Those Wales Adverts

From Live At The Apollo

More Rhod Gilbert videos

A former market researcher, Carmarthen-born Rhod Gilbert began his comedy career in 2002, after taking a stand-up course. That year he made the finals of the So You Think You're Funny? talent hunt at the Edinburgh Fringe, and in the next 12 months won the BBC New Comedy Award, the Paramount Gift Of The Gag competition and the Leicester Comedy Festival comedian of the year title. He was also a Chortle Award nominee for best new act, and runner-up n the Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year contest.

He made his solo Edinburgh debut in 2005 with a show called 1984, describing the misery of growing up in the fictional Welsh town of Llanbobl, whihc was nominated for the Perrier best newcomer award. That year, he also won the Chortle award for best breakthrough act.

His 2008 Edinburgh show again caught the attention of judges and was nominated for the main if.comedy award. It lead to appearances on BBC One's Live at the Apollo stand-up showcase and the 80th Royal Variety Performance.

Gilbert has also appeared on Mock The Week, and he hosts a Saturday-morning show on BBC Radio Wales. In late 2008, he fronted a series of adverts to promote Welsh tourism.

Rhod Gilbert And The Cat That Looked Like Nicholas Lyndhurst - Fringe 2009
Live Review

Rhod Gilbert is back after his if.comedy nomination: one year older, one year more mature, one year more mellow.

Is he heck.

He is, as ever, mad as hell and not going to take it any more; a man driven to the brink of breakdown by all life’s infuriations that are conspiring to bring him down. After mince pies and duvets last year, now it’s Hoovers, washing machines and Innocent smoothies that are the agents of the devil – as well as reviewers who dare suggest that the all-consuming troubles which vex him are anything but mighty problems.

Gilbert takes observational comedy to whole new levels. It’s not just ‘what’s the deal with no-bio washing powder’, but he obsesses and obsesses about the very idea, over-analysing it and becoming increasingly desperate for answers, and frustrated when they don’t come.

The starting points are brilliantly accurate, but it’s the maelstrom of angst he whips up around them that sweep you up, thanks to the powerful, passionate performance big enough to fill the larger venues Gilbert is increasingly playing.

Scarily intense, he’s keen to reassure himself it’s not just him who gets angry at such annoyances, pleading: ‘You are on my side, aren’t you?’ as he sinks ever-deeper into the mire of fixation. It builds a bond that helps get over a couple of the more unlikely leaps into insanity.

The show – whose title is too esoteric to go into here - is also magnificently structured. What appears like a series of madman’s manic rants are gradually given meaning, as Gilbert’s more deep-seated psychological problems become apparent, revealing the source of his Intermittent Explosive Disorder. If stand-up is therapy, we certainly make progress in this session.

We start with a bit of lightweight Wales-based banter and a recap of last year’s gripes, and along the way learn about the flight-or-fight mechanism – the only bit of the show that does feel tacked on to the main thrust, callbacks notwithstanding – before the rage cranks up to vein-popping levels.

But rarely has fury been so audacious – or so funny.

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Saw at St Albans this week,travelled from the midlands and was well worth the risk of ice and snow! Enjoyed the warm up and Rhod had me and my wife in stitches. Not seen him live before and will definitely see again. Great night out.

Nick Stephens, December 2010

Saw the show tonight at St Albans Arena. Hilarious, should be available on prescription!

Pam Rowland, November 2010

Rhod at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness - 24th November. The audience was already fired up!, with Lloyd as support. An excellent atmosphere in the crowd that night, best so far this year for a comedian. Rhod didn't disappoint, you know what he's going to deliver, but to witness him perform live on stage, is brilliant! I can see why he has a permanently hoarse voice,non-stop for about two hours! His vocal chord's having ran the equivalent of a marathon. His banter with hecklers, drunk/sober was good humoured. Inverness audience went home contented knowing Rhod put in a vocal/physica 'tour de force' of a performance. I'm sure Rhod enjoyed himself in the Highland capital. Many thanks for coming this far North.

Douglas Thomson, November 2010

Worst live stand up I have ever seen. Saw him in Aberdeen on 25th of Nov 2010, appears he was having an off night. Show filled with self indulgent rants, mainly defending the (what seems like) justified criticism in the press. That and dwell on interacting with members of the audience, which proved to be not only completely uninteresting but also a way of spinning out his show. He appeared to be really struggling to produce any form of new material or any material what so ever. Seen him at his best on live at the Apollo, think he is proving to be spent. We walked out en mass after he spent 5 minutes justifying how s*** his year was in comparison to a women in the audience whose thyroid operation went wrong. Cringing and very disapointing. Support act also ranted in a similar negative ‘life is cr**” fashion. Poor all round. Save your pennies, refund or sell on if you have tickets in hand!

james, November 2010

Saw Rhod last in Wolverhampton, my cheeks were aching i was laughing that much! Can't wait to see him again, and it was brilliant to have Lloyd as the warm up act.

Claire Simpson, November 2010

Saw Rhod last night at The Dome in Doncaster and he was amazing, a must see.

John, November 2010

Saw Rhod at the Apollo earlier this year; although i really like his material the show went on for too long and the break in the middle diminished the flow; wasn't crying with laughter, some really good bits but some low spots as well. A solid hour would have been fantastic, nearly two hours...well, not so good.

Nik Hill, May 2010

Had to go to Kings Lynn to see him again, the first time I was him in Lowestoft I missed half the show because of crying with laughter. After the show he was warm and friendly and nothing was to much trouble for him. Wish he would come to Norwich

James C, April 2010

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