New E4 Series: Cardinal Burns

by A. Child on May 7, 2012 in News, TV with No comments
Cardinal Burns E4

Cardinal Burns may be a name you recognise from their time on the live circuit performing as singing Turkish mini cab drivers, among a host of other slightly bizarre and odd characters. ‘My tax disc has expired!!!’ etc etc..

Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri Burns are two individuals that I hope we will all see a lot more of this year. Their brand spanking new sketch series on E4 will go some way to doing that and from the very few sneaky looks at the new series it seems that they haven’t compromised on the mixture and utter madness of their Fat Tongue and Comedy Shuffle skits which is great news.

Some of the duo’s characters and relationship redefining is quite dark but delivered with enough confidence and pin point timing to see us all through with a side split. But it is this very point that will get them hoards of new followers and office workers happily quoting along. The darkness only appears as their sketches mirror aspects of our lives with haunting accuracy. Look forward to an amazing Nuns On The Run rip off scene featuring the pair in the showers with lots of steamy yet angry women. Banksy talks us through his hidden life in Hadley Wood where he balances his ‘street pictures’ with wife Jill & two kids.  Here’s to more dark moments with awkward Black Mirror silences and mini cab drivers, salsa dancers and the perfect office flirt! Set record for E4 22.30 on May 8th.

Spring Gig Guide #Scotland

by L.Strachan on May 7, 2012 in Gigs with No comments
Spring Gig Guide Scotland

Scotland is bursting with events this year, sure to tickle the funny bones of even the not so easily entertained. From the famous names to the not so well known, all are blessed with unique and sometimes downright surreal views of the world with gags that leave us begging for more.

Stewart Lee 

May 12th / Music Hall, Aberdeen

May 13th / Eden Court Theatre, Inverness

Show incorporates much fun and hilarity from Stewart’s acclaimed BBC2 Show ‘Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle’. Aghast at the state of current affairs and the retail market he shares his unique insights off set by his love of Scooby-Doo cartoons!

Barry & Stewart  

May 9th / Music Hall, Aberdeen

Join the stars of BBC1′S ‘The Magicians’ and winners of The World of Magic Awards: Best Comedy Illusionists Barry and Stewart for laughter and magic before your very eyes with devilishly daring illusions and magnificent tricks that are sure to enthral you Also, later in the show they reveal how they do these brilliant tricks! Prepare to be Mesmerised

Dara O’ Briain

May 24th – 26th  / Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh

Letting Rip in his own inimitable style the self confessed ‘Brit Licker’ the infamous Dara O’ Briain is an extraordinary talent, and will be performing his ‘Craic Dealer’ 2012 tour in Scotland. Want to know what the Craic is? Fast Talking Brilliance, that’s what. So get on down and see that Dara’s Craic  is of  the finest quality and is most definitely addictive! 

Jimmy Carr

June 29th / Caird Hall, Dundee

June 30th / Music Hall, Aberdeen

Brand new show brilliantly full of Jimmy’s One liners, stories and jokes a plenty coming to you live and most definitely on the pulse. Not for the easily offended but frightfully clever! Presenter of ’8 Out Of 10 Cats’ and ’10 ‘o’ Clock Live’, Jimmy Carr speaks for himself, catch him if you can.

Alan Partridge Movie Release In 2013

by L.Jones on May 7, 2012 in Film, News with No comments
Alan Partridge Film

Forget the Olympics. 2013 is the big one. After years of anticipation, the Alan Partridge movie will be hitting the silver screen.

Executive Producer Armando Iannucci has announced that shooting will begin later in the year after a final tweaking of the screenplay. Alongside Iannucci and Coogan on the writing team are Peter Baynham and Neil and Rob Gibbons. Declan Downey of Father Ted fame will direct.

With the camera adding ten pounds, it is thought that Alan will be laying off the Toblerone in preparation for his big role.

