Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Acts from across the world are here to make us laugh
This week’s Festival Focus turns the spotlight on the best of the comedy acts – taking world-class talent from America, family-friendly slapstick from Australia, and Jane Austen seen through the eyes of a New Zealand comedienne
Best musical stand-up Has there ever been a better time to be an American in the UK? Step forward Rich Hall (Rich Hall Live, November 3, 8pm at the Shirley Hall) – comedian, writer and musician, whose Rich Hall’s (US Election) Breakdown on Radio 4 earlier this year made compulsive listening – and who is likely to prove among the festival’s most popular acts this year. His latest show begins as a withering dissection of Trump’s America, but ends up being a celebration of Americana – with stand-up, improvised ballads, plus cracking good musicianship from his band. He said: “My hoedowns are just a chance for me to indulge my country-and-western fantasies. A lot of us comedians are frustrated musicians, and my choice of music just happens to be hillbilly, bluegrass kind of stuff.” As the critics have said: “Blissfully funny.” We agree.
Star stand-up In the past year rising star Tom Allen (October 31, 7.30pm at the Shirley Hall) has supported Sarah Millican around the world and sold out his Edinburgh and London runs – while still living with his parents (because he can’t afford not to) in Bromley, Kent. He has been favourably compared to Eddie Izzard, Victoria Wood and Oscar Wilde, and is never happier than when he’s tossing out quotes from the poet William Henry Davies or lyrics from the film Grease. Waspish, erudite, self-aggrandising and very funny, you’ll want to take him home.
Family-friendly entertainment Squashbox Theatre presents some Curious Creatures (October 26, 2pm at the Spiegeltent) of all shapes and sizes to enchant and delight humans of all shapes, ages and sizes. From performing fleas to skateboarding snails and gymnastic gerbils to an irritable alligator, an overexcited elephant and a very intelligent orangutan; this is a puppet show that showcases the best of family theatre. If you simply can’t get enough, there will even be a free postshow workshop afterwards.
From the Origin of Species to Dr Death and the Medi-evil Medicine Show Why leave life’s big questions for the adults to mull over? Tangram Theatre present The Origin of Species… (October 28, Spiegeltent, 2pm) – a show packed with big theories, terrible puns, brilliant physical comedy and six cracking original songs about everything from blasted boring barnacles to the perils of marrying your cousin. An international smash hit, the show tells the incredible story of how Charles Darwin came to discover the secrets of evolution and why it took him more than 20 years to publish his remarkable idea. If the children are hungry for more scientific silliness, there’s plenty on offer. Offering a historically accurate panto for children (and other childish people) the time-travelling Dr Death and the Medi-evil Medicine Show (October 23, St Mary’s Hall Studio Theatre, 2pm) will offer a truly funny and highly engaging history of medicine, hygiene, anatomy and disease through the ages.
A Pub Quiz for Kids Hosted by one of the UK’S favourite comedians, the Pub Quiz for Kids with Patrick Monahan (October 21, Spiegeltent, 2pm) may not enlighten you with a great deal general knowledge, but you’ll certainly learn a thing or two about the people sitting near you. Children (and grown-up children) will love this; as recommended in Broadway Baby: “If you have kids, take them to this show. If you don’t have kids, steal some and take them to this show.”
Kiwi comedienne Just when you thought there was no more to be said about Jane Austen in this, her bicentenary year – up pops New Zealand’s favourite comedienne, Penny Ashton, whose affectionate one-woman musical take on her novels offers a funny and irreverent parody of impoverished heroines, dashing cads and unsuitable suiters. Promise and Promiscuity (October 26, 7pm at the Spiegeltent) is an absolute delight.
Local heroes This summer the festival was on the hunt for Kent’s best comedy talent through its annual comedy competition. The three shortlisted finalists will be judged in Made in Kent: Comedy (October 17, 8pm at the Lanfranc Theatre, Canterbury College). Headlined by the Rev Ravi Holy, last year’s winner, it is an evening guaranteed to have you in stitches. What advice would you give an aspiring performer? Give yourself a chance to be rubbish. Forgive yourself for learning – you need to go through it to know what makes you good. The longer it lasts the better you’ll be. Trying to be perfect is sabotage.