Comic Details

Tom Stade

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Videos

Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow - BBC One

June 2009


More Tom Stade videos

Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow - BBC One
On Paisley
On meat
On surviving
Tom Stade on...Women and Children
Tom Stade on...Shopping
Tom Stade On India
Tom Stade On China

Other footage

Watch Tom Stade on The World Stands Up
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Biography

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.

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Reviews

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

Tom Stade: What Year Was That? in London

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personal; a front-line report from a man deeply embedded in a 16-year relationship, where passionate romance has long been replaced by placid, soul-sapping acceptance.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.

Date of live review: Friday 7th Oct, '11
Review by Steve Bennett
Tom Stade: What Year Was That?
Tom Stade: What Year Was That?

Friday 12th Aug, '11-
Stand Up For Palestine
Stand Up For Palestine

Tuesday 22nd Mar, '11-
Tom Stade: Oh Fuck, Do We Need A Title, Too?
Tom Stade: Oh Fuck, Do We Need A Title, Too?

Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2008 -
Tom Stade: Setlist
Tom Stade: Setlist

Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2007 -
True West
Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2006 -
Tom Stade : Original Review
Tom Stade : Original Review

Sunday 1st Sep, '02-
Tom Stade: And Relax
Tom Stade: And Relax

Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2006 -
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Comments

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There is a mere handful of comics who could perform in an armchair. This is guy is one of them. He takes you on trip of the ordinary mundane ways of life and makes you aware of the absurdness of it all. All to great effect. Damn funny guy!

Jay Ryan, July 2006


I saw Tom in Greenfield, Oldham. Peter Kay has got nothing on this man - absolute genius

Vanessa O'Connor , June 2006


A great night of comedy at the Bullingdon in Oxford. Tom was excellent and I was proud to be one of the few women who didn't take offense at some of his stuff and queued up to buy his CD. To quote him direct "I don't trust anything I can't laugh at".

Samaire, June 2006


This was a great show.

David Shaw, March 2006


Have to admire the talent but thought some of the material was a trifle crude - loved the travel bits though

Liz, March 2006


One of the funniest comedians on the planet

Funk, February 2006


Saw Tom at Jesters (something of a bearpit in my opinion) in Bristol a fortnight ago. He dealt with savage heckling with aplomb, delivering one of the best acts I've seen in a long time. His insight into the British culture is perceptive and very, very funny. Go see him: you won't be disappointed - unless you are one of the group of teenage hecklers who wanted to show how right on they were and rightly got the savaging they so deserved.

Alan Tovey, February 2006


The best I've seen for a long time. He's fucking great

Celeste, January 2006


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News
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Where can I see Tom Stade next?

Where can I see Tom Stade next?

Recommended
20:00 - Thursday 23rd Feb, '12
Venue: Redditch Palace Theatre
Prices: £10 (£8 concs)
Comics: Andrew Lawrence, Paul Tonkinson, Tom Stade, Chris Cairns (MC)
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Thursday 1st Mar, '12
Venue: Comedy Store
Prices: £18
Comics: Jeff Innocent, Nathan Caton, Rob Deering, Tom Stade, Imran Yusuf (MC)
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
19:30 - Friday 2nd Mar, '12
Venue: Comedy Store
Prices: £20
Comics: Jeff Innocent, Nathan Caton, Rob Deering, Tom Stade, Imran Yusuf (MC)
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
23:00 - Friday 2nd Mar, '12
Venue: Comedy Store
Prices: £15 (£10 concs)
Comics: Jeff Innocent, Nathan Caton, Rob Deering, Tom Stade, Imran Yusuf (MC)
Show starts: 23:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
19:30 - Saturday 3rd Mar, '12
Venue: Comedy Store
Prices: £20
Comics: Jeff Innocent, Nathan Caton, Rob Deering, Tom Stade, Imran Yusuf (MC)
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
23:00 - Saturday 3rd Mar, '12
Venue: Comedy Store
Prices: £18 (£13 concs)
Comics: Jeff Innocent, Nathan Caton, Rob Deering, Tom Stade, Imran Yusuf (MC)
Show starts: 23:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Wednesday 7th Mar, '12
Venue: Manchester Comedy Store
Prices: £8 (£4 concs)
Comics: Jo Caulfield, Tom Stade, Ian Coppinger (MC)
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Thursday 8th Mar, '12
Venue: Manchester Comedy Store
Prices: £10 (£5 concs)
Comics: Jo Caulfield, Tom Stade, Ian Coppinger (MC)
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Friday 9th Mar, '12
Venue: Manchester Comedy Store
Prices: £18 (£9 concs)
Comics: Andrew Bird, Jo Caulfield, John Lynn, Tom Stade, Ian Coppinger (MC)
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Saturday 10th Mar, '12
Venue: Manchester Comedy Store
Prices: £20 (£10 concs)
Comics: Andrew Bird, Jo Caulfield, John Lynn, Tom Stade, Ian Coppinger (MC)
Info: Two shows: 7pm and 9.30pm
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Recommended
19:30 - Tuesday 27th Mar, '12
Venue: Glasgow King's Theatre
Prices: £17.50
Comics: Tom Stade
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Friday 6th Apr, '12
Venue: Nottingham Just The Tonic
Prices: £10 (£5 concs)
Comics: Benny Boot, Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue, Tom Stade
Info: MC Darrell Martin
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Saturday 7th Apr, '12
Venue: Nottingham Just The Tonic
Prices: £13 (£7 concs)
Comics: Benny Boot, Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue, Tom Stade
Info: MC Darrell Martin
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Tom Stade
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Tom Stade's Shows:
Edinburgh Fringe 2006
Tom Stade: And Relax
True West

Edinburgh Fringe 2007
Tom Stade: Setlist

Edinburgh Fringe 2008
Tom Stade: Oh Fuck, Do We Need A Title, Too?

Edinburgh Fringe 2011
Tom Stade: What Year Was That?

Misc live shows
Stand Up For Palestine