Well, the last month was a big improvement on laughs for me from the previous month, but that's not surprising as I wasn't present for the previous one, and almost didn't make this one.
However, to keep you going until I can remember the names of the artists here's a great website to amuse you:
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/
WELCOME
This blog will give you information about the comedy night held on the first Tuesday of every month. The venue is The Fox & Grapes pub in Fox Street, Preston and is easily accessible by public transport or car. Best of all, admission is absolutely FREE.
The event is compered by MC Alan Donegan (pictured)
We will post pictures of previous evenings as well as details of forthcoming acts. Copyright permitting we may even post short video clips of the performers in full flow.
It would be really helpful if you attend a performance for you to let us know what you thought about the comedians, the organisation, the atmosphere, the venue - even the beer!
The Fox
The event is compered by MC Alan Donegan (pictured)
We will post pictures of previous evenings as well as details of forthcoming acts. Copyright permitting we may even post short video clips of the performers in full flow.
It would be really helpful if you attend a performance for you to let us know what you thought about the comedians, the organisation, the atmosphere, the venue - even the beer!
The Fox
Wednesday 19 August 2009
Friday 19 June 2009
The Birthday Party
Last year's bash was a fantastic night, rounded off by a superb performance fron Ivan Brackenbury. For many there it was their first experience of the Brackenbury Roadshow so could Ivan pull it off again without the element of surprise? The answer was a resounding 'YES'!
A warm evening was made even hotter by a bumper crowd, and it was like the Black Hole of Calcutta at times but the atmosphere was as hot as the temperature, despite Malcolm's appearance without his wig this time.
Alan set the scene nicely and built on his winning performance at his Wigan night I attended, where Justin Moorhouse was headlining. Alan works on confidence and he had it at the birthday night, even given the continued absence of his foil, Street.
The evening began well with Alfie Moore, a policeman who does comedy. Yes you read correctly - obviously some of them do have a sense of humour. Alfie had some good stuff based on his experiences and managed to convince the audience that not all coppers are ... er ... the same. Some of his stuff was a bit samey but it was a very good start to the evening. Alfie was followed by Ben Lawes, looking like Louis Theroux's slightly beefed-up brother. Ben's material was pretty observational stuff and he had some good stuff about gyms and the ugliness of Man Utd players. Ben went down very well and raised the bar for the headline act.
I was a little concerned that having seen the show last year that I may be a bit blase about seeing the same again but I was wrong. Basically the same concept but with newer material, it worked again. The delivery is so important and it was spot on. The audience lapped it up and I thought a couple of people might have a seizure they were laughing so much (hello Rob).
Another great evening that lived up to the hype and at tleast matched the Ian Cognito night that preceded it. Ivan would like to return for our next birthday bash and I don't think, on this showing, that many would complain.
A warm evening was made even hotter by a bumper crowd, and it was like the Black Hole of Calcutta at times but the atmosphere was as hot as the temperature, despite Malcolm's appearance without his wig this time.
Alan set the scene nicely and built on his winning performance at his Wigan night I attended, where Justin Moorhouse was headlining. Alan works on confidence and he had it at the birthday night, even given the continued absence of his foil, Street.
The evening began well with Alfie Moore, a policeman who does comedy. Yes you read correctly - obviously some of them do have a sense of humour. Alfie had some good stuff based on his experiences and managed to convince the audience that not all coppers are ... er ... the same. Some of his stuff was a bit samey but it was a very good start to the evening. Alfie was followed by Ben Lawes, looking like Louis Theroux's slightly beefed-up brother. Ben's material was pretty observational stuff and he had some good stuff about gyms and the ugliness of Man Utd players. Ben went down very well and raised the bar for the headline act.
I was a little concerned that having seen the show last year that I may be a bit blase about seeing the same again but I was wrong. Basically the same concept but with newer material, it worked again. The delivery is so important and it was spot on. The audience lapped it up and I thought a couple of people might have a seizure they were laughing so much (hello Rob).
Another great evening that lived up to the hype and at tleast matched the Ian Cognito night that preceded it. Ivan would like to return for our next birthday bash and I don't think, on this showing, that many would complain.
Thursday 21 May 2009
3rd Birthday Party
Remember the third Birthday Bash on 2 June. The much anticipated return of the Ivan Brackenbury Hosbital Radio Show with the celebrated 'Disease Hour'. Support is from Ben Lawes and Alfie Moore.
Get there early - it's sure to be busy!
