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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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I saw him yesterday and laughed my nuts off. The show was brilliant and Stewart has to be one of the most intelligent comics I have seen, with a great ability to hold the stage and everyone's focus for the entire show.

Andrew C., March 2008

Just fabulous. The criticisms here are pretty funny too, i.e: "Make me laugh comedy man, but do it in a way so that I don't have to think about it, or engage my brain in any way whatsoever!"

Alice, March 2008

Amazing, there are actually people who don't like him! Well, they are idiots. He's probably the best standup there is.

Col, March 2008

Stewart Lee is a comedy legend, his timing and delivery is second to none while his subject matter is thoughtful unique and imaginative. Plus he lampoons the Capt'n Jack wanabee xxxx jockey that is Russell Brand. Thanks Stewart for putting on a top show in Buxton even if the turnout was disappointingly low, you still went down a storm.

Geoff, March 2008

Stewart Lee is a master of his own unique comic style, uncomfortable and often cringeworthy but undoubtedly brilliant. not everyone will 'get' his jokes but thats not what he's about, perhaps 'the thinking man/womans comic'?

Ricky Glew, March 2008

Oh dear. If this guy is the 41st best comedian in the world ever then that pretty much lands everyone else ranked lower than him in the shitter. He really is terrible. Saw him in Buxton last night and have never heard so much pity laughter from an audience. Think everyone was just really trying to enjoy the show as we'd all bought tickets. He only seemed to have four jokes, each one was repeated when it didn't get the laugh he was hoping for the first time around.

Matt, March 2008

Watching Stewart Lee's set is just like watching a nuclear reactor being assembled; not everyone will approve of it, many of people won't understand it, but those with even the slightest glimmer of understanding can't deny that's it's undeniably brilliant, extremely well thought out, and incredibly powerful. It's also pant-wettingly hilarious, but that's where the metaphor breaks down...

Dean, February 2008

Absolutely awful.Who voted this guy into 41st. Had the misfortune to see at Hereford on Feb 2

colin the courtyard king, February 2008

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