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drinks Monday 4 August 08
Amused Moose Starsearch 2004
Verdict: Comedy competition
The night is around 80 minutes of stand-up and character comedy. 6 comedians each deliver 6 minutes, there's interleaved humour by expert MC Mickey D, and an interval followed by a headliner.
The 6 are in competition, in the promoting company's quest to identify stars of the future, and 2 go forward from this and other approximately weekly heats - which started at Christmas - to a final on 17 August 04 at Edinburgh 04. Tonight is a semi-final.
It's well-organised by Rachel Abel and Gail Scott-Spicer and comedy doyenne Hils Jago at Amused Moose. Each of the acts puts in a good performance.
MC - Mickey D. See review of Star Search 2 February 04.
Roisin Conaty. See full review in Bling, Blush and Bonk.
Scott Denyer recalls wanking behind the bike shed, the differences between American and British Trivial Pursuits, and the progressive loss of verbal romance in relationships. Warm and witty.
Morgan Jones tonight models red t-shirt and tells a witty retail-based set about conflicts with men in shops, particularly in fitting-rooms. It' sharply-written and easily-delivered.
Andy Lawrence has wild straw-like hair, make-up, and wild eyes - he's straight out of Strewelpeter, Sleepy Hollow, and Kasper Hauser. In an extra-ordinary, strangulated voice (with gifted guitar accompaniment) he delivers the very odd tale of his childhood. Unique. Magnificent.
Peter Stead recalls a small Devon village upbringing generating anger within him; and a hatred of the Royal Family, expressed in detail for much of the set. Observational comedy with a middle-class edge.
Mark Talbot distributes chocolate for an alarming t-shirt competition; runs away (briefly) with food served during act; reacts adroitly to every event during the act. Very powerful, a feeling of danger, strong, unusual, disturbingly exciting.
Jeff Innocent headlines. He's a big muscular man in denim jacket and grey t-shirt, an earring in his left ear, razor-cut grey hair, perhaps in his 50s. Cockney's the word he uses rather than Eastender.
It's a warm and gradually unfolding set based on his observations, with flashes of stream-of-conciousness when, eg, pondering if whippets run wild in the North.
Topics tonight include drugs, whether to take them before committing criminal acts; other uses for drug-sniffer dogs; wanking his whippet; the perils of male couture in different parts of the country; the shape of dogs' testicles; Irish Travellers; names of perfumes; and airport security - and much more. It's leisurely, gentle, wry and affectionate.
Tonight's audience includes: Vincent & Charlotte; Johnnie, electonics manufacturer from Guildford; Alex; and Nicola.
Credits Performers (alpha order): Roisin Conaty, Scott Denyer, Morgan Jones, Andy Lawrence, Peter Stead, Mark Talbot. MC - Mickey Dwyer as Mickey D. Headliner - Jeff Innocent. Event organiser - Rachel Abel, Gail Scott-Spicer. Producer - Hils Jago. Company - Amused Moose.
END
John Park
reviewed Friday 9 July 04 / Moonlighting
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
