Dancing to Get Happy

Let's Dance For Sport Relief 2012

More Ava Vidal videos

Started stand-up in 2003, becoming a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Awards and the Hackney Empire new act competition (where she came third) within a year. In 2004,she was one of the six stand-up housemates in E4/C4\'s Kings Of Comedy show. In 2007, she was selected to take part in NBC\'s Last Comic Standing after taking part in the London audition, but was unable to take part in the American legs of the show after encountering visa problems.

Kempinska's opening night
Live Review
Kempinska's

Jongleurs founder Maria Kempinska has opened more than her fair share of comedy nights in her time, but never, until now, a venue under her own name.

Kempinska’s is more low-key than some of the more raucous venues her company often operates in: a minimalist basement bar in central London with plain walls and a smallish stage in one corner, aimed at wooing the moneyed City types who work nearby rather than the drinking-and-clubbing crowd.

Five Jongleurs circuit regulars, plus compere Geoff Norcott and a couple of musical acts, opened the venue at a preview night last week in front of an invited audience, each performing just eight minutes.

We started with Joe Rowntree, who’s one of those comics who does exactly what’s expected, with slightly blokey, slightly rude observational material, delivered confidently. It’s very safe – reassuring for bookers who want to serve up exactly what a casual audience expect stand-ups to talk about, but leaving him struggling to stand out or inject much personality into his set.

At one point, though, he does launch into something surprising – a surreal off-the-wall rant that seems to come from nowhere, shaking his routine from its complacency, and even topped with a decent punchline, not just weird for it’s own sake. It’s a nice moment, but sadly out-of character.

Built like brick outhouse, Colin Cole grabbed the audience’s attention more conclusively, grabbing lots of laughs from short, punchy gags. Unfortunately, though, they have all either been told before, or so predictable that you could fill in the punchlines yourself. His keen sense of rhythm seems wasted on this pub-gag material – like one of the old-school comedians from the Seventies.

His obsession with midgets gives him some easy gags, but he also strays into much less edifying territory, when he simply invites the audience to laugh at the silly way the little people walk. Ha! Ha! Look at the idiots with their disabilities!

Over the past couple of years arch cabaret duo Topping and Butch have undergone a makeover, switching garb from S&M to M&S – or, more likely, an even sharper gentleman’s outfitter. Though they’ve lost an obvious gimmick, the smarter look better befits the elegant camp of their song parodies.

There’s nothing new in what they are doing, but their cheek and charm is irresistibly winning, with Butch playing up the innocent and Topping the devilish influence leading him astray. Here they wisely chose to lots of short bursts of songs, getting in and out with the gags without outstaying their welcome with a full verse.

The one longer number they did tackle, a dirty version of I Dreamed A Dream, did show up it’s formulaic roots a little more – though the ‘prompting’ device was a nice touch, the filth enjoyable and Butch’s singing voice impressive. Susan Boyle, pah!

After the showmanship (and an interval), the more relaxed delivery of Ava Vidal draws the audience in, and they hush to listen to her withering put-downs – aimed at her own children. The punchlines are strong and although she knows it’s wrong to say such evil things about her own flesh and blood, she’s not apologetic, but invites the audience to share her guilty pleasure at getting the frustrations off her chest. Finally Kev Orkian, who proved the clear audience favourite of the night – thanks in no small measure to his comedy Armenian accent. Laughs come from his tale about being a poor and naive immigrant, exploited but too simple to realise it. The style is a little old-fashioned – especially in his portrayal of effeminate gay men – but its a nice story, and Orkian’s wide-eyed persona engenders empathy.

But his greatest skill is music. He’s a brilliant boogie-woogie piano player, and gets the crowd going with some call-and-response, and a virtuoso demonstration of his quick fingers. It’s not funny – but it’s very entertaining.

Skip to page: 1 | 2

I thought Ava won the London audition of Last Comic Standing... What happened? Am I wrong?

Tory, July 2007

I saw Ava's show in Edinburgh. She isfabulous. Ava is a breath of fresh air - she is smart and upfront without the usual egomania that goes with most comics. When is she going to get her chance on telly?

Susie, August 2006

I saw Ava's documentary on TV today and wanted to say, good on ya girl, you are certainly an inspiration and your children should be proud of you. All the best for the future.

Tanya, May 2006

I saw Ava for the first time last Saturday at The Bearcat Club. She was hilarious! She is totally at ease on stage and dealt with hecklers using wit and charm. She had the whole club rolling in the aisles. She appeals to both men and women and I am looking forward to seeing her again.

Emma H, March 2006

An extremely funny and accomplished act who has developed at a tremendous pace in the three years since this review was written. Any promoter would love to have an act like Ava on the bill, one who is immensely capable, reliable and above all superbly funny.

James D'Chapeau, February 2006

Absolutely dire. I agree with another poster that said she would make a good TV presenter. However, she seems to be doing okay on the back of the single black female ticket, so why not work it? For my advice if that's what you want, spend your money on Gina Yashere Sean 23.07.05

Sean, July 2005

Makes me laugh. Sassy with it Dave Kirby 09.05.05

Dave Kirby, May 2005

I just watched a Channel 4 programme on Ava, and felt impressed to immediately go and log on and write some comments here. I too am a black woman in transition, with presence, wit and charisma. Donna Franklin 09.05.05

Donna Franklin, May 2005

Skip to page: 1 | 2