Anarcomedy

North Star, Ealing Broadway, Sun 28th Oct

2012-10-23T15:21:00.000+01:00

Soooo, after an amazing 2nd fortnight at The Corner House, Windsor, where the crowd went wild for Manos, Peter White, Nick Beaton and MC Dave Chawner we wind our way with our comedy woadshow of wit back east to The North Star in Ealing Broadway.

This month we have the guitarrific Gwillum Argos

The lustrous Luke Benson

The elegantly effusive Elena Procopiu

And the japeworthy joker himself, Jimmy Bird

And it's all free!

The North Star

43 The Broadway

W5 5JN

Bizarre & Wonderful Venues: Zero Degrees, Blackheath

2012-10-11T13:30:00.001+01:00

Had a fantastic meeting yesterday at a surprisingly wonderful venue in slightly posh Blackheath, Zero Degrees.

What first appears as a small shop front extolling the virtues of a micro brewery, replete with big silver big, opens into a huge, wonderfully designed space, Tardis styley.

A lower level restaurant, cavernous bar, huge mezzanine level, open kitchen and glass enclosed brewery all decked out in a sort of Andy Warhol meets Jackson Pollock style.

The new manager, former actor Vincent, cut his teeth in some of LA's best bars and is looking to revamp the bar, turning it into a SE London go to place for really good beer and all sorts of events. We'll be looking to run comedy on a monthly basis as well so will keep you posted as to what and when.

In the meantime I'd really encourage you to have a look if you're in the neighbourhood. Hell, even if you're not its worth the trip.

Zero Degrees

TELEPHONE: 020 8852 5619

EMAIL: BLACKHEATH@ZERODEGREES.CO.UK

29/31 MONTPELIER VALE

BLACKHEATH

LONDON. SE3 0TJ

7 On Red Comedy Club is Back! FREE!

2012-10-09T17:21:00.000+01:00

After a short break 7 on Red @Walkabout Covent Garden is back! AND IT'S FREE!

Dave Chawner and Myself - Under the guise of D2 Events - have joined forces with 7 on Red's Ria Lina to see what we can do with this rather wonderful night.

Firstly we've moved it from Tuesday to Sunday. This Sunday for the 1st one in fact. Sunday the 14th. Sunday 14th October. Sunday 14th October at 8pm to be precise.

Secondly, it's now FREEEEEE!
The idea is to make this a regular, relaxed 'hang out' type gig for comics and punters alike. If you're not gigging or you finish early come down for a beer or two. Raucousness is encouraged, clothing optional, and networking only permitted if it's sufficiently lubricated.

Oooh, and the beer and food is like... well cheap, with regular offers provided by the bar!

And it's still a gig so to get you endorphins flowing we have:

All controlled by phenomenon that is THE ROGUES!

Corner House, Windsor, Tues 2nd October

2012-10-03T12:26:00.000+01:00

Huge thanks to the Corner House and the people of Windsor, sorry, Slough. Full house last night for our inaugural comedy venture at this newly refurbished and newly managed venue.

More technical sound issues despite two hours trying to re-wire an amp beforehand but a great night nonetheless.

A really nice room to play with own bar at the back and a great attentive crowd. Lot's of laughs despite my best efforts to deaden it;)

Next one will be Wed 17th October from 8pm. It's FREE again and will be busy so drop The Corner House and email or call them on 01753 862031

Huge thanks of course to:

Danielle Ward

Dave Chawner

Dave Green

Stevie Gray

Julie Jones

Joy Carter

Last Chance: FREE COMEDY Windsor!

2012-10-01T08:21:00.001+01:00

Even though it's a free gig, space is being rapidly booked up for tomorrow night's free Anarcomedy @The Corner House.

Grab your table now by calling James on 01753 862 031 or email thecornerhousewindsor@gmail.com.

Featuring Danielle Ward, Julie Jones, Joy Carter, Dave Green and Stevie Gray.

NEW VENUE: The Corner House, Windsor, Tues 2nd Oct, 8pm - FREE!

2012-09-25T17:17:00.001+01:00

Remember the Alma in Farnham? Remember? Well James and Dan have been such good boys they've now taken over the running of The Corner House in Windsor too.

And they want ANARCOMEDY! Well who wouldn't really.

