I'm an owlbear
Here’s the video of me failing to win the Ding Dong Gong Show and sparking strong division within the audience with my controversial owl bit (the video below should start right when they introduce me - if it doesn’t skip ahead to 26:40).
It was a mistake to do the owl bit at a gong show, but I think I started out pretty well and the way things played out was fun.
After that debacle, I don’t feel nervous about gong shows any more. I’m going to keep entering them until I beat one. I feel like if I can’t figure out how to engage an audience for 5 minutes straight at a gong show, I shouldn’t be trying to do stand-up at all.
Wednesday April 20th 7:30pm - Comedy In Your Eye, Camden Town
Come and see me do a 10 minute set to close the first half! It’s a fun format where if you mention one of the forbidden subjects you incur the wrath of the Eye.
Camden Eye, 2 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 9NX
Sunday April 24th 7:30pm (doors 6:30) - Sunday Shtick, Kentish Town
This is a bringer night, so please let me know if you’re interested. Strong lineups (last time I went the headliner was hilarious) and a funny MC.
https://www.designmynight.com/london/pubs/kentish-town/the-rose-and-crown/sunday-shtick-comedy
Rose & Crown, 71-73 Torriano Ave, London NW5 2SG
Monday April 25th 7:30pm - Pegasus Comedy, Kentish Town
Same venue as Sunday Shtick, but with the chairs arranged differently. Why not come to both nights and compare?
Rose & Crown, 71-73 Torriano Ave, London NW5 2SG
Friday April 29th 10:45pm - Roast Battle London, Angel
I’m in a Roast Battle tournament! My first opponent will be Brummy hunk Joe Bingham.
The Bill Murray, 39 Queen's Head St, London N1 8NQ
Monday May 9th 7:30pm - Double Bubble, Dalston
This is a fun format where you, the audience, get to vote for your favourite act. There is also an experienced headliner. Great room and the pub serves nice junk food.
The Victoria, 451 Queensbridge Road, London E8 3AS
Tuesday May 10th 7pm - Gap Tooth, Pimlico
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gap-tooth-comedy-tuesdays-tickets-230002984117
Constitution pub, 42 Churton St, London SW1V 2LP
Wednesday May 11th 8pm - Electrowerkz
This is a 10 minute spot so worth coming if you want to see my best stuff plus some new material smuggled in the middle. Details TBD.
Electrowerkz, Camden(?)
Friday May 13th 11pm - Roast Battle UK
I’m through to the next round of the Roast tournament so come and watch me see mean things to a nice young lesbian.
The Bill Murray, 39 Queen's Head St, London N1 8NQ
Friday May 20th 7pm - T-Bird
This is officially called Comedy Bin or something but it’s at the T-Bird bar, Finsbury Park.
T-Bird, 132 Blackstock Road Finsbury Park London N4 2DX
CANCELLED: Monday May 23rd 7:30pm - G&B Cabaret Night, Kings Cross
I am not doing this now (but the night is still going ahead).
Monday May 30th 7:30pm - Nice N Spiky, Islington
Comfy downstairs space at a nice pub that serves good food. Free.
The Regent, 201 Liverpool Rd Islington, London N1 1LX
As ever, check the gig times above against the official listing as I may well have fucked something up. If you received this by email, before you come to a gig it’s worth checking the online version of the newsletter for any updates.
Recommendations
There is a third series of Miracle Workers where they’re pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Haven’t watched it yet but I like the first two series. (NOW TV and Sky).
The Transfer Problem by Adam Saint is a technothriller novel with a strong streak of dark comedy. Reminiscent of Neal Stephenson with a dash of Douglas Adams. (Amazon UK link if you don’t want to buy a hardback direct from the publisher).
Chocolate Cake For Imaginary Lives by Genevieve Jenner is a short story collection. Each story doubles as a recipe. It’s as if the needless personal stories they put in front of recipes nowadays had taken over the whole recipe book, except that these stories are well-written and funny.