In true Ben style, the line-up was pulled together into a finely-crafted jigsaw of comedy. As with all jigsaws, the odd piece goes missing, but turns up in the end. Eventually, this was the line-up for Saturday Feb 7th 2008:
- Gary O'Donnell was magnificent as MC for the night. Coming to us 3 months later than originally planned, it was a pleasure to have him working the shed at last. He truly enjoyed himself, and we truly enjoyed engaging with him in a way that only a local audience can. Gary is our own Peter Kay. His comedy is so Leicester-specific that he feels like family. It felt like he was just having a natter with us, his mates, down the pub. He carried on reminiscing with members of the audience after the show was over, in the yard.
- James Acaster was possibly in front of the wrong audience at the wrong time. His story-telling, his compulsive grudge-bearing, his quirkiness were all quality and I don't doubt that on other nights he has them rolling in the aisles. Probably his target audience would be younger than the assembled mass on Saturday, which was unfortunate for him. I hope he perseveres with stand-up, because he's really quite inventive. I was half expecting the set I've watched on youtube, and got something completely different, so his writing ability is in no doubt.
- Matt Price usually does an act in which the audience hangs on his every word as he weaves his story-telling magic (or so other reviews say). For this audience, he wisely abandoned that plan, and just talked with them for 20 minutes. Yes, 20 minutes of pure banter with no jokes as such, really. Abso-blummin-lutely brilliant! I'll never forget Maureen.
- Ashley Frieze was next up to try and deal with the gaggle of audience members who seemd to think they were in their own sitting room watching the telly. To have people comment loudly on every line of a song is hard, but Ashley bit his tongue, persevered and delivered some great musical comedy material.
I missed about half of Ashley's set, unfortunately, as I was helping Ben (who was looking possibly a little stressed at this point) to organise the timings of the remaining acts so that nobody missed other appointments. The original headliner, Nick Page, had had to pull out of the LCF due to travel difficulties caused by the weather. His replacement also pulled out with about 6 hours to spare. I still don't know why, so I won't mention the name as there may have been contractual obligations elsewhere. When Ben told me who
had stepped in at the last minute, I was stunned. So, next up was...
- Henning Wehn, The German Comedy Ambassador to the United Kingdom. I'd been aware of Henning since I'd heard him on Radio 2 early last year. What a star. He takes being German to a level that makes it priceless comedy. However, by being German, and applying the clinical strategies of logic and efficiency, his comedy stabs a bayonet into the side of British culture and society. Some of the material, if you saw it written down, you might think offensive; but delivered by Henning, it was comedy heaven. Four world cups and one world pope!
- Isma Almas was bumped up to headline position, a position she has every right to fill I should add. Firstly, before I mention her act, I must just say what a lovely person she is. It was an absolute pleasure to meet her. In comedy terms, she is simply top drawer, and more than worthy of the praise and awards she has received elsewhere. I'd had a couple of small sherries by that stage of the night, so I can't go into too much detail, but I think Samaritans should take a leaf out of her (and her mother's) book!
I should say something about the "odd audience" I've mentioned, but I think everyone that was there knows what I mean, so I'll leave it. Onwards and upwards for Only Fools and Black Horses. Another fine night of comedy approaches on Thursday. As Henning Wehn said when he saw the poster - "That's a great line-up. Amazing to see Hal Cruttenden not headlining" I think that speaks volumes for what's in stall on Thursday
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