The lineup for our first Windsor gig is out of this world with some of the UK's favourites coming down so bloody get booking your tables. AND IT'S BLOODY FREE!

So who's on?

The defiantly defibrillating Danielle Ward - Yup, the famous one on the wireless and sometimes talking box.

"... silly, sick, surreal or just plain showbiz glitzy. Great fun" - Chortle

The sublimely schitzophrenic Stevie Gray - Famous among pirates and the families of former Beatles.

"Stevie Gray is a rare find of a comedian - not just very funny, he oozes warmth and charm" - Jamie Glassman, Writer, Da Ali G Show

The perennially prison worthy Julie Jones - Infamous. Really infamous.

“The act that shone out the most… her comic timing was impeccable, and just her facial expressions were enough to set me off.” - Large Manchester

The scintillatingly surreal Dave Green - Fish.

“One of the most original, inventive and creative acts on the circuit. Oh, and most importantly, he’s spectacularly funny too.”
- James Gill, Always Be Comedy

And the jubilantly jovial Joy Carter - Wireless famous with a great signal. And telly famous.

"... spontaneous, eccentric and a true individual unafraid of
enjoying herself and being different’ - Amy Rich, BBC

So no excuse.

Anarcomedy @The Corner House, Windsor

8pm,Tues Oct 2nd

FREE!

North Star, Ealing Broadway 23/09/12

2012-09-24T09:13:00.000+01:00

Sometimes comedy, like love is a battlefield. We stand, and whatever the rest of the lyrics are.

Last night at The North Star was proof of this.

An absolutely stellar lineup it must be said but the North Star is a difficult room to play and huge thanks to Darren and Amy for wanting to keep pushing forward with Anarcomedy every month. It's a free gig in an open room meaning background noise is a problem. Many punters, despite publicity, stumble across the gig thus lacking the usual investment in having come deliberately for comedy. We're still working on technical solutions for sound as well. Wireless mics are great but generally require a more orally intimate relationship with them reducing their suitability for stand up where gestures and mic movement are significant elements in a performance.

Despite these difficulties the night was opened by the always solid Jason Patterson. He did great work with what began as a distracted crowd, opting for engagement over material as a table of three at the front decided that somehow their drunkenness meant the gig was for their entertainment only and engaged in slurred banter throughout the set. Jason's naturalness is always a great counterpoint to such annoyances and he took them easily in his stride.

Following Jason was last month's open mic winner Zahra Barri. Zahra's style is an off kilter ditziness with some great right angles to her material. It was a shame that mic problems and background noise meant her voice didn't always come through but she survived with aplomb and I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of her.

Closing out the first half was Mark Restuccia, a comedian of whom I've been quite a fan for a number of years. Again, sound quality and the interruptions of our three drunken pseudo-comics in the corner didn't quite do justice to Mark's wonderfully droll approach but feedback after showed almost universal approval of his style and his experience came through in his superbly relaxed approach to both his material and audience engagement.

The North Star is a strange venue in that we tend to see a slight change in audience in the second half with most seats being filled by the time Stevie Gray opened. He's loud, cheeky and charming and having had the benefit of seeing how the room had worked in the first half he charged on determined to take no prisoners. His one legged pirate Linda McCartney tribute song accompanied by an unsuspecting audience member replete with hook, eyepatch and pirate hat is the perfect antidote to a noisy room and reengaged the audience while dragging more punters in from the back rooms.

Closing out the night was the ever wonderful Elizabeth Hotson whose ASBO wielding alter-ego, Julie Jones, never fails to impress. I'm sure none of the punters present will listen to the Casualty theme tune in quite the same way again. The only down side was her close due to the fact she had to reenter the stage to save the crowd from my absence caused by having to mix the music for her set in an office above the pub. Apologies to Julie but you know I love you cos I'm scared of you.

Sooooo, the night was won despite technical difficulties and feedback was excellent on the whole.

And lessons learned?

The night needs to become a more specifically engaged comedy night with the room more obviously set aside for such.

Better sound management needs to be in place with a more dynamic mic set up and mixing options available in the room itself.

Don't worry, I'm working on it and thankfully The North Star's Darren and Amy are in for the long haul so things can only get better from here on in.