Humphrey Ker Presents…History Is Now!

by s.skitt on May 1, 2012 in Online with No comments

Here is a great little video from the Best Newcomer Winner at the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2011. For more funny stuff from Humphrey Ker follow him on twitter @thehumphreyker.

Spring Gig Guide #Manchester

by J.Dean on April 26, 2012 in Gigs with No comments
Stewart Lee Live

Manchester has an incredible comedy circuit; even outside of its legendary comedy clubs there a multitude of pubs offering top-class comedy every night of every week. But there are also those extra-special gigs, those shows where someone a little bit more famous, else a fabulous local act doing something a little bit more special of their own.

In that vein, here are just some of the fantastic acts appearing around Greater Manchester in the coming few months before summer is upon us;

Sun 22nd March: Michael J Dolan @ Platt Chapel, Fallowfield

Manchester’s king of misanthropy performs an extended show, “Dress to Depress”, for the recording of a new CD. Barbs against society (and humanity in general) abound – and what else would you expect from a man who refers to his friends as “time thieves”? Full support provided by circuit heavyweights Jonathan Meyer and James Meehan for the ultra-low price of £3.

Tues 24th- Wed 25th March: Rhod Gilbert @ Lowry Theatre, Salford

Welsh wonder Rhod Gilbert comes to Greater Manchester, bringing his multi-award winning comedic talent along for the ride. “The Man with the Flaming Battenberg Tattoo” tour promises to showcase the renowned comic, known for his rants about everyday life, as you’ve never seen him before.

Sun 29th March: Stewart Lee @ Lowry Theatre, Salford

Stewart Lee brings his “Carpet Remnant World” tour to a theatre near you (if you live in the Greater Manchester area, that is). The stunningly well-observed disillusioned political rants, replete with call-backs and repetition that marks Lee as distinct from the comedy mainstream, have won him praise from across the spectrum, and a core following of like-minded people.

Wed 2nd – Sat 5th May: Dara O’Briain @ Lowry Theatre, Salford

One of Ireland’s premier funnymen , Dara O’Briain’s brand new show for 2012, “Craic Dealer”, has been gathering rave reviews like a rolling stone steadfastly refuses to do with moss. The Mock the Week host’s own particular brand of audience banter and lightning-fast wit promises to make this show unmissable.

Wed 2nd May: Andrew Maxwell @ Frog & Bucket, Manchester

Topical comedy with a cheeky, hyperactive style from Irish comic Andrew Maxwell comes to one of Manchester’s finest comedy clubs. His Edinburgh Festival ‘Best Show’ award-nominated show “The Lights are On”  garnered praise for being bang up-to-date, with top-quality current affairs jokes written just before the show, and the tour version is likely to be just as current!

Sat 12th May: Jerry Seinfeld @ MEN Arena, Manchester

Legendary American comic Jerry Seinfeld arrives in Manchester for one of only two UK shows planned this year. The comedic god, well known for his hit self-titled TV show of the 1990s, one of the most successful TV sitcoms of all time, is also one of the highest paid comedians around; the longstanding popularity of his observational style makes this no surprise to anybody. A top class gig from a true giant of comedy, what else could you want?

Sun 13th May: Paul Merton @ Lowry Theatre, Salford

The ‘Have I Got News For You’ stalwart returns to the stand-up circuit for the first time in the 21st century. His bizarre, surreal style perfectly suits the exploration of his own mind in the new show “Out of my Head”. The show promises sketches, music and magic, all sprinkled with the superstar’s unique style.

Wed 23rd May: Robin Ince @ Lowry Theatre, Salford

Co-presenter (with Prof. Brian Cox) of Radio 4’s ‘The Infinite Monkey Cage’, and long-time Ricky Gervais support act/plaything, Robin Ince embodies a highly intelligent brand of comedy. Liberally sprinkled with science, philosophy and culture, Ince’s show is an absolute must for people who want something a bit more than the run-of-the-mill comic.

