I was lucky enough to get a ticket to Des McLean at the Theatre Royal and have to say I had an absolute blast. I am from the central belt of Scotland, Stirling to be precise and I find the Glasgow style of humour VERY appealing. I know Des makes a big deal about coming from the East end of Glasgow, but it's this, "been there, seen it" type of observation that I appreciate about his show. I am a huge fan of the Billy Connolly B*ullsh*t tour videos on youtube and the "act normal" videos, both very entertaining. I think Des' show would certainly translate to Edinburgh and beyond. One only has to look at the success of Chewin' The Fat in England to see how the Glasgow humour appeals across the country. Well done Des, I will definately see you again.
I love them French girls, March 2008
So the audience laughs for two hours and it's the two critics who say it was crap that are right. Are you having a f*****g laugh Ann? My dictionary says ' 'Comedian - an entertainer whose act is designed to make an audience laugh'. Talkin aboot?
Davey, March 2008
As Reviewed by The Scotsman: "It's not easy to pinpoint what makes a comedian great, but I'm fairly certain Des McLean does not have it. Over the course of two hours we got 20 minutes of Billy Connolly impersonations, nearly half an hour of ned jokes, several excruciating minutes of front-row "banter" and painfully elongated invention-free anecdotes, some of which he felt the need to pre-warn us were going to be "awesome" and "classic". It would be grossly unfair to suggest that McLean's show was met with complete silence from the busy home crowd. Each slice of Glasgow patter was greeted with yelps of delight as long as it had a hearty curse close to its culmination. But, that couldn't diaguise McLean's haphazard delivery, flimsy structure and a tendency to meander aimlessly. This audience deserved better." Well it seems not everyone agrees with the various 'mates' who posted their shock at Steve Bennet, who is a seasoned comedy critic. You may not like what he wrote, but strangely another man who reviews comedy for a living also disagreed with Des's 'I am the new Billy Connolly' theory. Yes people in Glasgow love him, yes he filled out the show, yes he probably wouldn't get an audience either side of the M8 and certainly isn't a regular on the UK comedy circuit. Good news is he is playing the TIN MAN in panto, well 'nuff said....he aint GOLD. But the people of the East End love him and not many bitter Scottish comics can claim that!
ann, March 2008
It is fair to say that Des McLean is a huge star in Glasgow. He sells out his shows in the city and the East Enders love him. No other comic on Glasgow can sell a show like him. It may not work in any other city or any other place for that matter and maybe thats an issue. But its not an issue for Des, he will always get the home crowd on his side. Whether or not he could sell out a theatre in Edinburgh is another issue? He isn't known in London or even outside the West Of Scotland but the fact remains that he sold out Glasgow and they hung on every word he said and they had a great night. He doesn't have to prove himself to anyone now.
Vic, March 2008
I was at the Theatre Royal for Des' gig on Tuesday with 3 friends and we are baffled by the review on this site. We had only seen Des at the Stand a couple of times so we were looking forward to his one man show.We laughed for the whole 2 hours and it was money well spent. Have been raving about it to all our workmates. Can't wait till his next show!
susan, March 2008
Are you kidding with that review? I was also at the gig... seem to remember the crowd being on its feet at the end... slashes the credibility of this review.
Ann, March 2008
I have to say that i thoroughly enjoyed myself at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday night and from the sound of the audience around me i wasn't the only one! I too had never heard his Clyde 1 show but i did not find that any of the material was lost on me. I have followed his 'Billy Connolly's ******** Tour' on youtube and find this hilarious and I enjoyed the videos on the night just as much. The reviewer mentions that Des was making jokes about observations that anyone could make... now forgive me if I'm wrong but is this not something that a lot of comedians have made hugely successful careers from? i think they even have a name for it - "Observation Comedy"! Apparently Billy Connolly is a big an of Des McLean, surely this man knows a thing or two about comedy? I would definitely go and see Des again and would recommend him to my friends, i'd also urge you all to check out his Billy Connolly and his 'Act normal' videos on youtube. I wish Des huge success in the future.
Malcolm Murdock, March 2008
Fairly blatant bit of pro PR from 'George Watson' there...unfortunately your insistance on saying the performer's full name each time and the drop of 'Magners' Comedy Festival' rather gives you away.
James, March 2008
I think Steve Bennett needs to have a good look in the mirror, and take a breath of reality. His review of this show is an insult to the 1,000 or more who had a great nite out and clearly demonstrated their approval to McLean. Perhaps he prefers clever comedy , where no one laughs and the the act says "I was too clever for them peasants" Hang your head in shame sir, this review is unjust, inaccurate and, does comedy no good.
Patrick Rolink, March 2008
Maybe these reviewers are 'too cool' to be in touch with the ordinary paying punters... judging by the reaction, everyone enjoyed it.
Dunc, March 2008
I am not sure if I saw the same show that you did. I must have gone to the wrong venue. I was at The Theatre Royal on Tuesday night and saw Des McLean rock the place! It was the best two hours I have spent in a long time. I thought he was absolutely brilliant - and I laughed from start to finish. I thought his material was original and brilliant and very funny. In the style of Billy Connolly, I thought Des took total control of the stage and managed to make humour out of the most simple observations - things which we all take for granted - yet Des managed to make us all laugh out loud. I am NOT a fan of Radio Clyde as I can't even get the station where I live. I saw him last year at Magners and took eight friends along to see him at Theatre Royal. I thought his material was very different from last year and only recognised four or five bit from what he did last time. That's not bad going for a show which lasted nearly two hours! All my guests had a brilliant time and they are now all firm Des McLean fans. The review is totally at odds with the opinions of the packed house who were treated to two hours of original comedy delivered in Des McLean's individual and edgy style which certainly works for me and seemed to work for everyone else who saw it. Oh - except you of course you. I suspect that your review is motivated more by the methods of the gutter press in this country which loves to take a pop at anyone who is successful. I think you have done a huge disservice to the Magners' Comedy Festival and all it stands for. On Tuesday night, the people of Glasgow turning out in their droves to have a brilliant evening with a local comedian. It's great for Glasgow. It's great for comedy. It was great for the packed house who laughed from start to finish - as you grudgingly admit in your review.