Once again, huge thanks to Jason Patterson, Zahra Barri, Mark Restuccia, Stevie Gray, Julie Jones and of course the Ealing crowd.

Anarcomedy will be back at The North Star on Oct 28th. See y'all then.

Anarcomedy is back @The North Star, Ealing Broadway

2012-09-19T14:53:00.000+01:00

After an awesome first show last month, we're back at the North Star, Ealing Broadway this Sunday 23rd September.

AND IT'S STILL FREE!

Mark Restuccia:
‘Like Jimmy Carr before he presented mind numbing quiz shows on Channel 4 and when he was fresh, he produces comedy by inverting normal day to day topics into funny yet sickening punchlines’
- Comedy Central Live

'His act was like a Royal toilet - always polished but often filthy'

-Channel4.com Comedy Police Review

-Three Weeks

1. Julie Jones:
  
  "...convincing, so well written and so funny..." - John Scott, MC and headliner at the legendary Stand clubs
  
  “The act that shone out the most was the act who eventually won… her comic timing was impeccable, and just her facial expressions were enough to set me off.”
  
  - Large Manchester
  
  Jason Patterson:
  
  "Patterson is a natural performer, taking interaction with the audience in his stride and hitting his comic marks with aplomb" - Broadway Baby
  
  “Jason Patterson absolutely sounds the part. He’s got a rich, deep voice that oozes confidence, and a perfectly measured delivery that gives him instant authority.”- Chortle
  
  Stevie Gray:
  
  "Stevie is well on the way" - Ed Byrne
  
  "Stevie Gray is one of the best up and coming acts on the circuit. With boundless energy on stage, a cheeky smile and an enviable warmth. He continues to impress and is destined for big things".
  
  - John Soffe, Promoter
  
  Zahra Barri:
  
  "A genuine airhead" - Christian Riou 400 Television
  
  "Not as bad as I had feared!" - Cate Donnnegoold, BBC
  
  "She gets less attractive the more she speaks"
  
  - Matt Dwyer, Comedian

The Good Ship Comedy

2012-09-17T09:27:00.000+01:00

The problem with having a blog is that you need to actually write stuff... regularly.

It's been a mad week or two so apologies for the radio silence but big news on the horizon, more of which will come in later posts.

In the mean time there's been lots of gigs, meeting venues and comics, and general schmoozing. In particular I had the pleasure of popping in to The Good Ship Comedy on the Kilburn High Road last Monday courtesy of the wonderful resident host Juliet Stephens.

The Good Ship is a cracking venue involving a bar, floor, tables, beer and what can only be described as a cock fighting pit cunningly disguised as a good old fashioned mosh pit. With chairs.

Headlining the night was the guitar wielding, loop FX pedaling (and pedaling) Rob Deering. I've seen Rob a few times and am always struck by how it always takes me five minutes to work out that time hasn't folded back on itself and brought a young Robert Llewellyn (Kryten from Red Dwarf) back to the stage. I'm currently petitioning the Red Dwarf writers to write in a story of Kryten's misspent youth just to give Rob a shot at challenging the mechanoid master.

KrytenRob Deering

Anyhoo, Rob was, as always, awesome, Juliet controlled the night with relaxed aplomb and the only down side was missing out on winning the 99p shop bag raffle.

Considering it's a weekly gig, it's amazing how consistently strong every line-up is.

There are rumours of some changes at The Good Ship Comedy but more on that later. If you haven't had a chance to liven your Monday's here you really should.

Bowled Over Comedy at The Balham Bowls Club Thurs, 6th September: The Return

2012-09-07T14:02:00.001+01:00

Birthday's come but once a year and last night saw The Balham Bowls Club play host to resident night Bowled Over Comedy's 2nd.

And fist gig back after the summer break for the night that has become synonymous with both classy stand up and celebrity studded improv.

The night opened with the occasionally surreal and justifiably loveable Phil Higgins followed by the wonderful Julian England before being closed out by the always hilarious Sarah Pascal.

Unfortunately due to a weird bout of nerves and the fact I was supposed be hosting a Speed Date event I missed the entire bloody half. Gutted I missed those three.

