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personal; a front-line report from a man deeply embedded in a 16-year relationship, where passionate romance has long been replaced by placid, soul-sapping acceptance.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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Did my gigs last weekend and encored both nights, including a double encore at one of the venues - world class

JS, November 2009

How funny is this man? Saw him this evening at the comedy store and dragged a friend along, we were both in stitches. Got the cd which I'm so looking forward to and can't wait to go and see him again. Cracking stuff

Cheryl Buchanan, August 2009

I saw Tom for the first time on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow. I thought he was great so quick and funny. Then I was suprised to see him when i went to Baby Blue comedy club in Liverpool. Them 20 minutes where the funniest 20 minutes of my life! He was great and he used material that I'd never seen him use before, it was all new. So that made it even better! I really enjoyed watching him and are going to be seeing him again octoberish when he goes and plays in Liverpool again! I hope it's as good as it was last time!

Victoria Smith, August 2009

Just caught Tom on Comedy Central's Edinburgh & Beyond and can only say his set came as a real disappointment. As someone I would have rated among my top three stand-ups I've been waiting for him to move beyond the 'meat van' and 'living in Wolverhampton' material which has been his staple for the past few years. If the ten-minute slot on E & B is anything to go by, he has a lot of work to do to elevate the new material to the heights he previously scaled as a stand-up. Obviously, new material will always take time to come together, but however funny Tom thinks it is, his current set really doesn't engage you like the tried and trusted material he's relied on up to now. He seems to have lost his perspective as an 'outsider' trying to make sense of British culture ("...I guess you've got a lot of old shit in England") - which, of course, was the basis for much of his act. Perhaps, as Chortle's review suggests, he is still "workshopping" new material - I certainly hope so. Tom has consistently been one the most inventive and engaging stand-ups with a relaxed delivery which comes as a real breath of fresh air alongside all the bright young things desperately trying to figure out how to be funny.

Nigel Lord, August 2009

Only saw Tom once on Michael McIntyre's roadshow and actually only initially caught my attention because i thought it was Patrick Dempsey on the stage! I hope to catch one of Tom's show's he is hilarious, I've never laughed so much about so little. I mean, a meat van for crying out loud! I even Sky + it to show the rest of the family who found it equally as funny - good stuff Tom, keep it up!

Lisa McNeil, July 2009

Saw Tom for the first time on Michael McIntyre's comedy roadshow. A likeable persona with a perfect delivery enabled him to get 10 minutes of fantastic material out of the story about the meat van. Like a lot of other comments on here, you can't quite put your finger on why he's so funny but he is very comical and had me laughing all the way through his set.

Dave B, June 2009

Tom used to work at the comedy club my husband and I own in Kingston, Ontario Canada and although we haven't seen him for a few years now, I will never forget his performances. He has always been my personal favourite and no other comic has had me in tears from laughter. Wishing him fame and success in the UK!

Tracy-Lyn Hausen, July 2008

Saw Tom in afghanistan,where he came to entertain us troops with three other comedians. I'd never heard of him before and I can honestly say he is the funniest guy I have ever seen! I don't know why he isn't as famous as he could and should be.

Pete, December 2007

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