Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow - BBC One

June 2009

More Tom Stade videos

Bought up in the backwoods of British Columbia Tom Stade earned his comedy stripes in Canada, where he recorded his own one-hour TV special Stade And Confused for the Comedy Network.

Now largely based in the UK, he is a circuit stalwart who has appeared on stand-up shows The Comedy Store , The Live Floor Show and The World Stands Up .

He made his Edinburgh Fringe debut in 2006 with the show And Relax.

Tom Stade: What Year Was That? in London
Live Review
Leicester Square Theatre

Tom Stade might not be that familiar a name – a McIntryre Roadshow and a couple of other stand-up slots is pretty much all he has on his televisual CV – but that he can play three nights to decent-sized houses at the Leicester Square Theatre should provide heartening proof that quality will always find its audience.

For almost a decade as a stalwart of the British circuit, this audacious, cheeky and sarcastic Canadian has built up a formidable repertoire, epitomised by harsh jokes which he justifies by sophisticated arguments. That way he should appeal to both those seeking the sick, and those seeking the insightful – though they are not always mutually exclusive demographics.

Half of his set is personal; a front-line report from a man deeply embedded in a 16-year relationship, where passionate romance has long been replaced by placid, soul-sapping acceptance. He feels trapped, with his dreams sacrificed and his sex life almost tragic. It makes him bitterly frustrated, which erupts in raw gags that cut very close to the bone. Some of the chuckles are surely bitter laughs of recognition.

On the face of it, he is discussing those most well-worn of ‘men are from Mars…’ topics, complaining, for example, that women talk too much. Yet he approaches with such a fresh angle – a unique theory as to why this might be that has a ring of plausibility – that the gives the routine a real edge.

The same is true of other topics. Fat Americans, airport security and shopping at Primark might be the set list of any lazy McHack comedian, yet Stade creeps up on such topics from the undergrowth, rather that taking the well-worn path to their front door.

His disarmingly charming approach goes a long way, too. When he teeters along the edge of taste and decency – which he so often does – it’s with a snigger in his voice at how naughty he’s being, making his mischievous little gags about Islam or Third World famine.

Some would say this is no ground for comedy, but Stade is unapologetic about the fact that he’s just saying things that amuse him, sometimes precisely because they are verboten.

Another technique – which gives this show his title – is to assume one front-row punter is an age-old friend, Jimmy’, who’s been on many adventures with him. ‘When we went to Somalia, what year was that?’ he prompts, seeking confirmation his tall tales. Even if tonight’s Jimmy was a little slow on the uptake about what was required of him; that provides more laughs. The technique also provides Slade with an instant scapegoat, putting any dubious material on to poor Jimmy’s shoulders.

But when it comes to taking the credit for a bold, brilliantly-written show that forever teases the audience’s expecatations, Stade shouldn’t have to share the plaudits with anybody. This is a genuinely classy, genuinely funny show from a slick pro.

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So bad in Bristol that we had to leave early.

Marga, May 2013

Saw Tom for the first time this year, he's hilarious. Had us belly laughing. He's a natural. Can't wait to see him again.

Becky., October 2012

At that same show in Birmingham and it was one of the funniest show I'd ever seen. I didn't get Tom hates women at all. He just talked about being married. And from what I saw everybody was loving it men and women. Like all comedy at least I can see the exaggeration. Long live Heroin Jimmy!!

Sarah, May 2012

Saw him at Birmingham Glee club (which is a great club!): he really comes across like he hates women. That's a tired thing to say but he only interacted with men in the audience and 90 per cent of his act was the theme of women destroying their partners' lives. I see a lot of comedy and have no problem with 'men vs women' stuff but this was way, way too much... it got boring, essentially. It doesn't take any great originality or observation to bang on and on about women not allowing their partners to speak or make decisions... He's clearly a clever bloke and when he moved on to other topics he was funny, so it's a pity. He needs new material maybe

Brummagem, May 2012

Saw him in Barnsley on a bill with Abi Roberts and Bob Mills - all three absolutely ripped it but Stade really was top notch - excellent delivery, fine material and an almost Bill Hicks-Esque style about him.

Incubus2011, December 2011

Just got back from a trip to Manchester where we saw Tom. Seen him before a few times around London and like his shows, this was the best ever, he had us howling with laughter. We have seen probably most of the best but this was the funniest show we think we have ever been to.

David Shaw, November 2011

Tom Stade at Worcester Huntington Hall had both good and bad elements. Tom is a very funny man, that has to be said, however having followed him on the circuit for a while I fear he has become a lazy comic who is just reworking old material from his 2008 blue album. I did laugh out loud but was excited at the prospect of hearing new material, of which we never got. Tom does make me laugh but it was a mix of enjoyment and disappointment.

melanie ford, September 2011

Tom Stade at the Ironworks Inverness was both good and bad experience. Good to see him live, and he made the audience laugh . Bad because he said nothing new in his act, tried and tested on TV over the past year and more. It's testament to his skill as a comedian that it still made me laugh all the same. It seems once a comedian gets established like Tom, they get a bit complacent in their attitude to their audience.I wouldn't hesitate about going to see Tom Stade again despite my criticism - he enjoys his chosen vocation, it transfers to his audience and it shows.

Douglas Thomson, February 2011

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