Review: Stand Up 4 Slapstick, Colston Hall

There were no custard pies thrown or rakes trodden on, but Stand up 4 Slapstick returned to Bristol for a fifth year to showcase an array of stand-up comedians, satirists and a slightly vacant-looking musician while raising funds for Bristol’s brilliant annual Slapstick Festival.

The evening was hosted by Marcus Brigstocke, who regaled the packed-out audience with his exploits rollerblading down Park Street during his Bristol student days. Brigstocke’s smooth, confident stage presence seamlessly combines quick-witted audience interaction with light-hearted tirades when wading through the quagmire of current political events. Whilst some of his ‘borderline’ accents brought about mixed results, his suggestion to base your EU Referendum vote on whether you have an ‘innie’ or ‘outie’ belly button was a particular hit.

Next on stage was cardiganed comedian Robin Ince, best known either as Brian Cox’s right-hand man on Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage or as Ricky Gervais’ play toy in several YouTube videos. Most of Ince’s set was spent sharing anecdotes about Cox, often delivered through whispered, winding build-ups crowned by erratic bursts of frantic energy and passion. There were long gaps between the laughs, and his self-loathing persona proved slightly irritating. However, his rambunctious impression of Brian Blessed as Jesus on the cross was a highlight of the evening.

Boothby Graffoe swaggered on next, cutting a strikingly different figure. His set meandered aimlessly, almost without recognition of the audience: soulful guitar playing, interjected one-liners, a chat with the stage hand, a quick look at his phone. His brief performance was captivating to watch, but ultimately felt like watching the funny guy in the pub spinning yarns. A hilarious impression of Keith Richards reading to children while snorting cocaine showed his more edgy side.

The comedian and radio host Jeremy Hardy bounced into view next with a heavily politicised set. Whilst providing clean, well timed delivery, his routine on Jeremy Corbyn’s ascension, the Trident nuclear programme and the evil Tories often felt like he had the wrong audience in front of him.

The next segment was very strange indeed, with comedian/medic Dr Phil Hammond telling the audience that ‘we’re going to heal each other’. Whilst this often felt like a self-help seminar, including his request for audience members to hug the person next to them, the laughs still came thick and fast with his uplifting, off-the-wall facts and titbits intermingled with biting wit. The doctor ordered ‘five portions of fun a day’, and he certainly delivered as the fifth and penultimate comedian.

Last up, Lucy Porter immediately delighted the audience with her idea of opening a vegan, breastfeeding café in Stokes Croft, complete with a three-legged dog (even if she had to cut one leg off it herself). Her relaxed stage presence and personal stories about children, home and marriage often lured you in to a false sense of security before being sucker-punched with a scathing punchline. Lucy’s performance was one of the highlights of the evening, ending a night of eclectic comedy styles on a high note.

Stand Up 4 Slapstick was at the Colston Hall on Sunday, June 12. The next Slapstick Festival fundraiser Stand Out – Stand Up for Slapstick will be at Colston Hall on Wednesday, September 14, starring Jack Dee, Jason Manford, Susan Calman and Richard Herring. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.colstonhall.org/shows/stand-stand-slapstick