Big Yin once played at Largs comedy venue
A NEW comedy venue in Largs once hosted Billy Connolly during his early years of live performing in North Ayrshire, it’s been revealed.
We recently reported that a comedy showcase is coming to The George Bar and is offering the opportunity to any aspiring standups in North Ayrshire to show off their skills.
And it turns out that one of Scotland’s greatest ever comedians once performed in the premises when it was known as The George Hotel in the early 1970s.
The new free comedy event on May 24 sees Steve Goldie, the former West Sound and Q96 radio presenter take to the stage with performances from comedians who have appeared at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Fringe.
And Steve told the News he was amazed to find out that ‘The Big Yin’ performed in The George around 50 years ago.
He said: “It was a great surprise and I hope it will influence any wannabe stand-ups to come along to our show on May 24 when there will be an open mike opportunity.
“One of my colleagues tells me she remembers being in The George around 1971/72 when Billy was performing with his band The Humblebums, which, of course, included the amazing musician Gerry Rafferty.
“The Humblebums performed in a number of venues across the west coast of Scotland, including the former Ingledene Hotel in Ardrossan, and Billy was well known to enjoy a drink with locals afterwards.
“Billy was later to return to Largs to perform at Barrfields in 1977 with his satirical story The Crucifixion.”
Radical Protestant preacher Pastor Jack Glass, of the Glasgowbased 20th Century Reformation Movement, once described ‘The Crucifixion’ as “sacrilege”, but it was also noted a number of local church elders enjoyed the concert.
Steve added: “I know the Crucifixion was performed in Edinburgh as well and it certainly proved controversial at the time, but people enjoyed it too.”
Steve pointed out that Largs also had a number of other comedy connections, including the late John Sessions, who was born in the town as John Marshall in 1953, and made a name for himself on Channel Four’s ‘Whose Line is it Anyway’, as well as Billy Connolly’s inspiration, Chic Murray.
Murray performed on stage at the famous Barrfields summer shows in the 1950s and 1960s.
Other comics to have performed in Largs include Fred Macaulay at Lounge and the Vikingar!, as well as TV personality and radio presenter Des Clarke, who appeared at Vikingar! in a stand-up show.
Steve added: “Largs has a good comedy heritage. We are hoping to introduce live stand-up nights at the George every month, and make it something that the town looks forward to.
“We are certainly bringing some of the cream of Scottish comedy to The George so hopefully everyone comes along and enjoys seeing live comedy on their doorstep.”
There are nine acts on the bill for the May 24 show, including Collette Boyd, Mhairi Jane Kinnard, Rose Wilde, Brian Mooney, Jaki Logan, Sean Reid, and Glorious Gaynor.
A five minute slot has also been set aside for any aspiring comedians to try their hand in front of The George audience. For more details, email stevegoldiecomedy@ gmail.com.
The show starts at 7.30pm. A second date has already been arranged for the same venue, on Friday, June 21.
THERE are queues to get in and out of Largs today due to roadworks on the A78 in Irvine Road.
Portable traffic lights are in place, with the works being carried out by Virgin Media and 02 (primary), and Diona Construction (secondary) on the trunk road.
Both northbound and southbound traffic has been affected.
The works are ongoing daily till around 4pm until Wednesday of this week. They are currently in place near the entrance to Douglas Park.
Amey say that they anticipate a slight delay to motorists.