Review by Toby Hadoke
MARK HAYDEN
Less vitriolic than I've seen him, so top marks for a change in approach. However, if Mark wants
to challenge the audience like the comics he admires (Hicks, Stanhope, etc.) he needs to reel
them in first rather than come out with the bizarre, often sick and unpleasant (all of which can
be funny, but only after you've brought the audience into your zone). I stand by my decision to
allow him the gig, and hope he's learnt from the experience and that he enjoyed it.
SARAH SMART
This girl has talnt and some good material. Alas, her microphone tecnique let her down and added to her nervousness. Still, good to get an iffy gig out of the way and I hope/expect to see her bounce back because she has real potential.
ALAN DONEGAN
Local comic Alan Donegan gave the first section of the show a real dose of quality and assuredness that it desperately needed. A professional job, with a great presence from this consistently improving comic with a winning stage manner. It was probably his best gig at XS Malarkey to date.
Next up onto the XS Malarkey stage was "posh Scouser" Ken Bulger. Ken was excellent as always. Laid back with just the faintest threat of malevolence in his brand of humour. Another act who's just getting better and better. Lovely fella too.
Great fun. For the first time that it had been done I think the odd hesistence can be forgiven - Pete
(as Walken) kept the whole thing together with great style and verve. Alfie displayed incredible
versitility and kept the audience engaged throughout. An experiement that absolutely worked
thanks to
two absolutely class live performers.
A punter came up who'd paid £15 at The Comedy Store on Saturday. He said there was no comparison and that he couldn't believe the variety and quality he got for his meagre entry fee. Hoorah.
Top marks to Lee on sound - he had lots to do and did it well.
Toby.
