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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 used to hate Stewart Lee back in the Fist Of Fun days, he came across as smug and just wasn't funny enough, I'm pleased to say that my opinion has changed and I now really enjoy his work. The second series of Comedy Vehicle was great. Now that Thatcher's croaked I'll soon have no one left to hate.

Ian, April 2013

I totally agree with Douglas. I wasn't at Eden Court Theatre on Sunday 13th May but I was at The Lowry in Salford on Sunday 29th April. It's about time Stewart Lee started to put a bit of thought into his material. He obviously doesn't know what he is doing and doesn't care less about structure, content and style. He lacks any artistic integrity whatsoever. It's almost as if HE IS DOING IT ON PURPOSE! Maybe when he has a little more experience on the road, he will start to understand how audiences perceive his work and adapt accordingly.

Andy, June 2012

Stewart Lee at Eden Court Theatre Inverness, Sunday 13th May. Explaining what style of humour he delivers to his audience, does not bode well? Does he think average audience's IQ doesn't exceed beyond double figures, and bemoaned the fact attendance at his gig had decreased since last here. It's an indication people in the North of Scotland are a little more discriminating, that includes what is classed as humour no matter how you dress it up! Gig only seemed to come alive! last half hour or so, before that seemed a bit disjointed and lacked material to brighten up a dull Sunday in the Highland Capital. Should there be a third encounter at Eden Court will have to put a little more thought into material for his tour.

Douglas Thomson, May 2012

Saw Carpet Remnant World at the Lowry, especially liked the bit when Mr Lee said 'dog' in a funny voice. I don't think that, i think the opposite of that. amazing, funny from beginning to to end, his best work yet!

joel, May 2012

I, like Andy have had my void filled by Stewart Lee. Well, rather that that a Catholic Priest filling it with HIS spirituality. Stewart Lee has risen.

Luke, April 2012

After much deliberation, I recently renounced my faith in Jesus Christ. Although liberated from Catholic guilt and superstition, I was, admittedly, left with a spiritual void. Then I discovered the life and works of Stewart Lee. Void filled. I no longer fear death.

Andy, April 2012

I like Stewart Lee a lot.

PJESE Williams, March 2012

I saw Stewart Lee at the Philharmonic on Saturday night, what a shambolic show. I was told he had won a comedy award, which is why I got tickets, how ? He didn't have a script/routine and just kept repeating phrases, like "jungle rope bridges"! They even got his entrance music wrong. The only bit that was nearly funny was when he injected a bit of energy into the show and started to bounce around the stage , there is nothing funnier than a portly man in a suit/frock coat running but he was so out of breath that he bumbled his lines, if there were any? and it just petered out. This chap needs to go back to the basics and if I might be so bold he should get himself a catchphrase " start the car" etc This might be a harsh and I am conscious he might be having some sort of breakdown, which given what he says about his wretched life it would be possible, so I'll say no more.

Mr Morris, March 2012

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