Nonetheless I got to see the irrepressible Don Biswas open the second. I dragged Don down to The Alma in Farnham not long ago and he stormed it there so I was looking forward to seeing some of his new, more political material and he didn't disappoint. I loved him, the crowd loved him and the combination of old and new material worked a dream. If you've seen him before, it's time to see him again and if you haven't, you're in for a treat.

I popped on after Don, a wonderful but intimidating act to follow. Having been focussing on hosting and writing for the last year and a half this was my first proper set in bloody ages and, loathe as I am to admit it, I was bricking it. I've decided to reset the comedy button after such a break and reworked one of my first ever sets. I wouldn't say I knocked anyone out but it was just good to get back on stage, steal a few laughs and at least slap a couple of punters a bit.

Then came Juliet Stevens. I love watching Juliet with her tightly constructed yet rambling tales and she delivered last night. I still can't get 'It's porn... But it's TV... but it's porn..." out of my head. I'll be popping down to her night - The Good Ship Comedy Club - in Kilburn on Monday so hopefully see some of you there.

And Bowled Over Comedy's 2nd birthday was headlined by the absolutely marvelous Jimmy Bird. Gag after gag was delivered through an occasionally perplexed, often cute, and always confident persona that provided the perfect vehicle for his often surreal set ups. And his Mum and Dad are lovely.

The great thing about Bowed Over nights at The Balham Bowls Club is that it's such a lovely room, the crowd is always receptive and its just a great venue to play.

Bowled Over will be back with an Improv night on October the 4th with Stand Up back on November 1st.

Stay tuned.

Fulham Gig Postponed But 2 New Venues!

2012-09-05T16:26:00.003+01:00

Just a quick post this time:

To those of you who were booked or were coming along to the Fulham gig, it's been postponed by the venue for a month. Apologies folks.

However, we now have two new monthly venues on the books.

One in Balham which shall remain nameless for the time being and the other is The Corner House, Windsor. It's been taken over by the lovely James who also runs The Alma, Farnham. We'll be kicking off there on October 3rd. It's already been advertised in the local press so should be quite a good one.

Also will have some Xmas gig news and promotions coming soon so stay tuned.

J

The Dark Balham Rises for a Fiver! Bowled Over's 2nd Birthday!

2012-09-03T14:07:00.002+01:00

Balham continues its meteoric rise as the South's leading comedy destination this Thursday at The Balham Bowls Club. It's Bowled Over's 2nd birthday and still going strong.

Headlined by the wonderful JIM CAMPBELL

Plus

Jimmy Bird

Juliet Stevens

Phil Higgins Don Biswas

And:

Sarah Pascal, Julian England and myself

And a quick note, a lack of photo does not denote lack of importance! Just... um... limited time:(

And it's only a fiver!!!!!

Tix going fast and available here: www.wegottickets.com/event/180723 or grab them at the bar

Alma Farnham: Looks Like We Made It

2012-08-28T13:36:00.000+01:00

Sometimes, after all those years of graft, dying on stage, crying into your beer, hours of endless travel, playing for free, paying to play etc there comes along a gig, so magnificent, so devastatingly perfect that it all, for a moment, seems to have been worth it.

The Alma on Sunday was just such a gig.

Six amazing comedians, a lovely country pub and 2, yes 2, paying customers!

Was it the post olympic blues? The Notting Hill Carnival? The Bank holiday weekend? Perhaps we'll never know.

But we're professionals. We all got paid and the show, as they say, must go on. So huge thanks to the highly professional sets of all who performed and not a complaint in sight. Gawd I love you guys.

Dave Chawner
Joy Carter
Rich Perry
Alex Holland
Philfy Phil Alexander
& Tony Milton

The world, or at least our two punters, salute you.

P.S. Yes we WILL be back at The Alma next month!

Hello Farnham My Old Friend...

2012-08-22T12:51:00.002+01:00

...I've come to comedy you up again.

That's right folks, Anarcomedy returns to The Alma, Farnham, for another bout of Sunday satire this Sunday 26th August.

Tix 5 in advance, 10 on the door.

So if you fancy a country break with your Sunday roast and five amazing comics then drop The Alma a line at info@thealmafarnham.com or give James a call on 01252 344148.

