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Mostly Comedy Summer / Sun-mer Special


I was delighted with how last night’s Summer Special went. 

Me, standing up.

The fact it went so well was due in no small part to our technician Paul Williams, who’d rigged the lights and sound prior to our arrival, meaning for the first time in seven years, we arrived to a space that was nearly set up and ready for us. His attention to detail, particularly with lighting, gave the show an extra kick that lifted it from a standard Mostly Comedy to the ‘special’ of its title.

(I would have worded that better if I’d had more sleep.)

Glyn and me, standing up.

We were pleasantly surprised with how well the show worked in the space. While we’re both very familiar with The Sun Hotel, having attending gigs and meetings there in the past (Glyn’s wife also used to work there), we weren’t sure if it would be right for comedy. I’m pleased to say that we were wrong; it was the best Summer Special by a long chalk, with a great atmosphere  - and a bar that, for a change, we didn’t have to staff ourselves.

Roisin Conaty, standing up.
 
It helped that the line-up was excellent. Roisin Conaty made her first Mostly Comedy appearance, taking the stage in the first half to road-test some new material that was warmly received by the crowd, who were clearly delighted to see her. I got the impression most people weren’t used to watching work-in-progress - least of all from the act they may have specifically come to see - and loved the informality of it, and the chance to hear her do new stuff.

Joey Page, standing up.
 
Joey Page was great and lovely as ever (sorry for the ego-massage). He’s one of the few acts to have played nearly every Mostly Comedy venue in Hitchin, Edinburgh and London. Then we had Phil Kay, who's my favourite stand-up. He was on unfollowable form, which was convenient, as no-one had to follow him. 

Phil Kay, standing (and mic-ing) up.
 
Mine and Glyn’s material went well, as did my five-minute solo set. All in all, it was a great night. Now the Summer Special has passed, Mostly Comedy goes into its annual August hibernation. We’re back in September with Stewart Lee, which is something to look forward to - so look forward to it, damn it. 



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