At Chortle Fast Fringe 2010

Preview of his show Fabbrications

More Michael Fabbri videos

Nominated for best club comic in the 2012 Chortle awards

Minkley’s Night of Mirth 3
Live Review
Brighton Komedia

Ed Moore

It was a line-up many big charity benefits would envy – certainly enough to easily sell out Brighton’s Komedia.

Minkley’s Night of Mirth was the third such fundraiser in aid of The Samaritans and in memory of Oliver Minkley, a local musician and new-act comic who took his own life in 2010.

The biggest draw would surely have been Stewart Lee, here trying out material for the next series of his Comedy Vehicle on BBC Two. And if this set is anything to go by, he’s developing a more political edge, subjecting the party leaders and the entire system and its ‘illusion of dissent’ under the same intense, sarcastic scrutiny he’s previously applied to his fellow comics. Not that comedy itself escapes entirely, with the usual analysis of his own gags, and a typically iconoclastic attack on Bill Hicks, slaying a sacred cow many of his own followers will hold dear.

Lee was preceded by Rob Beckett, heavy on the ‘be lucky’ Sarf London patter, and ever-affable compere Ed Gamble, who couldn’t have been left in any doubt he was playing Brighton after engaging with one front-row punter who’s job was making windchimes, and another who worked in a chichi vegetarian coffee shop cutesily titled Wai Kika Moo Kau. [Why Kick A Moo Cow].

The second section was dominated by comedy hip-hop. Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, reimagining hits from the second summer of love with his ukulele and cut-glass accent proved the perfect entertainment for a crowd who surely still remembered those happy rave days, but now prefer to sit down for their nights out. Abandoman also featured, with their ever-crowd-pleasing improvised rap What’s In Your Pocket? and a mini-epic based on the lives of two audience members. The stand-up pastrami in this rap sandwich was Michael Fabbri, incredulously puzzled about how a world he doesn’t quite fit into, could possibly function. Smug grammar Nazis, ITV schedulers or unchivalrous pornographers are among those he just doesn’t quite understand.

Kicking off part three, Nick Helm, fresh from the announcement that he’s to star in his own BBC Three series, didn’t quite behave with the decorum that a representative of Her Majesty’s broadcaster should. Few are as expert at exposing the raw desperation of stand-up as him, barking his dubious jokes with such raw aggression right into the faces of the terrified front row, thirsting for their approval and even love. His typically full-on finale was a visceral overload that closing act Mark Watson, with his amiable commentary of life, found some difficulty in following.

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Absolutely brilliant closing in Palmers Green recently. Superb writing and able to tag so many jokes from excellent set-ups.

Paul, February 2012

Saw Michael at Crack Comedy Wimbledon last Saturday. Was the best comedian on the night (included some very famous comics), and he had me doubled over with laughter on more than one occasion. This guy deserves to be on TV!

Bill, December 2011

Saw Michael at Woking New Victoria Theatre last night supporting Micky Flanagan. Hubby and I are real comedy groupies and probably go to a comedy gig once a week and have seen nearly 200. We were really impressed with Michael - his set was excellent, possibly one of the best and original acts we've seen and who gave us real belly laughs. Highly recommended! Keep up the good work!

Debbie Wythe, February 2011

Saw Michael at Woking New Victoria Theatre last night supporting Micky Flanagan. Hubby and I are real comedy groupies and travel far and wide for it. We probably go to a comedy gig once a week and have seen nearly 200 diferent comedians over the last few years. I have to say that we were really impressed with Michael. We genuinely thought his set was excellent - possibly one of the best and original acts we've seen and who gave us real belly laughs! Highly recommended! Keep up the good work!

Debbie Wythe, February 2011

Saw MF at Komedia in bath last night what a funny bloke best comedian by far

l knight, January 2011

By the far the funniest comic on the bill when we saw him at the glee club in Birmingham (as one heckler pointed out to the poor guy who tried to follow him). Very few people make me laugh out loud but he really had the whole audience howling.

Rachel, July 2010

Just seen Michael in Exeter tonight. Brilliant. Had me crying several times. Best comedian by a long way on the night.

Andy Jones, February 2010

Yes, an accomplished intelligent comedian here. However, he does need to lose the rather crass menstruation material. Will blokes never learn? That apart, the best "new comedian" I've seen in a while.

Stephen Hobbs, January 2010

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