Sexist heckling a reality for female comedians

This article was first published on Hollaback http://www.ihollaback.org/blog/2011/05/09/sexist-heckling-a-reality-for-female-comedians/

And then republished on Chortle http://www.chortle.co.uk/features/2011/05/11/13268/in_any_other_job_youd_call_the_police…

Sexist Heckling a Reality for Female Comedians

Author Jen Lavery

For some female pedestrians, being publicly harassed by drunk or just-plain-sexist men is a relatively rare, if unwelcome occurrence; for female stand-up comedians, however, this is an eventuality that needs to be prepared for every time they walk on stage – and it’s not just the male audience members they have to worry about.

Comedians hate hecklers. Female comedians hate hecklers. Male comedians hate hecklers. People who work in comedy clubs hate hecklers. People who frequent comedy clubs hate hecklers. In fact, it’s quite likely that even hecklers hate other hecklers. For those of you out there thinking – but surely comedians love that sort of thing? Surely it helps their act along? No, it doesn’t. They have an act and it’s a solo one. Still not convinced? Okay, if heckling is so ‘helpful’ why do you never see comedians being heckled by other comedians? Why do you never see comedy club staff heckling? Because they know doing so would make the comedian on stage very justifiably pissed off.

Uncaged Monkeys review

This review first appeared on The Skinny website Thursday 7th April http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/101907-uncaged-monkeys-the-kings-theatre-3-april

Uncaged Monkeys @ The King’s Theatre, 3 April
Posted by Jen Lavery, Thu 07 Apr 2011

Opening the first section was star of the show, Professor Brian Cox. Although fans of his BBC programme might sometimes have wondered if trips to exotic locations were really necessary to show how the universe works, his theories and equations did prove slightly more difficult for the non-scientists amongst us to absorb when faced with just the man himself and large screen. That being said, there were still enough amazing facts in the more basic stuff to hold the rapt attention of the entire audience (even those whose scientific education only went as far as some long-forgotten Standard Grades).

Performances from Simon Singh and psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman gave us a lot of entertaining, intelligent food for thought. Singh’s section on The Bible Code vs. The Moby Dick Code, in particular, was especially enjoyable for those who put more faith in science than a 2000-year-old ghost-written book.

Planet Mearns

This article was first published on The Skinny website http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/101804-planet-mearns

Planet Mearns

Posted by Jen Lavery, Fri 01 Apr 2011

Raymond Mearns tells us all about life in a comedy collective

There was sadness among many west-coast comedy enthusiasts when improv troupe Dance Monkey Boy, Dance! called it a day on their bi-monthly Monday night show at The Stand. But fans of the Boys will be pleased to know that Raymond Mearns and John Ross, joined by Limmy’s Show alumni Tom Brogan and Debbie Welsh, will be returning under the guise of Planet Mearns at the Glasgow  International Comedy Festival!

So what’s life like on Planet Mearns? Let’s ask the man himself.

The team have been working on sketches for about a year and half. “We sit down together, have a laugh, talk about things that have happened, come up with situations and build sketches on that. If you liked the Monkey Boys, you will absolutely, definitely like this.” Whilst it isn’t improvised like DMBD, Mearns sees it as an extension of that improvised spirit; the sketches are “a result of us getting together and just messing about”.

Richard Herring comes to The Stand Edinburgh

This article first appeared on the STV Edinburgh West site http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh-west/news/13018-richard-herring-at-the-stand/

Richard Herring to perform classic routine at The Stand 
4-star show comes to Edinburgh

By Jen Lavery
 
14 March 2011 10:14 GMT

Considering he’s done shows in Edinburgh nearly every year for the past twenty-four, you might think comedian Richard Herring would have perhaps gotten a little fed up with the place.

Quite the contrary, he assures us: “I love the city! And I love coming up out of Fringe time because it’s so different. It’s almost slightly eerie – you’re used to it in a certain context and suddenly it’s like you’re in an alternate universe or something. That being said, it’s always a pleasure not to have thousands of idiots pounding the streets trying to get you to come and see their show. It’s a city I really love and I always have a great time.”

“I especially love coming down to The Stand; it’s pretty tight but just a perfect space for comedy. I’ve got loads of great memories of being there.”

Interview with Milton Jones

This article first appeared on The Skinny website http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/101499-milton-jones-glasgow-does-have-a-bit-of-a-reputation-of-killing-people-from-the-south

Milton Jones: “Glasgow does have a bit of a reputation of killing people from the South”

Posted by Jen Lavery, Fri 11 Mar 2011

Milton Jones conquers his fear of Weegies to tread the boards at the MGICF

Fresh from his Best Headliner win at the Chortle awards, Milton Jones will be appearing at the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival for the first time this year. So what can we expect from The Lion Whisperer?

