James Gardner: Stand Up For Scottish Football comedy review – Trying to save the national game
An over-reliance on clips gets in the way of a show that makes decent points about Scottish football’s current spot in the football firmament
James Gardner loves Scottish football as only a Scot living in London can. But the Glaswegian exile reiterates time and time again that his devotion is infused with bitterness for the denigration of the Scottish Premiership and its almighty overshadowing by the swaggering English Premier League. This heart-on-sleeve Celtic fan establishes the nation’s importance in the early evolution of the beautiful game, but while there’s no denying that Scotland can boast a number of notable firsts (including staging the first international, a goalless draw with the Auld Enemy, and the first black international in Andrew Watson), Gardner’s slide-reliant, Wikipedia-style presentation of his staid opening section is emblematic of a show that’s often too lecture-like and frustratingly niche.
He capably conveys the nerdery and partisanship of the committed fan but if too many gags about the national game require additional context after the punchline, then they need retooling. Besides, while the English Prem is undoubtedly over-hyped, that’s hardly an original observation. More intriguing is the argument that the SPL is undervalued. However, cherry-picking the worst punditry of Ally McCoist and Gary Neville and somehow turning outstanding free-kick braces from Leigh Griffiths and Declan Rice into a dull willy-waving contest simply highlights the show’s dependence on match clips. And on only its second run-out, the audiovisual aspects are still beset by a fair few technical gremlins.
Equally though, the set’s best moments are the video sketches that dominate the second half, with Gardner playing off himself as the likes of Douglas Ross, bringing down a house party with his terrible patter. Or Wilfried Nancy and Russell Martin unveiling their ill-advised new joint venture. The show can only tighten up. But right now, Gardner is struggling to make it engage.
James Gardner: Stand Up For Scottish Football reviewed at Blackfriars Basement, as part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival.