On pub nicknames

At the 2012 Leicester Comedy Festival preview

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Live Review

Great show, proper stand up, honest straightforward and balls-out funny, Chris McCausland has nailed this year’s Edinburgh show. 

He’s disarmingly honest about the catch-all title and poster design, which he had to dream up months before he a notion of what the show is about.  Because it’s a festival show he’s tacked on a message bit, but it’s so tongue-in-cheek (nature of time, blah blah) that it doesn’t impede your enjoyment of some rattling good storytelling and punchy comedy. 

By being so open about how a show is cobbled together – and he’s not the only one to do it ­– he has you onside immediately.  He talks about what he thinks he’s supposed to do (have a high concept) but, in fact, this is just excellent stand-up without gimmicks. 

He covers some pretty old standards of Scouse stereotyping, fundamental differences between men and women which show up in relationships, middle class and working class lifestyles how Brits struggle in the heat, like a bargain and a beer, but it’s all got a fresh and personal twist on it. 

He deploys the full range of snappy short jokes and has a glorious bit of storytelling  about a gallery bedroom where his eloquence and phrasing are a total pleasure, reminiscent of Gerard Hoffnung or Bob Newhart, if you’ve ever listened to your parents’ old vinyl or a Radio Four clip show.

This was an hour of real belly-laughs for me.

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Dont know what show the reviewer saw but I saw him couple of days ago and thought the show was brilliant, refreshing, interesting and controversial. Went after reading a five star review so just goes to show how subjective this all is! Was blown away and have been a comedy lover for many years coming up to the festival for years. A must see.

Ben Albukirk, August 2012

Saw Chris at the Leicester Comedy Festival last week and I must say he stole the show for me. Will be keeping an eye (not a pun) for him in the future.

John conners, January 2012

I watched Chris in Dunstable last night. Never laughed so much in ages. Best act of the night. A must see for all.

Andy, March 2011

Seen Chris a few times over the past few years - VERY funny guy! Always got the crowd (and me) in bits. A must see.

Brendan, December 2010

A poor weak act! This was one long twenty minutes. Mr Very Ordinary. Compare and contrast with Steve Day in the disability stakes. Day uses his hearing impairment to devilish effect. Perhaps Chris really does need to show us the world through his eyes?

Stephen Hobbs, January 2010

When he's on a roll he has some excellent material and his routine hangs together really well. There was some wonderful stuff about the perils of lighting a cigarette when drunk. It'll be interesting to see how he develops and whether he puts in the work to refine his performance. Very engaging stage presence with great potential - certainly one to watch.

Stan, May 2007

Competent, affable comedian who seems to fit in very easily with his audience. He has a great down-to-earth manner that belies his disability, to which he only occasionally refers in his set. Worth watching

Alain English, March 2007

Had the pleasure of gigging with Chris last weekend , and he is certainly an affable and extremely funny comic. Tip for the top.

Paul Sinha, January 2007

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