Top comic will bring a barrel of laughs to the Palace
One of Scotland’s most enduring stand- up comedians is returning to Ayrshire with all- new material.
Des McLean – cited by Scots comedy legend Billy Connolly as his favourite performer – has racked up hundreds of thousands of miles throughout the UK in a career spanning almost two decades.
Now he will hit the stage at Kilmarnock’s famous Palace Theatre on Thursday, June 1 as part of a special event from Ayrshire promoters Sidesplitters Comedy Club.
A former co- host of Radio Clyde’s hit Bowie at Breakfast programme, McLean won legions of fans with his series of hillarious wind- up calls.
And now he is returning to the stage after spending many years in the theatre world - including taking on the role of controversial politician Tommy Sheridan.
He performed as the former Socialist MSP in I, Tommy, a play based on his legal battle with the News of The World newspaper.
In an interview last summer he said: “It’s great just to be doing stand- up again.
“The show is all new material and it’s changed since I started it.”
Like most comedians, McLean’s material is heavily shaped by current affairs – and none more so than the independence question.
He said: “I decided I wanted to do stand- up when I was doing the ‘ A to Z of Scotland’ show last year.
“I did a show the night after the referendum in Falkirk and it was so surreal. People were just staring at me as if what had happened was my fault. That was my worst show for many years.
With 18 years of experience, McLean is now respected as one of Scotland’s veteran comics.
And throughout that career, he has watched comedy evolve – from small gigs at clubs in cities, to comedians earning prime- time specials on national television.
Speaking last year, he said: “Comedy has really come into our living rooms. Comedians like Michael McIntyre, Kevin Bridges and shows like Live at the Apollo have changed it.
“Years ago you’d maybe get a stand- up comedian perform in the Palladium on a Sunday night but there are so many shows now and it seems like the new rock and roll.
“These days you get people coming along to the shows that know what to expect and maybe others that are going to a gig for the first time as they have enjoyed stand- up on TV.”
Tickets for Des McLean at the Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock on Thursday, June 1 are available from eastayrshireleisure. com or 01563 554300.
For more info on Sidesplitters Comedy Club search ‘ SidesplittersScotland’ on Facebook.