Edinburgh previews guarantee some laughs

Jun 16 2010 The Journal

COMEDY fans in the North East will be getting a sneak preview of stand-up shows bound for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Grinning Idiot Comedy Club has programmed a selection of gigs at both Live Theatre in Newcastle and the Lamplight Arts Centre in Stanley with some hotly-tipped talent who will be making their way north of the border in August.

Kick-starting the Edinburgh preview line-up, Live Theatre will be opening its doors to Gary Delaney and Kai Humphries on July 28.
Delaney’s new show, Purist, consists of an alarming amount of jokes.

 Don’t expect a narrative, theme or a voyage of self-discovery, but do expect jokes – and lots of them.

Meanwhile, at the grand old age of 26, Humphries has decided to take stock of his life so far and see what the implications are for his future.
He recently discovered the relationship minefield that is predictive text and the importance of having a lock on the toilet door when the new girlfriend has moved in.

The following night Live will welcome Chris Ramsey.

The multi-comedy-award-nominee will bring his show Aggrophobic to Newcastle audiences, having already this year appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News and supporting Al Murray and Lee Mack on national and international tour dates.

Meanwhile Alun Cochrane will bring his spectrum-spanning, and lovingly created jokes about life.

Finally at Live,  Mick Ferry and Phil Kay get set to tread the Newcastle boards on July 30.

Over in County Durham, Lamplight will unveil award-winning Geordie comic, Jason Cook and Viz co-founder, Simon Donald on August 1. Simon is enjoying much success with his honed brand of character comedy and loves a home audience. The season will finish with a visit from Tom Wrigglesworth and Dan Willis on August 2.

Call 0191 232 1232 for Live Theatre and  01207 218899 for Lamplight.