Punchline Recommends: Suzi Ruffell ‘Common’

Words by Christopher Stewart

Suzi Ruffell makes a welcome return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with her new show ‘Common’, and what better way is there than to spend your time in the company of a comedian at the very top of her game?

Suzi has created an excellent hour of comedy around what it is to be working class, with stories ranging from the hilarious to the movingly personal. She delights her audience with a hilarious set, outlining how her background has affected her life, her family and her career. Suzi’s show is delivered with a confidence and zeal that will make you laugh, cringe and, on occasion, perhaps even cry. 

In lesser hands this subject might have descended into cliches of class politics, but instead Suzi Ruffell brings so much more, performing a feel-good show around the importance of accepting and embracing the past. No matter who you are, and whatever your background, Suzi’s comedic skill and assured storytelling will mean you leave this show with a spring in your step having seen one of the very best at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

Suzi Ruffell’s show ‘Common‘ is on at The Mash House, PWYW, throughout the Fringe at 20.20.

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Punchline Recommends: Kiri Pritchard-McLean ‘Hysterical Woman’

Words by Susan Ford

Kiri Pritchard-McLean has performed as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival many times, under the guise of sketch groups and podcast duos, however, new show ‘Hysterical Woman’ is her first solo effort.  Punchline recommends this unmissable show as it is a fantastic hour of comedy and is a set that is beautifully sculpted with jokes. But, we also love it because Kiri brilliantly puts across a plethora of reasons why the stigma of ‘comedienne’ is one that can be abolished at this year’s Festival.

Kiri may not be the first comedian to argue that woman are indeed funny,  but she does put her points across very well through personal anecdotes. As a working comedian, Kiri regularly battles hecklers and bias just for being female, and not just from the crowd, but from other comedians, promoters and media. ‘Hysterical Woman’ shows that Kiri Pritchard-McLean is much more than a “beautiful comedienne”, she is riotously funny, very clever, and a downright magnificent comedian.

Don’t think that by going to Kiri’s new show, you will be getting purely a lecture on ‘female comedian stereotypes’. Think instead, that you will be getting to see one of the funniest people at the Fringe, who knows how to put good points across well. Kiri Pritchard-McLean performs ‘Hysterical Woman‘ at the Pleasance Courtyard throughout the Festival at 18.00. 

Punchline Recommends: Paul McCaffrey ‘Fresh Hell’

Words by Susan Ford

Punchline always recommends the Free Fringe; a show does not need to be ticketed for it to include big names in comedy, or have a jam-packed audience everyday. Paul McCaffrey proves this point, with his 2016 show, as part of the Free Fringe, ‘Fresh Hell’. Paul McCaffrey is a very well known and well liked comedian, so I strongly recommend getting down early to the show in City Cafe to avoid disappointment. Even half an hour early before doors open, there is a huge queue, and people turned away from this gig as it reached its capacity.  But, my goodness is it worth the wait…

Paul McCaffrey is a very funny man, the kind of person who could talk about boiled eggs and have the crowds crying with laughter. Paul is a very rare breed of Edinburgh comedian, the kind of performer who wouldn’t need a hidden theme or strong political message to make himself stand out, instead, purely his laugh-a-minute personality and great anecdotes do the trick. It’s always a pleasure to see Paul perform, and he lets nobody down with his new 2016 show.

Paul McCaffrey is just one of many great performers on the Free Fringe, and is a brilliantly funny comedian, not to be missed this year. Catch Paul McCaffrey’s ‘Fresh Hell‘ at 18.45 throughout the festival at City Cafe.

Punchline Recommends Tez Ilyas ‘Made in Britain’

Words by Susan Ford

Tez Ilyas more than entertained audiences at last year’s Fringe with the highly acclaimed ‘Tez Talks’; but 2016 sees Tez take comedy shows to a whole new level as he presents ‘Made in Britain’. Tez’s style of comedy is completely unique, and enjoyable in so many ways, but this year the highlight and most endearing quality of his writing, has to be the intimacy and honesty that he weaves into the new show.

‘Made in Britain’ is a much more personal insight into the life and mind of a total legend, Tez Ilyas.  Tez grew up in the UK, and uses his hour in the spotlight to highlight the pros, the cons, and the funny side of life in Britain. None of Tez’s anecdotes are to be expected, and not all of them are upbeat, but you can be rest-assured that Tez will make the most heart-wrenching stories a hilarious routine fit for the comedy stage.

There is a real warmth in spending an hour as part of Tez Ilyas’s audience, even when the usually dreaded crowd participation kicks in, you will find yourself itching to be a part of it. Please take the opportunity now to see Tez Ilyas at Peasance Bunker during the Fesival. ‘Made in Britain‘ is on at 17.30 throughout the Edinburgh Fringe.

Thanks Birnam!

 

Jim Smith, Jamie MacDonald, Anna Devitt, Robin Grainger and an awesome audience!

Thank you so much to Birnam Arts for hosting Punchline for the first time!

And a special thanks goes out to everyone who completed the feedback form. We hope you enjoyed your prizes at the interval, and managed to dodge the flying apple!

Our favourite pieces of feedback were how you would sum up Punchline – funniest answers were “Sausage” and “JELLY”. Our favourite tip for improvement was to “do more naked”… we’ll see what we can do 😉

Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2016!

Punchline comes to Birnam this Friday!

Punchline Comedy is back with another exciting comedy lineup!

Having played big Scottish venues such as Usher Hall, HMV Picture House and Perth Concert Hall, the comedy heavyweights return to Perthshire, this time for a very special intimate show at the picturesque Birnam Arts Centre on Friday 9th October.