Get there early - it's sure to be busy!
May Comedy Night
May's night was long anticipated by the Fox Crew. MC Alan had been sweating on getting one particular comedian for a good while now and had actually booked him a couple of times only to have circumstances conspire against him. Well finally we were going to see the legend that Alan had built up for us - Ian Cognito. The danger with building someone up like this is that invariably you get a slight sense of disappointment when they actually appear and you wonder what the fuss was about. Did this happen at the May Comedy Night? Well, first things first.
We were treated first to the perfect warm-up act in the shape of Ray Kane who looks like Alexander Litvinyenko or Jade Goody at the end (as he gleefully informed us). Ray's quips were top notch and he had a great little song where he accompanied himself on guitar. He also had a novel piece involving losing his head and replacing it with a balloon. Really. Ray went down very well and if you get the chance to see him do so. His website contains details of upcoming gigs.
The moment of truth arrived - Alan's second set of the night. No, of course I mean Ian Cognito. He had been described as unpredictable and volatile amongst other things. Well, we got a bit of everything from Ian, all of which had one thing in common - belly-laugh funny. My sides were literally aching like they haven't done for a long time. He's been described as iconoclastic and that is an accurate epithet. He's never going to be a TV star with his approach and material (he asked us to look out for homeless people in winter - it's easy to trip over them in the snow) but as a stand-up he is peerless. Never politically correct but not sexist or racist either he is a true maverick. The time flew by without a pause it seemed and the audience lapped it all up. I would absolutely love to see him at The Fox again soon. For once I would agree with the Evening Standard, which said "After half an hour in his company all other comedians begin to seem like people in public relations."
Check Ian's website.
Alan - it's not said very often so it needs capitals:
"YOU WERE RIGHT!"
The Fox
(Photos will follow once Stu pulls his finger out!)
We were treated first to the perfect warm-up act in the shape of Ray Kane who looks like Alexander Litvinyenko or Jade Goody at the end (as he gleefully informed us). Ray's quips were top notch and he had a great little song where he accompanied himself on guitar. He also had a novel piece involving losing his head and replacing it with a balloon. Really. Ray went down very well and if you get the chance to see him do so. His website contains details of upcoming gigs.
The moment of truth arrived - Alan's second set of the night. No, of course I mean Ian Cognito. He had been described as unpredictable and volatile amongst other things. Well, we got a bit of everything from Ian, all of which had one thing in common - belly-laugh funny. My sides were literally aching like they haven't done for a long time. He's been described as iconoclastic and that is an accurate epithet. He's never going to be a TV star with his approach and material (he asked us to look out for homeless people in winter - it's easy to trip over them in the snow) but as a stand-up he is peerless. Never politically correct but not sexist or racist either he is a true maverick. The time flew by without a pause it seemed and the audience lapped it all up. I would absolutely love to see him at The Fox again soon. For once I would agree with the Evening Standard, which said "After half an hour in his company all other comedians begin to seem like people in public relations."
Check Ian's website.
Alan - it's not said very often so it needs capitals:
"YOU WERE RIGHT!"
The Fox
(Photos will follow once Stu pulls his finger out!)
Missing Person
MISSING PERSON
Missing from the last few Fox Comedy Nights has been the legend known, like Madonna, Britney and ... er ... Suggs, by just one name. Yes, I mean the one and only Street.
If you know the whereabouts of this lovely lady please persuade her to come down to the 3rd Birthday bash on 2 June with Ivan Brackenbury. Alan is really missing taking the piss, er, I mean missing her company and would love to see her back. Here's a picture to help you:
(Clue: Street is the one on the left)
Missing from the last few Fox Comedy Nights has been the legend known, like Madonna, Britney and ... er ... Suggs, by just one name. Yes, I mean the one and only Street.
If you know the whereabouts of this lovely lady please persuade her to come down to the 3rd Birthday bash on 2 June with Ivan Brackenbury. Alan is really missing taking the piss, er, I mean missing her company and would love to see her back. Here's a picture to help you:
(Clue: Street is the one on the left)
Monday 20 April 2009
Comedy Night 7 April
Well it seemed to be Scouse Night at The Fox and Grapes this month, with two of the three acts hailing from the recent City of Culture. Tony Simpson and Graham Goring warmed the crowd up nicely with some well observed humour that went down well but left enough of a gap for the headliner Nige (Keith Carter) to come along and bring the house down. Acting the part of a Scally might not seem too original or particularly amusing but the way Nige interacted with the crowd and refused to be put off his stride by the intermittent interruptions of an inebriated interloper really struck a chord with the audience. He seemed to thrive on this adversity and the crowd went along with him. He never seemed lost for words, or a witty put-down and on this showing he would be welcome back any time.
