January 2008

You know what? I'm just going to write about the gigs of the month in a slightly different way. Backwards... nah! Whatever.

I did a charity gig at Up the Creek in Greenwich, organised by the goaty bearded (I think he has) Ben Norris. I haven't stepped inside the Creek for quite a few years - I don't know why really. The Creek always used to scare me somewhat. I don't know why really. It's not a big big room. It could get pretty hairy and scary. It had a reputation for being hairy and scary, but maybe since the demise of Malcolm Hardy it has become softer and cuddlier. The gig was good. The Thai food upstairs is still there, hot and yummy.

Bracknell Arts Centre - always a joy.

Did a couple of nights at Battersea Jongleurs. Nice to go there to see Graham on the sound. He's a funny man.

The month of January was really taken up by the Abnormally Funny People show at the Soho Theatre. We had three days more of rehearsal and then an eight night run. I was co-producing and helping to write the show. It turned out to be a really good, although the first four days was more like previews to get it into shape for the last four days. Unfortunately my dad came to one of these and wasn't too impressed... and so did the Evening Standard man. Luckily we had the Arts Council on the last four day bit, who were mightily impressed and may help to fund a little tour. C'mon, you can do it. The thing is, all the acts on the show were pretty new in the field, and we mixed stand-up with sketches with song. It was a good effort all round. www.abnormallyfunnypeople.com

In between the run I did the Funny Side in Covent Garden - nice gig and a nice chat with Dave Ward.