Defining a generation of new classic comedy, Punchline showcases the rising stars of the comedy circuit before they become household names. Punchline has built up a great reputation of presenting the hottest acts from around the UK, previous shows have included the likes of Frankie Boyle, Josh Widdicombe, Seann Walsh and Nick Helm.

For the first time, Punchline delivers an all Scottish line-up, 3 acts and 1 compere, all hand-picked fresh from this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Headliner ‘That Funny Blind Guy’ Jamie MacDonald: one man, one mic, one white stick. Starring at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Jamie performed at the prestigious Assembly venue with his critically acclaimed show ‘Oblivious’. ‘One of the funniest Scottish comedians on the circuit’ (Sunday Herald), Jamie is fast creating a comedic stir.

Jim Smith is Perthshire’s very own comedy farmer, ‘Scottish Comedian of the Year’ finalist and ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ Finalist. Farmer Jim returns from a sold out Edinburgh Fringe run of his hilarious show ‘Farmed and Dangerous’. Quite literally back on home soil, Jim makes his long awaited stand up debut at Birnam Arts.

Robin Grainger, Laughing Horse Semi-Finalist, was part of the ‘Stand Rising’ showcase show, The Stand Comedy Club’s nod to the rising stars of the future. Robin is funny, original and unforgettable. ‘A confident man who commands the stage’ (Skinny)

From ‘Rab C Nesbitt’ to ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, award-winning comedian and actress Anna Devitt is a well-established comedian and your perfect host. ‘Devitt surely has one hand on the title of female successor to Frankie Boyle’ (Scotsman)

Tickets are selling fast – buy yours now at http://www.birnamarts.com/whats-birnam-arts/?ee=41

Win a case of Ossian Beer & a pair of tickets to the Punchline Comedy Gala at Birnam Arts on 9 October! T&Cs apply

We have teamed up with Inveralmond Brewery to give you the chance to win a case of Ossian Beer & a pair of tickets to the Punchline Comedy Gala at Birnam Arts on 9 October!

All you have to do is tweet @punchlineuk or @inveralmondbeer which comedian you’d take for a beer and where, using the hashtag #BirnamComedy.

Our favourite two answers will win a prize each.

Good luck!

 

 

 

T&Cs

1. Over 18’s only
2. There are two prizes which each consists of 1 case Ossian Beer (12 bottles) and a pair of tickets to the Punchline Comedy Gala at Birnam Arts on 9^th October 2015
3. Entries by 23.59 on Friday 2^nd October 2015
4. Use the hashtag #BirnamComedy to ensure entry to the competition
5. The judges’ favourite two answers will win the competition. Judges’ decision is final
6. The winners will be announced via Twitter on Sunday 4^th October
7. Winners to confirm attendance by 7^th October
8. Beer and tickets to be picked up from Birnam Arts, Dunkeld with valid ID, after the show on 9^th October
9. Any questions can be emailed to laugh@punchline-comedy.com

Punchline Recommends: Iain Stirling ‘Touchy Feely’

Words by Susan Ford

You may recognise Iain Stirling as a children’s TV presenter, or maybe more recently as the voiceover for Love Island: whichever way you’ve known Iain in the past, be sure that by the end of the Fringe you’ll recognise Iain Stirling as one of Scotland’s best comedians. Iain Stirling performs his new show ‘Touchy Feely’ at Pleasance Courtyard through the 2015 Edinburgh Festival.

This is by no means Iain’s first time at the Fringe, he has been performing to Edinburgh audiences for over 3 Years. 2015 sees Iain at his very best, however, Iain has never dipped from being at his best every time he prepares a show for Edinburgh. ‘Touchy Feely’ shows Iain’s well-developed and beautiful experience as a comedian, as he weaves his way through jokes and stories that leave the crowd roaring with laughter throughout.

Iain Stirling doesn’t just tackle the big issues of modern day, but also the smaller ones that affects us all. From fast food horrors to non-drinking friends who like Tupperware, Iain’s show incorporates excellent observations with top-class jokes, making for an utterly brilliant and very, very funny performance.

Catch Iain Stirling’s ‘Touchy Feely‘ at Pleasance Courtyard 19.40.

Punchline Recommends: Kai Humphries ‘How to be Happy’

Words by Susan Ford

Kai Humphries is happy, and he’s spending an hour each night at the Edinburgh Festival sharing with us how we can be just as happy as him. His new show for 2015 ‘How to Be Happy’ is completely infectious, an hour of comedy that will leave you buckled over in laughter, and also emotionally enlightened.

Kai Humphries goes out of his way to find the good in a situation: from parking tickets to bullying, there is nothing that escaped Kai’s positive grasp. Kai’s knack for putting silliness into a bad situation makes the punchlines even better. Just when you think Kai has had a rough time, like he’s finally met his doom, that sparkle appears in his eye and he quickly whips out a fantastic bit of comedy.

If you want to be happy, then spend an hour with Kai Humphries in The Gilded Balloon, at 20.00 throughout the Fringe.

Punchline Recommends: John Hastings ‘Marked From the Start’

Words by Susan Ford

Punchline favourite John Hastings returns to the Festival this year, in a bigger venue with an even bigger show. ‘Marked From the Start’ is a hilarious, yet emotional tale of John’s early years, and how family life in Canada has shaped him into the comedian he is today.

John tells his anecdotes with passion, cleverly incorporating comedy into every story. John finds the funny in everything he does, and shares his imaginative and smart sense of humour with the audience at every turn. ‘Marked From the Start’ is a real insight into John’s own personal life, meaning the comedy it brings with it is very realistic and touching, and makes for a seriously good hour of stand up.

Catch John Hastings ‘Marked From the Start, at 21.40 at Pleasance Courtyard Bunker One.