If Stuart manges to pass on the few photos he took to The Fox I will put them up asap.
Next month we have a real treat with an act Alan has been trying to get here for two years, the brilliant and unpredictable Ian Cognito. Ian will be supported by Ray Kane. Don't miss it.
The Fox
If Stuart manges to pass on the few photos he took to The Fox I will put them up asap.
Next month we have a real treat with an act Alan has been trying to get here for two years, the brilliant and unpredictable Ian Cognito. Ian will be supported by Ray Kane. Don't miss it.
The Fox
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Tuesday 10 February 2009
Sully O'Sullivan
Apologies for the lack of photos this month. One of The Fox's young kits (look it up) must have been playing with the camera and I only managed to rectify this at the end of the evening.
Comedy Night 3 Feb 2008
Well, The Fox returned from his brief enforced lay-off (no charges were brought but it was touch and go for a while) ready for an evening of top class entertainment. Was I disappointed or was it worth the wait? Read on ...
On arrival it looked like it was going to be one of the less well-supported evenings of recent times but fortunately the crowd picked up and there was a decent number in by the start. Good to see a few new faces in as well.
First up as usual was our MC Alan Donegan. I'm not sure if it was the new faces near the front, or the absence of his usual foil, Street, but Alan struggled to get going tonight. His usual banter wasn't working but every cloud has a silver lining and as Al noted, some of the regulars were happy to revel in his temporary discomfort. Fortunately for Alan and for us he pulled it round in his second slot (even if he needs to learn when to finish i.e. whilst on a high!)
Our first act of the night was a late replacement for two comics from Leeds who were unable to make it due to the bad weather. Chris Brooker is from Somerset and gained a few laughs for his accent, and some admiration for never having slept with a family member. His act never really took off at our little venue but to his credit he toiled on, picking up a few laughs along the way. His closing piece was based on replacing the word 'dance' in song titles with the word 'wank'. Whilst this conceit was amusing initially the idea was dragged out too far and would have benefitted from some judicious pruning.
Well, we needed picking up a bit after that. As I mentioned, Alan approached his usual standard (ahem) in his second stint which left Sully O'Sullivan to headline the evening. Hailing from New Zealand Sully looks a bit like an extreme sports enthusiast crossed with a militant student and he had the crowd eating out of his hand very quickly. Self-deprecating remarks about Kiwis, sheep and Aussies and a surprisingly thoughtful musing on racism were brilliantly executed and we left the evening satisfied that we had seen a talented comedian give his all. I would definitely like to see him again.
Here's to next month - Tuesday March 3 is the date for your diary.
On arrival it looked like it was going to be one of the less well-supported evenings of recent times but fortunately the crowd picked up and there was a decent number in by the start. Good to see a few new faces in as well.
First up as usual was our MC Alan Donegan. I'm not sure if it was the new faces near the front, or the absence of his usual foil, Street, but Alan struggled to get going tonight. His usual banter wasn't working but every cloud has a silver lining and as Al noted, some of the regulars were happy to revel in his temporary discomfort. Fortunately for Alan and for us he pulled it round in his second slot (even if he needs to learn when to finish i.e. whilst on a high!)
Our first act of the night was a late replacement for two comics from Leeds who were unable to make it due to the bad weather. Chris Brooker is from Somerset and gained a few laughs for his accent, and some admiration for never having slept with a family member. His act never really took off at our little venue but to his credit he toiled on, picking up a few laughs along the way. His closing piece was based on replacing the word 'dance' in song titles with the word 'wank'. Whilst this conceit was amusing initially the idea was dragged out too far and would have benefitted from some judicious pruning.
Well, we needed picking up a bit after that. As I mentioned, Alan approached his usual standard (ahem) in his second stint which left Sully O'Sullivan to headline the evening. Hailing from New Zealand Sully looks a bit like an extreme sports enthusiast crossed with a militant student and he had the crowd eating out of his hand very quickly. Self-deprecating remarks about Kiwis, sheep and Aussies and a surprisingly thoughtful musing on racism were brilliantly executed and we left the evening satisfied that we had seen a talented comedian give his all. I would definitely like to see him again.
Here's to next month - Tuesday March 3 is the date for your diary.
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