Posts Tagged ‘The Pub Landlord’

For the first time all weekend I had to join a queue to get into the gig in The Comedy Hub and with a headliner as well-known as Al Murray I can’t say I was surprised at the droves of people filing into the tent for the show. Having found a seat among the excited crowd I sat back and wondered if the evening would be worthy of the build up.

The MC for the gig was well-known Irish comedian Karl Spain. Launching straight into audience interactions with an ease that only comes from experience Spain successfully managed to find a comedic angle no matter who he spoke to. Quickly getting the room on side with relatable material and funny quips Spain prepped us well, keeping the crowd interested and laughing before introducing the first act of the evening Sammy J & Randy.

This unusual double act began their set with a metaphor battle as part of a bittersweet love song with hilarious results. Much of their set was based on the idea that they are friends conversing and involved them playing out their conflicts and stories on stage through the medium of music. With songs based on topics like secrets and forgotten tradespeople Sammy J & Randy bring a lot of unique material to their set and I really enjoyed the unexpected lyrics and witty punch lines. The amusing banter between the duo along with Randy’s exaggerate physical expression throughout the performance drew a lot of laughter from the audience and they even manged an impressive ‘improv’ song based on a member of the front row! Definitely not your usual comedy act these guys managed to bamboozle and amuse me in equal measure though the same cannot be said for some of the audience, leaving me feeling yet again that perhaps they were not best matched with the rest of the evening’s line up by the festival’s organisers. Completing their set with a lullaby with an unexpected twist Sammy J & Randy are definitely an act I would happily see again.

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