standup
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Alice-India: See You In Hell at Underbelly Bristo Square review – ‘casual, fun and effortless’
I last saw Alice-India perform at the (sadly) now-deceased Cowgirl Comedy in Bristol several years ago. She headlined a weird but fun show (also featuring an embryonic Sam Williams), and had a compellingly relaxed and confessional presence, so I was intrigued to see how her material and persona had developed. Fast-forward to 2025 and she’s debuting, with a show called ‘See You in Hell.’
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Laura Davis: Despair Is Beneath Us at Monkey Barrel review – ‘whimsical and brilliant’
I knew absolutely nothing about Laura Davis before walking into their show, Despair Is Beneath Us, other than they’re being Australian. They start from the audience, chatting their way onto the stage, and have the immediate ease that twenty years in comedy give a performer, instantly coming across assured and charming (even before most of the audience can see them).
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‘Fella: show us ur fruitcake’ at The Alma Tavern review: ‘endearingly giggly and chaotic’
It’s a chilly evening up in Clifton at the newly air-conditioned Alma Tavern Theatre. We’re a slightly thin but nevertheless game audience here to see ‘Fella: show us ur fruitcake.’ Fella ambles into the audience entrance minutes before showtime, resplendent in a leopard print zip-up top, silver face paint and wig cap and makes her way down the stairs, merrily chatting un-mic’d to the audience even before she begins.
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Review: Melanie Bracewell at the Hen & Chicken – ‘inventive, solid gags and big laughs’
NZ Taskmaster winner Melanie Bracewell comes to south Bristol on the brink of what reports are suggesting could be spring, specifically to the Hen and Chicken studio on the heels of a successful UK tour in 2024. This time around, she’s touring her sold-out Edinburgh Fringe show Attack of the Melanie Bracewell. After a ten minute set – wearing a fantastic sparkly short suit – she moves aside to introduce her support, fellow Kiwi comic Becky Umbers.
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Review: ‘Why Are You Laughing?’ at the Alma Tavern – ‘sardonic and weary’
Pierre Novellie comes onstage at the Alma Tavern Theatre with no support act and minimal warning. Stand-ups aren’t known for their extravagant onstage fashion – why bother when you’re performing as yourself in the back of a pub – and in black jeans and hoodie, for a second Novellie could be mistaken for a put-upon theatre technician.
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Review – ‘Chris Fleming Live: On Stage’ at the Leicester Square Theatre – ‘hilariously, relentlessly funny’
I booked to see Chris Fleming’s show on minimal information. I’d seen his brilliant viral video, ‘Company is Coming,’ which to date has over 14 million views. More recently, I listened to his interview on fellow comedian Mike Birbiglia’s podcast. When I saw his UK shows advertised, I thought I should book one, because as an American, he doesn’t come to the UK very often – this was his first UK tour, having performed previously at the Soho Theatre.