"more clever than funny".

I have been hiding my Fringe posts behind Read More’s but this was simply everything a good day at the Fringe should be, so no Read More here.

First up I went along to Jon Richardson’s book event for It’s Not Me, It’s You! This was brilliant in so many ways. I really enjoyed the audio version of the book so obviously this added to that, it was lovely that Jon updated many of the passages to what was currently happening too. Thoroughout the reading Jon had a red slimy drink, which provided much entertainment every time he attempoted to drink it, although his insistence that no one should ever buy this drink didn’t really have an impact because the first thing I wanted to do was try the bloody thing! (I didn’t).

As many people keep asking yes Jon,mentioned Russell Howard. He only mentioned him very briefly. He was reading a section about when he last shared a house and essentially he said “I used to live with some comedians; Mark Olver who has a show about serial killers this year and Russell Howard who I believe has retired”. Then he continued his book reading. Little extras like this made the book reading worthwhile, plus he did some material in between the extracts.

Photo time!

 

How neat is that writing! My mother has commented since that, apparently that’s the neatest she’s ever seen a man write. (I have no idea why she felt the need to tell me this).

 

My face. Jon Richardson’s face. Standard.

Then based on a few people on Tumblr’s recommendations I went to see Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane. It is amazing. One of the most enjoyable hours ever. I basically can’t over exaggerate how much I loved this show. It’s a testament to how good Sammy J and Heath McIvor are that they are able to ad-lib and go off script so much and it still be funny. One warning if you do go and see this show you will never be able to pronounce Papa New Guinea the same way again afterwards. Plus I got to be the jury member in the show, I deinitely hadn’t planned for that happening!

So yeah if you were one of the three or four people on Tumblr who convince me to see Ricketts Lane. Thank you very much, I had a bloody brilliant time.

Between Ricketts Lane and seeing Gareth Richards I did quite a lot of bumping into people from the television. First I bumped into Dara O’Brien then Miranda Hart. When I say I ‘bumped’ into Miranda Hart, it was more I queued for the toilet behind her, which definitely isn’t an appropriate place to accost someone, so I didn’t.

Anyways after all that excitment it was time to see Gareth Richards - It’s Not The End Of The World. If I tell you this gig starts with Gareth Richards suggesting everyone shares their name (not shouting them all at once, a la Mark Watson)you will get an impression of the size of the audience. (Clue: less than ten). I think the size of the audience had an impact of the slightly odd feel there was to the show, it was just a bit weird really. The songs were very good, I would have probably liked a few more to be honest. Also for your information, apparently I was the person in the room most likely to be a suicide bomber. Yeah, that really happened.

My last show of the day was Chris Ramsey’s Offermation. This show was brilliant, the nomination was fully deserved. It was a proper hour of comedy where you were fully engaged with everything Chris said, and the well the reveal at the end was brilliant. It was really quite reminscent of Dave Gorman and I can only suggest you go and see it on tour, you won’t regret it.