2 September 2007

Scottish Comedian of the Year 2007 Heat 4

Fringe Flu has finally started to kick in. All those comedians that have spent the past month living an unhealthy lifestyle in damp Edinburgh basements are dropping like flies. A total of 5 comedians pulled out of this heat due to “a bug”, but don’t worry the audience were treated to a superb night of comedy. 3 of the 5 have been shuffled into later heats.

 Let’s start by reviewing the audience. They were perhaps the loveliest collection of comedy punters Glasgow has to offer. After a little bit of coaxing Intro guy James, a film production graduate from the University of Glasgow was surprisingly forward with details about how the girl who took his virginity a decade ago has started to stalk him on Facebook. Ex boxer Danny told of his days when he used to spar with Jim Watt and then proved why we are paying too much for our postal deliveries, whilst young Steve and Jemma from Uddingston reminded us what youthful adoration is like.

 For the comedians first up was Barry McDonald. Barry is a hack – don’t worry I mean of the journalistic variety. Barry started comedy in March at the behest of his evening newspaper editor who wanted a Glasgow Comedy Festival story about getting started in comedy. He is far from being a hack comedian – although his second story was “familiar” we are putting this down to sheer chance. Barry commands the stage with a warm gentle personality. The crowd take to him instantly. His tales and outlook on life both everyday, yet quirky, full of punchlines and expertly told. Although he never got through tonight, if I were a betting man I’d have a tenner on him to get to the final next year. With a years worth of stage time he will take some beating.

Next up was a former journalist who also started comedy by writing an article about it. Scott Agnew has been plodding away for almost 8 years. It is in the past year though that he has started taking it seriously. Like Barry, Scott’s tales are also about every day life – however Scott’s everyday life is unlike anybody elses. If ever a drunken, drug fuelled, gay, Glaswegian version of Bridget Jones diary were to be written, all you would have to do is follow Scott for a week – no a day. He encounters every cross section of society and can spin a great yarn out of the smallest happenchance, cleverly building layer upon ludicrous layer into his tales in the manner of the finest Glaswegian patter merchants. His tale of meeting tramps on the Clydeside earned him victory this evening.

 Keir McAllister is the epitome of what a lot of young comedians strive to be – a solid bankable act. He has well worked material which is full of topicality, punchlines and hardly uses excess words to get the joke across.  His choice of subject material is very audience friendly, his political barbs are cutting, his punchlines are… punchy. Unlike most Scottish comedians he doesn’t swear excessively, however unlike many Scottish comedians whose swearing seems purely conversational, when Keir swears it is noticeable – I shit you not – and that loses him audience brownie points which meant he could only manage 2^nd place  in what many thought would be a clash of the titans.  

Our forth and sadly final act this heat was Dave Hefron. Last week Dave got a 5 star review for his Edinburgh Fringe show. Last year he was lucky if he had a 5 minute act. So it just proves how far you can come if you you’re a stubborn wee shite who won’t give up. Thankfully Dave has worked hard this past year. He deliberately still has that slightly nervous demeanour which asks the audience “should I really be up on this stage – what’s so interesting about me?” but the audience like his timid approach, which tonight was in contrast to the confident manner of all the other acts. His choice of material is less dark than it used to be and a lot better for it again watch this space for next year.

 So over half way through the heats we have what is shaping up for an excellent line up for the final, lets hope Aberdeen , Helensburgh and Kilmarnock can provide as many gems.

Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival glasgowcomedyfestival glasgow comedy fest hire a comedian scottish comedian of the year Scottish Comedy www.comedyspeeddating.co.uk