Don't Make Us Pray For Rain

Cricket World Cup 2007 anthem written with John Ryan

More Steve Gribbin videos

From 1984 to 1993, Steve Gribbin was half of the political musical comedy duo Skint Video, alongside Brian Mulligan. They appeared on TV shows including Saturday Live and Cabaret At Jongleurs and The Mary Whitehouse Experience on radio.

Since then, the 5ft 4in Scouse exile, lapsed Catholic, socialist, Liverpool FC fan has become a solo stalwart of the comedy circuit, and is a permanent member of The Cutting Edge topical show at the London Comedy Store.

He has also performed two full-length one-man shows at the Edinburgh Festival, Natural Born Kidder in 1995 and I'm Turning Into My Dad! in 1999.

Steve Gribbin: Fringe 2012
Live Review
Stand 3 and 4

Edinburgh is not a nice place when wet, and possibly the only place in the world where you can see a man in a wombat suit walking dejectedly up the street. I soaked, cold, and wanted something to hate and luckily veteran Steve Gribbin presents a series of targets from bankers to royals and takes them down in turn.

Gribbin’s popcorn political gibes are in the same vein as Mock The Week, great for a harmless laugh without delving too deeply. A musical comedian at heart, his 'scabrous songs' are mostly parodies of hits with suitably reworked lyrics that pleasingly never outlive the joke.

It feels like a show that works best with a large room of left-wing libertarians who enjoy satire, folk music, and Tory trashing. Despite being an indoor show it was effectively rained off with jutst three audience members, all of whom flatly refused to join in any singalongs – but Gribbin coped admirably, powering through the set without skipping a beat.

The premise is Gribbin is sick of it all and has decided to declare independence and form his own nation. He goes through all the prerequisites such as flags, anthems, songs, and border control explaining his choices and taking punches at Europe, foreign policy, banking, and anything else in the news.

A solid structure, with musical interludes and a fair roster of targets to bash. Gribbin has a good voice, and sharp lyrics. He's no Tim Minchin or even the Amateur Transplants but if you appreciate music, wit, and social commentary you won't be disappointed.

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Fantastic!

Libby Gardener, October 2011

It's October, time to leave the World Cup material behind. It's also 2010, time to leave the 1970s style act behind.As for using the "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah" song as a basis for parody - I think you can see where this is going...

Paul Roff, October 2010

One of the best on the circuit

marg, July 2010

Top bloke with a top act. I must have seen Skint Video 20 times over the course of 1985. Steve still has what it takes.

Riera, March 2010

God. Awful. I was almost in actual physical pain watching his mercifully short set. Barely a titter from the audience. Like an embarassing dad who insists on telling people jokes and convinced he's hilarious.

Nic, February 2010

Weakest act I have ever seen, avoid!

Seneca Oluchi, March 2009

We saw Steve in Halifax, he was on fire (not literally) Held the audiences attention for well over the scheduled time. The gags, mimes, puns and songs were kept the room entertained. Let me tell you that is no easy task in West Yorkshire - we demand high standards and value for money. Steve undoubdtedly produced the goods. Even to the extent that I bought his CD.

Jason Bell, December 2006

Saw him as part of the Cutting Edge team at the Comedy Store last night. Clearly the weak link by a long shot. Had to resort to swearing profusely and getting angry. Occasionally funny with his songs, but when told to tell jokes on the current affairs topic 'obesity' all he could come up with was "I'm only this fat because everytime I shag your mum she gives me a pie". Absolutely awful.

David Stubbings, September 2006

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