Top comics make top recommendations for Glasgow Comedy Festival
We asked a bunch of comics to name the show at Glasgow Comedy Festival (other than their own) that they’re most excited about: here’s the pick of their peers
Alex Stringer
I saw Rosa Garland’s show at the Edinburgh Fringe and it was everything. Such note-perfect comedy. The show was so playful, creative and thought provoking. Rosa had the whole audience in the palm of her hand and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Alex Stringer, Admiral Woods, Saturday 14 March; Rosa Garland, The Old Hairdresser’s, Wednesday 11 March.
Bella Humphries
My pick is Marjolein Robertson’s Marjolein Is On Holiday. After her back-to-back trilogy of shows, I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes next. Will this show continue with her usual blend of comedy, storytelling and folklore? Will this be something entirely new? Is she just pranking us all and actually going on holiday? I for one am pumped to find out.
Bella Humphries, Gael & Grain, Sunday 15 March; Marjolein Robertson, Flying Duck, Saturday 21 March.
Ifrah Qureshi
Eliott Simpson platforms diversity with a year-long calendar of top comedy, bringing together performers from all backgrounds across Scotland and the UK. It’s a safe space for all, where I have never cackled harder at race jokes.
Ifrah Qureshi, Tennent’s Laughter Lounge, Saturday 14 March; Diversity Quota, The Social Hub, Saturday 14 March.
Jay Lafferty
It has to be Gareth Mutch’s Maybe Tomorrow. Gareth has pure funny bones. A brilliant storyteller, full of fun and nonsense. I’m going to be cheeky and sneak another recommendation in for Benefit For Lui as the best stand-ups in the country raise money for an awesome little boy.
Jay Lafferty, The Stand, Saturday 21 March; Gareth Mutch, The Stand, Saturday 14 March; Benefit For Lui, The Stand, Sunday 29 March.
Julia Sutherland
Commissioned has been my Festival fave for 13 years. Joyful/thrilling/experimental: a cool, secret club you get to join for the night. Suggest a theme in advance and a brilliant line-up tackles the winner in wildly creative and hilarious ways. Disclaimer: I sign up yearly, panic-writing something unhinged last minute, but everyone else delivers gold.
Julia Sutherland, The Old Hairdresser’s, Saturday 28 March; Commissioned, The Stand, Sunday 22 March.
Karen Dunbar
My recommendation is Craig Hill. Firstly, because he’s always consistently funny and great with an audience but also cos Craig used to come and sing at my karaoke in Edinburgh in 1996 and 30 years on he’s still a magic guy.
Karen Dunbar, Citizens Theatre, Wednesday 25 March; Craig Hill, Òran Mór, Friday 13 & Saturday 14 March.
Katie Norris
I’m excited to see Dom McGovern. He makes me howl with laughter: lightning-fast jokes, a shit-hot persona and sensational crowd work. He’s proof you can put lipstick on a pig. He won’t mind me saying that because he loves Miss Piggy. He’s going to make a splash with this debut.
Katie Norris, The Old Hairdresser’s, Thursday 12 March; Dom McGovern, The Stand, Saturday 21 March.
Kim Blythe
I recommend Amanda Dwyer’s I Did Something Bad. It’s powerful, educational and hilarious. Women’s healthcare is sadly not spoken about enough and Amanda has a magical way of finding the light in the darkness of her own experience. Everyone should see it.
Kim Blythe, Citizens Theatre, Friday 20 March; Amanda Dwyer, The Stand, Sunday 22 March.
Madeleine Munford
I am most excited for Ryan Cullen’s Cullen Me Softly. Ryan writes dark humour with empathy and delivers it with a mischievous, playful energy that speaks to often unspoken, relatable and shared truths amongst his audiences. His dark jokes aren’t simply for shocking an audience, but releasing shockwaves that resonate long after his lively, unapologetic performances.
Madeleine Munford, Gael & Grain, Sunday 15 March; Ryan Cullen, Blackfriars, Thursday 12 March.
Sabina
I am looking forward to Sarah Bradley’s How To Write A Romcom. I know Sarah so I know she writes meticulous shows but this one, being largely based on what the audience and characters will be on the night, makes me so curious. Her show from last year was phenomenal so this looks promising.
Sabina, Gael & Grain, Saturday 14 March; Sarah Bradley, Gael & Grain, Sunday 22 March.
Sam Nicoresti
Rosa Garland’s show was my favourite of the Fringe. Messy, masochistic and not for the prudish. It felt a bit like watching a clown at Torture Garden doing performance art about the eroticism of gunge. I’ve had this conversation a bunch and I think the British public have a libidinal fascination.
Sam Nicoresti, The Old Hairdresser’s, Friday 13 March; Rosa Garland, The Old Hairdresser’s, Wednesday 11 March.
Zara Gladman
I’m looking forward to Tim Key. Last year I accosted him in a London takeaway after a night out. I told him: ‘I LOVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO!’ He thanked me, then we stood in silence, waiting for our respective orders. He doesn’t need a plug. This is an apology for being such an intense fan.
Zara Gladman, Rum Shack, Thursday 12 March; Tim Key, Tramway, Thursday 26–Saturday 28 March.