets Stanley Baxter meets Alex Ferguson if you haven’t seen him. Paul, as always, was solidly funny throughout his act and is a lovely guy in person as well.

He was followed by Sandy Nelson, a guy I hadn’t seen before, despite this lengthy experience on the circuit. His bit was probably my favourite of the night; an AV presentation with a hilarious closer about the TV ad campaign done for the Daily Express. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone do political comedy that was actually funny for ages.

After some films, Dirty Pigeon were on, another sketch act. Thinking there were films on at this point, I’d gone downstairs to ask some folk to do the No2ID gig we’re helping with, so managed to miss most of their bit. They went down extremely well right enough, because I could hear the cheering from a floor down. They were also a very nice bunch to chat to as well, although I think I annoyed one of their number Toni by pestering her about her various appearances on Cbeebies, my daughters favourite TV channel. Got some great goss on her co-stars there though.

Limmy followed on and did a very brave and very funny one man sketch about two pals talking about films. It was a slow burning bit that built expertly to a very funny climax. You’d never have known that this was only his second live gig. Having made his name doing podcasts, short films and animations, it looks like Limmy can add the string of solid live performer to his bow. These talented folk just make you sick eh?

Des McLean headlined the show, preceded by a hilarious short film taking the rip out of Billy Connelly, a ripe target if ever there was one. Des has a great talent for doing everyman type material and still managing to be irreverent and edgy. He’s already doing stuff for Radio and will go on to do much more I’m sure. Again, a very talented and genuinely nice guy.

There was a bit of glad handing and chat afterwards and we all left feeling pretty good about how the night had gone.

For me anyway, it was great to have met and performed alongside so many really good folk. It felt good to have held our own in that kind of company.

Now of course I’m in work, trying to deal with the “good gig/back to the grind the next day as if nothing happened” feeling of total anti-climax you always get when you do well on a week night.

Ach well, it a cher o'bowlies eh?

Tom says: It was a complete turnaround from the other week there. The audience went for it from the get-go which made all the difference. Frankly I was embarrassed sitting in the dressing room afterwards when I had a crowd of comedians round me telling me what their favourite line in their favourite sketch was.

As Fraser outlined, pretty much every act was very funny and everyone was very friendly and complimentary backstage.

I took a load of photographs and you can see them here.

Katie has put up a brief review of it. As is becoming the norm with our American friend's reviews, they're usually about something else.