I wasn’t going to do a post this week for obvious reasons (it’s show time!). But I need somewhere to expend this nervous energy.
I had a very enjoyable experience on the Some Laugh podcast, which is now live. You can listen in all the usual podcast places (here’s the Spotify link and you can watch the video on YouTube). They’re a lovely bunch of lads, who I’ve been orbitting for a wee while.
The first time I came across Marc Jennings was at a memorial for my friend Jo Mackenzie in 2019. I worked with Jo at The Universal pub in Sauchiehall Lane in 2007; he was a hilarious man, who did stand up for a time (he was a contemporary of Ford Kiernan) and comedy art. After he died sadly by suicide in 2018, Jo’s friends and family organised a festival of music, comedy and art to raise funds for mental health charities. Marc was on the line-up; I knew if he had a connection to Jo, he was a good egg. And he was, as it turned out, “some laugh” too. Marc’s 2023 Fringe show, which covered the loss of his mum during COVID was brutally funny and warm.
Stuart McPherson has also been on my radar for a long time, through my dear friend of the substack, Dr Gemma Flynn. About eight years ago(?) I used to go to a comedy night called ‘Lightbulb’ in Blackfriars where Stuart, Gemma (and possibly Stephen Buchanan?) and others performed regularly. At the time, I remember Stuart worked at the Potato Shed in Glasgow Central (RIP), which was the perfect exposition for Stuart’s dry, Fife humour. Stuart and Gemma have their own podcast (together with Siobhan Ma), “Can I just say?” - an entertaining dissection of The Apprentice. Stuart also directs “Noising Up”, which I wrote some sketches for recently, so it was nice to meet in person.
Stephen Buchanan’s sketches, from “guy staying budget hotel for the first time” to“old guy giving unnecessary directions” have brought me an inordinate amount of joy. There’s something incredibly endearing - and, as I said in my spoof of “Some Laugh”, loveably quirky - about Stephen’s comedy. I’m a big fan.
Comedy meets art
In October last year I slid into the DMs of one of my favourite Glasgow artists - Libby Walker - with a proposition. I’ve been a long time admirer of Libby’s beautiful illustrations of Glasgow scenes, pubs, parks and shop fronts. Would she be interested in a “West end mum” inspired collaboration? I had seen Libby at one of my gigs (Chris Thorburn’s Drygate Comedy Lab) so thought I’d be in with a chance. I decided to shoot my shot.
Five months later and we’re about to launch Libby’s designs (featuring “Aileen” in a range of comedic West end scenes) at my shows. We have a limited stock of tea towels, postcards, prints, badges and tote bags. Half of my share of profits will go to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Depending on demand, we may get some more to sell online in future.
In the mean time I highly recommend checking out Libby’s work on her website.
Outro
I had an amazing time seeing Sophie Rose-McCabe’s work-in-progress show “Mother Bored” come to fruition last week. The Old Hairdresser’s was packed out (and I spied a famous comedian or two in the audience!). Sophie brought an original hour of hilarity and chaos, as I knew she would.
In food news: I tried that new Mexican place in town, La Masa. It’s very handy for the Old Hairdresser’s and the tacos were delicious. They also did a virgin margarita that was muchos yum.
At the time of writing, I’m in a car, speeding towards England for a wedding.
At the time of your reading this, I will likely be trying to suppress a panic attack, with my debut show in Oran Mor just a few hours away.
Doors open 6pm. Show starts 7pm.
See you on the other side!
Good luck with your show tonight Zara ☮️❤️x