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The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Edinburgh Comedy Collective – 8 February –The Podcast - Episode 4 - One4Review

So I was right then. I predicted back at the pilot stage that this show had the potential to become a cult and judging by the building audience numbers each week, obviously this is coming to fruition.

Circumstances outwith my control dictated that I missed a couple of recordings, therefore missed the live performances of Ian Rankin and Richard Wiseman. But if you missed them like me, fear not, they are available to listen to on line.

So bright and early on Wednesday 8, together with many others I took my place in the Stand Comedy in preparation of recording number 4.

As usual M.C. Jo Caulfield took to the stage to warm-up the audience and explain to the very few who had not attended before what the premise of the evening was about. Once she had got them bubbling nicely the Game Show host Richard Melvin took to the stage and it was game on.

Comedy Collective captain of team A was Jo herself, joined on the night by Forth One Deejay, panto villain and the Face of Lothian Busses Grant Stott as her special guest, while Graeme Thomas captained Team B and was joined by comedian Teddy, a face that I had not seen for a while.

As per norm the games pitted the comedy talents of both captains and guests against each other, forcing them away from their well rehearsed and honed set material, but giving an equally funny yet slightly raw edge to the stuff delivered. I have always been in awe of how they can deliver even their standard set, let alone this more ad hoc material and staking reputations on the line at the same time, yet as always they came through in style. 

Spread over two parts of around 30 minutes per session gave each a chance to shine, all managing most of the time to garner belly laughs from all quarters of the packed out club, and I’m sure all would have been happy for much, much more. But the recording had to finish, but not the night however.

Oh No. After another short break, Jo was back as MC and introduced a few more comics tried out different stuff with mixed results. First to try his material out was Noah Torn. Now this lad was full of confidence and presence, however for my palate his content was waaaay to surreal. However he kept his cool and never dropped the energy throughout the short set.

Glaswegian Keira Murphy was the next comic to try out her new stuff and although some was slightly less successful, by far the majority was more to the club’s taste and as usual she got an enthusiastic reception. Good to see her on form yet again.

Young up and coming funny man Gareth Waugh was slightly late for his appearance, yet with another twist, something that this comedy collective excel at, his set was soon drawing enthusiastic reactions from the crowd.

And yet more was to come with a short sketch based on Edinburgh Tour Guides, and featured the venerable Jim Park and side kick Ben Verth. I’m not too sure who was having the most fun, these two or the audience, something that is developing to quite a theme with these shows, and that in itself is worth the admission money alone.

There are only two more chances to catch the live recording of the podcast, and the stellar line up for each is found on their website www.edinburghcomedycollective.com and while you are doing that The Stand’s website www.thstand.co.uk is the place to find all the shows they have on offer.

Reviewed by Geoff

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