Reasons for divorce

Edinburgh 2008

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Nominated for best headliner in the 2008 Chortle awards.

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Glenn Wool: No Lands' Man
Live Review

It’s possibly the biggest topic in comedy: having a digit shoved up your anus. Between diagnostic medicine, sexual experimentation and – in Glenn Wool’s case – overzealous border guards, it’s hard to keep track of how many male stand-ups have found themselves in this predicament.

But finding himself butt-naked in an tiny room in an Indonesian airport, an occupational hazard when you resemble a member of a ‘Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band’, Wool was not humiliated, but smug, as, in the very moment the official snapped his glove into place, happy memory flickered across his mind. For the purposes of this triumphant UK comeback, Wool puts up a few suggestions of what fond recollection could have hit him at that moment.

Yes, as a framing device it’s hardly the most elegant, but when you’ve got an arsenal of road stories as devastatingly hilarious as these, to hell with structure. These are the highlights from the two years since he was last here, when he left in a bid to crack America. But he also got around the globe quite a bit in the intervening months.

Of course, being a comedian grants certain perks, like getting a stage pass to an Iron Maiden concert or – surely equally as awesome – a VIP after-hours admissions to the Napier aquarium in New Zealand.

Wool is a superlative storyteller; and lest you think that means a quietly whimsical geek speaking quietly of romanticised yarns, think again. Wool is a big, forthright, Canadian bear of a man with the sort of bold yarns that could be barked out after a gallon of beer in an isolated bikers’ pub. But, to counter that, they are told with a subversive playfulness, a winning dollop of self-deprecation and goggle-eyed incredulity. With his rock-and-roll charisma exerting perfect control, and perfect sense of comic phrasing in his yarns, Wool has a potent combination.

Much of the material is, as he happily admits, the sort of stuff that’s kept him off the Michael McIntyre roadshow. But although the content can be strong, it’s also way more nuanced than just heading for the worst. The only thing that doesn’t quite work out is him pondering whether to help semi-aquatic rodents in trouble, though it did open the door for more gruesomely memorable images from the animal world.

Away from the core yarns, Wool has some strong gags on American stereotyping, Osama Bin Laden, ‘appropriate vagina euphemisms’ and, with hilarious stupidity, his ad-hoc attempt to make up a language.

All in all, No Lands’ Man goes to cement Wool’s reputation as one of the premiership players on the world comedy stage. Even if he never did crack America, Hollywood’s loss is our gain.

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Glenn was once again awesome at the Comedy Carnival in Dublin yesterday,it was probably a bad idea for the organisers to put Glenn on with Steve Hughes,as this was undoubtedly the best line up over the four days, there was no need to go see anyone else. Cheers guys,come back soon.

Richy C, July 2010

Saw Glenn live for the first time on Saturday, having been a big fan of his various Youtube clips. Absolutely did not disappoint, his material on failed Al Qaeda bombings in the UK and visiting Alcoholics Anonymous are quite simply some of the best routines you'll see on the current live circuit. Honest, incisive, witty, cutting and deeply intelligent, there is simply no excuse not to see this act.

Simon McEvoy, October 2008

***** If you don't leave his show with a smile on your face call the Samaritans immediately. So warm, so funny and one of my favourite acts.

Ben Mumford, August 2008

Glenn was in Worcester last night. Really poor turn out. Didn't matter one bit. He was hilarious. Seriously funny man. Genius.

Steve Strong, March 2008

I saw Glenn last week. I liked his moustache. Good. He is affable and compelling. But I didn't laugh all that much. Found all the AA stuff a bit old and droopy. Felt like a lot of laughs came from 'ey up, here's a fella after our own drinking 'earts lads'. I imagine it goes down well in Jongleurs. But I was hoping for something more original, particularly after the review here on Chortle. Maybe when I see him do a longer set I'll notice less the elbowing laddishness and I'll see more of the cutting scathing religious stuff...

Lisa Harris, February 2008

My oh my, this comedian sounds incredible. How can some one get their hands on one of his DVDs? Word on the street is that it can be ordered over the internet from his website.

glenn woolberg, January 2008

Saw Glenn at Sabotage last night, thought he was funnier than Stewart Lee, which is a pretty good accolade considering Lee's stand-up pedigree. It was his Edinbrough gig that he performed and his delivery was far from polished, but once he gets the routine down perfectly I am sure he will be a massive hit at the festival.

Chris Smith, July 2007

We saw Glenn headlining Old Rope while warming up for a gig in the US. Having seen quite a few comics in recent months Glenn stands out by a mile as the best. He did a 40 minute set which was fantastic from start to finish. Stylistically he's a like a laid back Bill Hicks, hilarious and with the capacity to surprise and appal in equal measures. He was In total control of his performance and his material. This guy looks like he's got the talent to become a huge comic. Catch him while you can.

Dan, May 2007

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