C*nts On The Tube By Rob Glenister

by s.skitt on April 25, 2012 in Art with No comments
Cunts on the tube Rob Glenister

Martha & Julia Casear #010

by s.skitt on April 25, 2012 in Art with No comments
M+JC10

Nick Hodder’s Pre-Brighton Ramble

by s.skitt on April 24, 2012 in Gigs, Reviews with No comments
Nick Hodder Press Pic

Crispy Comedy Cuts thought it would be a good idea to get a slightly different perspective on this years Brighton Fringe. So we have enlisted stand up comedian Nick Hodder to give us a behind the scenes account of the event. Here is his warm up article to get you in the mood!

Having never been to the Brighton Fringe before, it’s been decided that I’m definitely the most qualified person to give you some insight.  I’ll be writing another article later on, to prove how right I was about everything, but for now here are some things that are definitely true:

First, a bit of background.  Brighton is actually Brighton & Hove, which is a place that sounds like two places, which it is.  The Ancient settlement (Originally named, something medieval like Brightoningstonehelm), dates back from well before the Doomsday book (1986, Penguin Publishing, author unknown).  The original currency was scampi, which you could trade for other fish, or possibly a donkey.

People from the North of England feel threatened and confused by Brighton’s gay culture.  People from Brighton feel threatened and confused by the North of England’s pie culture.  In recent years, tensions have eased, with introduction of pie shops to Brighton, and the introduction of homosexuality to Preston, Oldham and Rochdale.

The first comedy in Brighton took place on piers.  However, instead of the heckling we find in today’s comedy clubs, local residents took to burning the places down.  As Brighton slowly whittled down its volume of piers, and its patience for classic one-liners, a new form of comedy arrived.  A much more pretentious form of comedy more suited to the rich people from London that had purchased all the property.  That’s mostly the kind of thing that’s at the Brighton Fringe.  That and plays.  Who likes plays?

The Brighton Fringe takes place in Brighton & Hove, but is only called the Brighton Fringe because I think you have pay by the letter for website addresses.

As far as I don’t understand it, the Brighton Fringe is a kind of ‘Fame Making Machine’.  Essentially, anyone who would like to be famous can let the organisers know a couple of weeks in advance, pay a small one-off administration fee, and briefly appear on stage, before finally collecting their voucher.  The voucher can be redeemed at the BBC and exchanged for a seat on Mock the Week.

It’s been a strange week, because a lot of people have been asking me questions like “Where are your posters?” and “Have you actually written a show?”, like somehow these things are relevant and important, like somehow the voucher won’t be enough. I’ll let you know how it goes, but I think it’ll go well because they’ve got a Sealife centre, and a little train the goes by the sea, so I’m not sure how you could possibly fail to enjoy it.

Nick

www.nickhodder.com

Nick will be performing his ‘Insert Comedy Here!’ show at Upstairs at Three and Ten, Steine Street, Brighton at 10pm on May 10th – 17th. Tickets are available from www.upstairsatthreeandten.co.uk.


E4 Udderbelly Festival #London

by A. Child on April 19, 2012 in Gigs with No comments
udderbelly (1)

E4’s Udderbelly Festival (April 6 – 8 July) returns to London’s Southbank for it’s fourth year. Expanding from their Edinburgh Fringe home their iconic upside down purple cow shaped tent thing on London’s sunny Southbank is now a landmark of the early summer.

Described as ‘’a 12 week summer festival of the brightest comedy, circus, family and cabaret shows’’ Udderbelly’s non stop barrage of entertainment and art is a relentless testament to it’s overall programming and planning. Somehow it does live up to it’s claim of being ‘’the biggest comedy program anywhere in London’’. With a mixture of up and coming acts, well known TV faces and the best of Comedy Store talent, what is not to like?