This month we've got:

Dave Chawner

Joy Carter

Rich Perry

Alex Holland and Philfy Phil Alexander

Anarcomedy @ The North Star Ealing Broadway Sun 19th August

2012-08-20T17:33:00.001+01:00

So last night at The North Star, Ealing Broadway was a success! Despite the heat a good crowd turned out to watch our mini 5 open mic competition followed by 5 cracking acts.

Blod Jones, Misha Ryan, Karen White, Rob Holdham and Zahra Barri battled it out for 5 minute fame with Zahra wining top honours and a pint and Blod with the silver - A packet of ready salted crisps.

Anarcomedy is also hoping to get Zahra back for a fifteen slot in the near future.

The first half was rounded out by the superb Joy "Don't eat the yellow chicken" Carter.

The second half opened with local celeb Manos, followed by the joyfully buoyant Sarah Iles. The quietly charming Dave Chawner continued molesting the audience to lead in the delightfully disgusting Michael Kossew - I've never seen a room so equally split down the middle between horror and delight.

And a big shout to the woman who bailed Michael up for about ten minutesafter the show on how he was an idiot and should never make jokes about barren 30 year old women - "I know what I'm talking about because I'm Irish." Nothing like a bit of inverse racism from a fellow country person.

Special thanks go to Comedy Dave from Bowled Over Comedy (Balham Bowls Club) for the techie gear.

So it looks like we'll be back next month. Stay tuned for dates and acts and see y'all again at the North Star.

P.S. Joy Carter and Dave Chawner will be performing for Anarcomedy this Sunday 26th August at the terrifyingly chilled out Alma in Farnham so if you fancy a Sunday roast and trip to the countryside, drop James a line. 5 quid in advance, ten on the door.

Original Dating New Web Site

2012-08-20T12:29:00.001+01:00

After months of graft and reams of code, Original Dating have finally launched their new website.

www.originaldating.com

It's certainly a lot more user friendly than the previous site which was still respectably functional.

A bolder, cleaner look and sharper logo compliment a generally fresher feel, significantly easing readability and surprisingly increasing the overall load speed of the site. They've also added a venue review section rating suitability for that all important first date.

www.originaldating.com

Events are clearly identifiable with twitter and blog updates running down the right hand column and info strip right where you need it. It's a deceptively simple design for what is a large and very complex site, so hats off to them.

Back-end and CMS work was undertaken by the extraordinarily talented Simon Hedges with brand design and graphics work by freelancer Kris Ellis.

Already known for its innovative and relaxed events, and with rumours of a new style of online dating facility to be added soon, the new site looks set to place Original Dating as the South East's frontrunner in the dating industry.

And yes I do work for them occasionally.

Check them out at www.originaldating.com

FREE COMEDY TONIGHT EALING BROADWAY!

2012-08-19T15:06:00.001+01:00

Just a reminder of tonights gig in Ealing Broadway.

It's bloody well FREE!

The North Star,

43 The Broadway,

W5 5JN

Tonight 8PM

Featuring:

Dave Chawner Michael Kossew

Joy Carter

Manos

Plus:

Rob Holdham

All compered that bloke wot came last in Come Date With Me, John Davis!

See y'all there!

Anarcomedy Comes to Ealing!

2012-08-13T11:47:00.000+01:00

That's right folks. Anarcomedy will be at the wonderful North Star this Sunday 19th August... AND IT'S FREE!

The thing about the North Star is it balances perfectly the line between trendy upcoming pub and nice local so something for everyone.

Get yourselves down early as it promises to be a huge one. Food available all day and it's not half bad!

And just in case you missed it, it's flaming FREE!

Pub Comedy in My Old Home Town!

2012-08-10T15:52:00.000+01:00

Back in my misspent youth I spent many hours at pubs down by the river in Walton-on-Thames.

A particular favourite was The Swan, mainly because of its dart board and old man feel. I still pop in every time I'm back but now it's more of a Gastro type deal with a magnificent beer garden overlooking the river. But no dart board alas.

A few years ago the run down Walton Playhouse underwent a bit of a refurbishment and started hosting big acts once a month which sold out almost every show but alas there was very little in the way of relaxed quality pub comedy.

And then The Swan stepped up to the plate.

The first of their bi-monthly gigs sold out almost immediately and they've just announced the lineup for the next one on Sat 6th October.