“You won’t learn anything by coming, but people seem to laugh for an hour and a half. Lots of one-liners, music, stupid stories and characters. If you’ve seen me before, it’s a lot more of the same, but different from last time. The last tour there wasn’t music but I think with one-liners you need to break it up a bit.”

Interview with Mark Thomas

This article first appeared in the March 2011 issue of The Skinny http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/101498-rambling-man

Rambling Man

Posted by Jen Lavery, Fri 11 Mar 2011

Mark Thomas tells us about his experiences in the West Bank

Comedian and activist Mark Thomas has been famed over the years for his politically-motivated stunts, including posing as an arms dealer, creating a ‘People’s Manifesto’ based on audience suggestions and being awarded the Guinness World Record for Most Protests Held in One Day. But even he has had to draw the line on occasion. “I wanted to get a pedalo and ride it into Guantanamo Bay,” he says, laughing. “That one I was advised against; by the Cuban Ambassador, actually.”

Interview with comedian Caroline Rhea

This article orginally appeared on The Skinny website http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/101703-caroline-rhea-doing-stand-up-comedy-is-like-doing-therapy

Caroline Rhea: “Doing stand-up comedy is like doing therapy”

Posted by Jen Lavery, Tue 08 Mar 2011

Comedian Caroline Rhea caught up with The Skinny ahead of her Glasgow Comedy Festival appearance to remind us that there’s more to her act than being Sabrina’s aunt.

While some comedians see live stand-up as ‘paying their dues’ before hooking a TV contract, Caroline Rhea is in no rush to leave the circuit behind. And that’s not just the drugs talking.

“Sorry, I have a terrible cough and I’m so fully medicated right now I feel like I’m outside my body watching someone else give an interview. So – is it scary going back to live performance after being in a TV studio? No, it’s quite the opposite actually. It’s much less scary to me to be on stage than to be in front of a camera. Doing stand-up comedy is like doing therapy. It’s a great way to deal with everything. It’s like having your own talk show where there are no cameras, so you don’t really have to worry. You can say whatever you want on stage.”

Craig Campbell comes to The Stand Edinburgh

This article originally appeared on the STV Edinburgh website http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh-west/news/12438-craig-campbell-comes-to-the-stand-edinburgh/  

Craig Campbell comes to The Stand Edinburgh
Funnyman kicks off Scottish leg of tour this week

By Jen Lavery
 
07 March 2011 06:25 GMT
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Canadian comedian Craig Campbell has just kicked off the first Scottish leg of his solo tour, which will be coming to The Stand Edinburgh this Tuesday 8th March.

While the reputation of ‘difficult’ audiences north of the border still strikes fear into the heart of many an act, Campbell is relishing the prospect of returning to his roots.

“I’m all packed and ready to roll! I’m a Canadian of Scottish descent and have a lot of Scottish family. With the number of years I’ve been visiting Scotland and doing shows in Scotland, I’ve actually found that Scottish audiences tend to be more warm and welcoming than most.”

The Cameo Cinema

This article first appeared on the STV Edinburgh West website http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh-west/news/6786-the-cameo-cinema-catering-to-all-since-1914/  

The Cameo Cinema – catering to all since 1914
Proudly independent since 1914, catch a flick at one of the hotspots of Edinburgh’s pulsing arts scene

By Jen Lavery
 
15 February 2011 12:20 GMT
The Cameo Cinema is one of the oldest cinemas in Scotland and a must visit for any genuine film fan. Situated in Tollcross, the cinema boasts many of its original fixtures and fittings including ornamental plasterwork and velvet curtains that slide across the screen as the main feature begins.

Tom Stade Live

This article first appeared on The STV Edinburgh West website http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh-west/news/6787-tom-stade-in-edinburgh-tonight/

Tom Stade at The Stand Comedy Club
Canadian comedian performing at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh this evening

By Jen Lavery
 
15 February 2011 12:22 GMT

Canadian comedian Tom Stade Pic: Trudy Stade

As anyone who has worked in comedy will tell you, the level of bitchiness between acts can often rival the girl’s toilet at a school disco. But one name that I have never seen raise anything other than smiles, is Tom Stade.

The term ‘comedian’s comedian’ is often used to refer to an act fiercely beloved by their peers, but whom audiences perhaps don’t always ‘get’. However, over the years Tom has amassed plenty of fans both in audiences and backstage.