What Udderbelly does really well, is pitch itself right between tourist stumble-upon and a firm comedy destination. Becoming a ticket only venue (400-seat temporary theatre) would have been a mistake. The South Bank has always been London’s easy Sunday / Saturday answer, what shall we do…? Southbank? Beer, Food stalls and now Comedy.

The main reason why Udderbelly is a top comedy choice is it’s placement. It’s corporate enough to get big names in but delivered with enough credibility that they serve up great quirky personal shows, just before Edinburgh too. You will also find hidden gems in the form of acts that will no doubt break through this year’s Edinburgh to appear on TV panel shows in early 2013. A destination, a happy stumble upon and a welcomed annual event, Udderbelly could definitely teach the 2012 Olympic organisers a thing or two.

For more info and tickets got to www.underbelly.co.uk/

Interview with Jarred Christmas

by s.skitt on April 12, 2012 in Interviews with No comments
Jarred Chirstmas Sonisphere

Editor Sam Skitt catches up with one of Crispy Comedy Cuts favourite comedians in the UK. Noodle warrior, family man and one of the best comperes on the circuit, Jarred Christmas joins us fresh from his rather less impressive Total Wipeout performance.

The last time we spoke was backstage at Sonisphere Festival last year, how did you find the weekend and your performance? 

Sonisphere was great. It can be a bit intimadating walking out to three thousand people all dressed in black giving you the long horns. But they really were a fantastic crowd. Just a group of people who are incredably passionate about a type of music and all of them seemed a hell of a lot more open minded than a crowd in Nottingham on a friday night.
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Have you got any festival performances coming up this summer?
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Loads. Guilfest, Happyness festival, Edinburgh, Cornbury. (Check out www.jarredchristmas.com for info)
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We hear you have a new addition to the Christmas family, congratulations! How has becoming a father affected your comedy, is there more pressure to be a “successful” comedian or do these sort of events help put things in to perspective?
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I guess there is a bit more pressure if I sit down and really think about it. Its made me more creative. I will say Im struggling with the time management now. 2 kids is pretty demanding. I certainly have had zero time to play playstation since they came along. But I would much prefer to play “Lions and Flowers” with my 2 yr old daughter (A game she made up) than World of Warcraft.
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Many people might not know this but you are in fact the star of a long running Pot Noodle advertising campaign. Has Steve Hughes, Stewart Lee or any of the other purists on the circuit ever given you any stick for this, possibly by shouting ‘Noodle Boy’ at you backstage or emptying saches of soy sauce all over your dressing room?
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Ha. No. I dont think they really care. I think comedians doing adverts only becomes an issue when the comic is being themselves in the advert and the advert is shit. Pot noodle was great fun, The soy sauce train is over for me now. 3 years was long enough. In those adverts I was not being me, doing my comedy. I was dancing and singing like a dick. I keep telling Steve Hughes I channelled him to get the Fosters voice overs. He fuckin loves it.
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You are often booked as an MC/compere, why do you think your comedy style lends itself to hosting comedy events?
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I guess cause Im so good looking and have a smile that melts hearts. Or maybe its because I like to fuck around with the crowd and build a nice atmos. I like to think its the first.
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The CCC event will be relaunching in London this year, have you got any advice for us to help create a great comedy show both for the audience and the acts?
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Yes, make sure the room is set up well. Proper sound and lights. Everyone can see the stage. Shut the bar during the show if its in the same room. Book good acts, book creatives acts, be brave with your choices and never allow the night to become just another night of white middle class comics talking about dogs and cats and how women are different from men. Don’t you dare let it be mediocre!
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Over the last few years you have successfully tried your hand at acting, would you like to be better known as an actor or is stand up still at the center of your career? 
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Stand up is my love. I enjoy acting and will go down that path if opportunities arise. But ultimately it all boils down to wanting to do stand up to more people, on my terms. If acting helps with that goal, the acting I will go.
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The CCC team are always on the hunt for new talented comedians on the UK circuit, could you give us one or two names to watch out for this year?
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Rob Carter, Javier Jarquin.

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