Soooooo if you fancy some suburban silliness with your beer check out www.swanwalton.com

October sees ex-SAS compere Gary Coleman guiding the shenanigans of:

Gary "Kill you with a smile" Coleman

Mark Felgate Paul Kerensa

Johnny Freeman and Mark Diamond

Tix 20 quid with meal. Email Steve at swanevents@youngs.co.uk to book your spot and see you there.

Great Designer

2012-08-10T14:07:00.001+01:00

Just a quick plug for a guy who has been doing some amazing work for me.

I can't show you examples cos it's a secret but I strongly recommend him for logos, layout work and any other comedically creative stuff.

Really quick, fantastically priced and... like... well good.

His name is Thomas Whitehead and he's in the process of starting up his own business so show him some support.

Check out his facebook page: www.facebook.com/qwiddledesigns

or drop him an email at qwiddledesigns@hotmail.com

New Faceplant Page

2012-08-10T09:14:00.003+01:00

So I've finally bowed to pressure from friends and family and created a separate page for gig type things.

So pop across to www.facebook.com/Anarcomedy for all comedy/gig/event/review type things. I'll be posting paid opps, open slots, venue and gig reviews and other titillating tidbits.

If you're a comedian, venue, booker or hanger on you need to like this page. Like, honest and stuff. Innit.

J

Edinburgh Shmedinburgh! (Cheers Gary/Kate;))

2012-08-02T15:15:00.001+01:00

Okay, who's tired of the annual self flagellation that is Edinburgh?

The BBC were rightly concerned at the absence of Alexie Sayle during Edinburgh

Or perhaps simply not going...

I've got two gigs coming up I need acts for so if you fancy sticking it to the man then drop me a line.

The first is on August 19th down old Fulham way. 15 of your finest minutes paying 15 of the Queens single faces. Also looking for newbies for an open mic/beginners bring a friend section for tight 5's if you fancy giving this comedy malarkey a go.

The second is back in Farnham at the wonderful Alma Pub.

15 min sets again but paying 25 squids plus travel. This one seems to be emerging as a comedians favourite despite small crowds. Its basically a good opportunity to escape the big smoke and have a laugh with a really relaxed and engaged crowd.

Check out previous posts to see how it goes down.

If you just fancy coming down and catching the action, tickets are a tenner on the door or a fiver pre booked here or call on 01252 344 148.

If you're available for either, email me here.

If not, say hello anyway.

Sorry! Edinburgh... Whatevs...

2012-08-02T14:34:00.000+01:00

I'd said to a few of you that I'd put a plug here for your Edinburgh previews but things have been ridiculously busy and I just haven't managed it! Really sorry but from what I hear, most have been really succesful.

Let me know about Edinburgh shows though and I'll see what I can put up.

Good luck you masochists!

"This is a little different to what I expected of my 1st Edinburgh Festival" thought Dave

Cavendish Arms, Stockwell

2012-08-01T13:15:00.000+01:00

It's always daunting making that first leap from "my mates think I'm funny" to actually getting up on stage for the first time for what can seem like the longest five minutes of your life.

To be fair, the best piece of advice I was ever given was: if your mates down the pub say you should do stand up comedy, DON'T.

I've seen so many first timers with clear talent pop up at a really difficult venue for their debut only to suffer a huge dent in confidence or come away form a dodgy gig with the idea that the whole industry is full of shisters (Thistle anyone?).

So what is the erstwhile newby to do? How do they go about getting those first few minutes of stagetime without putting themselves through hell?

David the 'ex'-mental health worker

The Cavendish Arms in Stockwell have been running 'Comedy Virgins' - a beginners open mic night -for quite a while now and it's proved so successful they now run two evenings a week on Monday and Tuesday.

What makes it such a great beginners gig is that all acts have to bring at least one guest and both the act and guest have to stay until the end of the show. It's a great, professional looking room with a consistently supportive and fun atmosphere.

Spots get booked up well in advance but there are also 5 first come first serve spaces available on both nights. They also run a yearly competition with some not so bad prizes.

Shirley is the one to contact if you fancy a slot so drop her an email here or turn up from 5 on either day to see if you can get on.

Stevie Gray at The Alma, July, Sunday 22nd August

2012-07-26T14:14:00.001+01:00

With special guest, the latecomer Steve!

Nice one fella. Nice one.