Thursday 5th June
Last night, despite the residual cough from my bout of festival flu, I went over to the Unity Theatre to see Rhod Gilbert and Alun Cochrane. While very different in style they both proved extremely entertaining in previewing their Edinburgh shows. Rhod Gilbert raging against the world of marketing gone mad, and Alun Cochrane gently persuading us that the world is wonky proved for a great night's comedy.
Luckily I also managed to make it back over to the Royal Court in time to see Richard Herring headline the BBC Comedy Presents show. I was disappointed to have missed Milton Jones, but as with all festivals, you can't see everything as choices have to be made!
Tonight's show of choice is Chris Cairns in Prohibition Bar and Grill and if anyone is reading this, I might see you down there! And while I've found it hard to think of anything non-festival related for the last few weeks, I also realised last night that I can't remember the last time I ate anything that wasn't a sandwich. I'm not sure where I'm going with that...
Bye from me.
Wednesday 4th June
Despite me contracting some form of Festival flu a couple of days ago things have generally been going along swimmingly! Monday saw yet another successful Drink Up Stand Up Hardman St, which even included spotting a local celebrity in the form of the lead singer from the Zutons! I was also really pleased that I got to see Jason Cook's show – My Confessions. As well as being extremely funny it was also a really heartfelt and moving show, which if you get the chance you should definitely try and see.
Unfortunately I didn't make it to any festival shows last night down to me being tucked up in bed and dosed up on Lemsip, however as long as I can suppress the coughing for long enough I'll be off down to the Unity Theatre to see Rhod Gilbert and Alun Cochrane tonight.
Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June
Well it was a hectic weekend for me with quite a few festival shows to attend! Friday and Saturday I was over at Rawhide Comedy and despite the sky-high temperatures in the basement club they were great nights. Sunday was another busy day with Bus Stop Stand Up in the afternoon – and a good job it was that we were inside given the torrential rain outside! Luckily the rain subsided in time for the Comedy pub crawl around Hoylake last night, 4 great acts and cheap beers all round made for a very happy audience!
Thursday 29 May
Well, it was another successful day yesterday with great turnouts for our Royal Court shows – Nina Conti and Gina Yashere and a completely unpredictable show from the exuberant Craig Hill. Though he had planned to preview some of his new material, it quickly became apparent that the show would instead make stars of the lucky audience members in and around the front row, notably Vanessa – a Canadian tourist and Beatle Maniac with a penchant for sparkly jeans and baseball caps! Craig proved that with his naturally sharp wit and talent for cheeky banter, he needn’t rely on scripted material to leave the audience in stitches! Though I’m working from home this morning I’ll be heading into the office this afternoon to prepare for tonight’s shows, and if you’re stuck for something to do why not try Mundo Jazz Downstairs at the Royal Court, for silly musical fun he really can’t be beaten!
Wednesday 28 May
In this, the first installment of my daily blog, I am happy to report that the opening day of the festival was a storming success.
After months of planning this year's Liverpool Comedy Festival kicked off in style last night with the Best of Liverpool, showcasing ten of the best acts Liverpool has to offer from the world of comedy and TV! With local legend Les Dennis hosting, it was definitely the Best of the Best of Liverpool nights we've had so far!
Sneaking out of the Best of Liverpool for an hour, I managed to catch Steve Hughes at Prohibition Bar and Grill. As political and...hairy...as ever, for an hour (and a bit) he proved himself as one of Australia's finest comedy exports (his most notable opponent being Tim Minchin, whom you may have seen at last year's festival!)
As time ticks on and tonight's shows await, I'll sign off.
Jess
