It’s a welcome back to the Comedy Crate for their first gig of the new year at the Charles Bradlaugh. January is seen as an iffy month for comedy, but there was an almost full house of comedy-goers itching for their first show of the year. We had seen all the acts before but knew them to be top quality – as the evening proved.
Our host was the Pride of Northampton, Pete Teckman, who got us warmed up by discovering comedy nuggets from the crowd, including the front row newbies who looked far too young to be married 22 years and to have six children. We also met the man who kept introducing his friends as his family, and Jordan who tags along with couple George and Jodie, but they all seem happy with the arrangement. There was also Chris, who might get a proposal from his girlfriend this leap year but isn’t sure if he wanted the government to be involved. As Pete pointed out, they never come and make a bedroom inspection afterwards.
First up was Rachel Fairburn, whom we’d last seen inducing a medical emergency with material about serial killers at a Screaming Blue Murder night. Fortunately Ms Fairburn left that routine out, and instead treated us to some excellent material about the complexities of being working class with middle class friends, the pros and cons of Oliver Bonas and a fantasy throuple with an ex-Home Secretary and a BBC Sports Presenter. She has a sharp, perceptive presence on stage and delivers her material with an engaging perkiness and lovely timing. A great start to the evening.
Next up was the gently neurotic Jamie D’Souza, a man of eclectic heritage with a very nicely underplayed style. He’s delightfully self-deprecating, with tales of sharing a house with his gay housemate and his relationship with his girlfriend – that’s Jamie’s relationship, not his housemate’s – bringing out seemingly insignificant moments and making great comedy material out of them. I also really like his deliberate and careful use of language that sets you up to expect one thing, then delivers another. Clearly a very funny man.
Our headliner was Aurie Styla, who burst onto the comic scene as an “internet viral sensation” about seven years ago and has gone from strength to strength with his confident, engaging presence and relatable material. He talks about his current transatlantic relationship with his New York based girlfriend, who wonders if they should settle in Luton – and there are too many reasons why this is not a good idea, as Mr S explains. He also has some great material about what life is like as a comic on a cruise ship – and the Comedy Crate crowd is the perfect age group to appreciate that! He sets up a great rapport with the audience and his energy never falters throughout his act. A fitting end to a superb night of comedy.
The next comedy night at the Bradlaugh is a Work in Progress show with Jessica Fostekew, and it’s been ten years since we last saw her, so that should be great!