Ian Stone at The Comedy Store

April 2009

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Comedy Central at Highlight preview show
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Highlight Camden

Oh god, there’s a midget dressed as a bloody elf here. That’s the first impression of the show launching Comedy Central’s sponsorship of Christmas nights out at the Highlight clubs, not doing much with the Santa’s little helper gimmick to dispel the chain’s rather unclassy image.

The TV channel, on the other hand, has always had more of a split profile – home to much-lauded gems such as 30 Rock, South Park and Frasier but also the likes of Two And A Half Men and Mike and Molly (it’s funny ’cos they’re fat). However you can understand the marketing appeal of this tie-up to a broadcaster trying to boost its links to comedy. (It’ll probably work better than the current poster campaign, a bleak affair where the biggest words on the billboard are ‘depressing’ and ‘lonely’).

Highlight’s reputation, however, is rooted in it being a magnet for stag, hen and office parties who demand coarse gags; rooms only playable by alpha-comics who’ve developed impenetrable crowd-control techniques at the expense of subtlety. There’s certainly some truth in that, but it’s only half the story. as the best comedians can handle troublesome rooms without plunging straight towards appeasing the lowest common denominator.

Ian Stone, compering tonight, is one such performer, playing with obvious stereotypes about his Jewish nose or German efficiency, but creating smart, unpredictable jokes on the subjects. There’s no dumbing-down, but an assumption people know broadly what’s in the news, such as the much-vaunted Australian ‘points system’ for immigration, which is given a deft punchline. He has the authority over the room, too, with some quick-witted banter not getting quite the reaction it deserved, but certainly earning him kudos amid this specially-invited audience.

He also ploughed through the almost untenable position of entertaining an uninterested crowd between the two acts, when an interval was clearly called for. Instead he absorbed the hubbub of drinks orders and toilet breaks with good humour, settling the room as quickly as he could.

Opening the night, Kerry Godliman exuded a similar unshakeable confidence, with an unpretentious charm and easy likeability. Her persona is that of the feckless mother, with a grudgingly sarcastic approach to life. There’s a slight tendency to head below the belt for a punchline, especially early in the routine, before she’s established herself. Plus her set piece about applying small-print advert disclaimers to everyday situations is an old idea.

But her tired grouchiness is an appealing persona in which to wrap he astute observations, while she gets to push a few provocative buttons for both genders with her playful comments about women’s emotional over-reactions and hysterical Bridezillas. It makes for a winning act, despite the occasion transgressions.

Rudi Lickwood is the other way around, with a set full of easy jokes with the occasional hint of something more interesting. Perhaps he’s learnt that he doesn’t have to try particularly hard, as simply saying ‘Lidl food is shit,’ draws a laugh – so why bust a gut with anything deeper.

So we get the boring, hack line about suicide bombers and the 72 virgins they are promised, quips about the budget airline that should probably be rechristened EasyJoke given how often comics turn to it, the strikingly unoriginal observation that ‘Prince Charles married a horse’ and even the old joke about ‘If I could put my head between my knees…’ all done with but with little flair.

There’s so much more he could do. The idea that he suddenly found out he had a 28-year-old daughter when the Child Support Agency caught up with him is full of promise, though it is reduced to a lascivious comment about ogling her mates. But his succinct take on what it really means to be British is memorably done.

He has plenty of personality and warmth; but needs stronger writing to back it up. He joked about desperately pitching to get a Comedy Central special, as if this was the States, but such overfamiliar material won’t set him far enough apart from the crowd for that.

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Ian Stone headlined at Tabernacle Junction in Yeovil (not an easy audience) and he was utterly brilliant. If you get the chance to see him cancel all engagements and go. You will have to go a long way to find a better stand up. Five star entertainment.

steve hodgson, August 2011

Saw Ian last night at the Comedy Store, London. I have never been a huge fan before last night, but he was awesome. Intelligent, observational humour delivered with a fantastic energy. Definitely go and see him. He is a genius!

Chris, August 2010

Just seen Ian at Havana in St Albans - what an utter treat - blown away by his talent and energy - thanks for a fantastic uplifting night out!

Jayne, April 2010

Get a grip...The job of a comedian is to sometimes push the boundries of taste. The fact that as a jew he can laugh at himself says it all. Have seen him twice and would def see him again. Talentless creep he is not and maybe before coming out with such rubbish spare a thought to how hard it is to stand up in front of a room of complete strangers and try to make them laugh! If you want safe comedy try Terry and June on Gold.

Bubble33, February 2010

Solid stand up tackling things in a self deprecating witty manner.

Sarah, February 2010

Ian Stone is a genius. Go see him now.

Ryan Fryer, May 2009

Dull & unlikeble. Brave topics, but comes across as only on stage to satisfy his own ego.

ns, September 2008

If Lennie Bruce, Woody Allen and Alexei Sayle had taken heed of the 'offensive' tag, they'd've gotten a job in accountancy. Ian's not a Nazi, he's a damn fine comic with the bile and the style to delve into those areas most of us shy away from. Whaadayawant, 'Terry and June' reruns?

Michael Monkhouse, March 2008

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