Afternoon for Janey, King's Theatre, Glasgow

 Jnaey Godley died last year, of ovarian cancer, not just by family and friends, but also other comedians and vast number of devoted fans.  While a controversial figure at times, she was very, very funny, imaginative, frank, and talented when it came to acting and writing.  So a tribute show at her home comedy festival in Glasgow was both fitting and natural.

The first half provided the comedy, from friends who'd known her for many years.  Daughter Ashley Storrie opening things, briefly, and you see how emotional the event was for her.  Elaine C Smith had been down to compere, but sadly contracted covid, so Scott Agnew stepped in at short notice, and did a fine job.  He introduced singer Tom Uri, plus fellow comics Rosco McClelland and Susie McCabe.  Mostly dojng material which were favourites of their departed pal.  Rosco's 'robot hoover' routine was hysterically funny, and McCabe brought full-on warmth to her recollections of  Godley.

The seond half saw Agnew introduce the film Janey, a documentary about her life recorded during her Not Dead Yet tour (click here for my review of that show).  Interspersed with footage of her tour material and cancer treatments, were stories of her early life (poor, sexually abused, and marrrying into a family of gangsters), her family, and the desperate situation which made her turn to becoming a professional comedian at 35.  Through to fame as the voiceover queen of the pandemic, and a champion of sociopolitical causes, notably trans rights. Plus her fame/infamy as the woman with the Trump is a Cunt sign.  Funny and moving in turns.  

A few closing words from Storrie, including a reminder that the gig was a benefit for the 2 cancer charities who had made her mum's final month more tolerable.  And we were done.  

A wonderful afternoon of memories, laughs and sadness, and fitting tribute to one of Scotland's most talented comedians.  And she was definitely right about Trump.

Jo Caulfield - Razor-Sharp, Stand 3, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Poor Stuart! Caulfield's husband may or may not be a largely fictional creation, but he is the butt of a good deal of her storytelling. Whatever he may or may not feel about that, audiences love it. Caulfield delivers her trademark acerbic bitchiness, casting her eyes around on the ridiculous things people do. As well as her hapless hubby she takes aim at her women friends, men more generally, and those sad creatures who write to the Metro freebie in the hope that someone they saw on the bus will respond to them.

There's also a more personal element to the show. Her sister died of cancer in 2016 and Jo has written a book about her sibling relationship, and dealing with the grief since it came to an untimely end. She gave a short reading from her work, which quickly displayed that her writing retains the sarcasm and sharpness she's known for in her stage act. And for once this isn't somebody pushing their work for their own benefit, as proceeds from sales are going to Macmillan Cancer Support. Which sounds like two good reasons to buy it.

There's also a bit of audience interaction and Caulfield is not one to try and be smart with! The title of the show reflects her own ability to come up with one liners swiftly, and put downs if required.

Sharp, emotional, very funny and highly recommended.

Jo Caulfield, Razor-Sharp, is on at 20.15 in Stand 3 until the 27th.

World Trade Fair Day Celebration, Usher Hall

 A bit of an odd event, that was frequently interesting, often entertaining, but never quite gelled.

It opened with a school pipe band marching on, followed by the evening's host, Gail Porter (no, I had to look up who she was too...). Some information about Fair Trade, a bit of an attempt at warming up the audience (not entirely successfully), and a couple of videos on a big screen over the stage, explaining something about the Fair Trade organisation and what they do.

Eventually we got to one of the two main music acts for the night, with, weirdly, the better musicians on first. Which maybe gave the biggest clue to the nature of the event. Shooglenifty were excellent, the 7 piece outfit delivering a rowdy and danceable set with sound musical ideas and lots of life about them.

The interval had more of Ms Porter, more worthy video material, and a youth drum band plus a youthful dance troupe. And then came the main act, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

I've seen the Pipers a couple of times before, but in a very different environment, where their fun act seemed more appropriate. But somehow it just didn't seem to work in a grand venue like the Usher. Competent musicians, albeit far from the best pipers (ironically), a deficit perhaps highlight by having seen and heard the wonderful Ross Ainslie a few nights before in the Traverse next door. More show than go, they are entertainers more than serious musicians. We left before the end...

Salute Ukraine!, Usher Hall

 A big gala event bringing together Scottish and Ukrainian musicians and writers.  Plus video messages from Ukrainians both here and back home in the war.  The number of acts was too long to list here, but it really did have something for everyone.  Scottish folk, Ukrainian pop and opera, storytelling and poetry, with three songs from the mighty Lau to close the event, before the Ukraine national anthem was sung - are there were a lot of emotional Ukrainians in the audience to add volume.  

There were a few technical hitches, but that felt entirely forgivable on such a worthy occasion, and one that had had to be thrown together at short notice.  With so many acts to cope with the sound check must have been a lengthy nightmare!  And the occasional glitch served as a reminder that this was an event with real human urgency behind it, that there are innocent people dying in this war, as we sat there and enjoyed the tunes and the words.  

Memorable.

Barry Crimmins : A Celebration, New Town Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe

Barry Crimmins was a New York satirical comedian and political activist who was revered by many in his profession.  he died of cancer earlier this year and this one-off charity gig was held to raise funds for his widow to help pay for her own cancer treatment.

Playing to sold out house in the Grand Hall, Robin Ince MCed and talked about his own memories of the man, and introduced a succession of top comedians doing ten minute slots.  Mark Thomas, Angela Barnes, Chris Stokes, Sofie Hagen, Mark Watson, Scotland's Janey Godley, Alistair Barrie and, rounding it all off, Reginald D Hunter.

And if that wasn't quite enough there were a couple of even more special guests.  After Hagen Ince brought on Helen Crimmins, Barry's widow, the undoubted highlight of the show.  She gave a powerfully emotional speech about her husband, his work, his optimism and his message that we should never give up fighting the bad guys, before presenting very special gifts to Ince and Thomas.  She was followed by multi talented musician and entertainer Amanda Palmer who delivered a hilarious anthem to the ukulele whilst playing the ukulele.  Watson, well fuelled by rose, got a good five minutes of comedy out of the stress of having to follow 2 of the most powerful acts of the night!

An excellent show, an excellent cause, and a reminder that compassion, empathy and love remain powerful weapons in our society.