COMEDY SHEEP PRESENTS | COMEDY REVIEW
Glee Club, Cardiff Bay, Sun 24 July
A comedian’s life must get pretty tiring chasing the gigs, constantly self-promoting, playing to unappreciative drunken crowds at office Christmas parties. So if you’re fed up of all that what’s there to do? Well, Ignacio Lopez and Leroy Brito decided to take this into their own hands. The innovative, funny pair took control of their own careers by booking out the Glee Club, set themselves the target of writing new sets and invited Made In Cardiff TV to come and film it.
The Glee Club was packed to the brim, hard to find a seat and with everyone in great spirits. The kind of weekend atmosphere you’d expect for a Fridaor Saturday night, rather than the usual sluggish vibe, mixed with the terrors of the approaching Monday morning blues, that you normally get on a Sunday.
The charming Ignacio Lopez was MC for the night. Having made a name for himself playing on his unique view of growing up as a teenager in Swansea to a Spanish father and Welsh mother, his set is a cocktail of honest Welsh humour and Spanish charisma. It’s not something many could carry off but thanks to his genetics, he has all the right ingredients.
First act to take the stage was the energetic Simon Emanuel, former winner of the Wales Unsigned Stand-Up Award and finalist in the Loaded Laftas Comedian Of The Year. Simon is loud, sweaty and hilariously inappropriate. Unnerving at times, you’re left wondering is this an act or an actually unhinged man on stage raging and ranting, but hey – nervous laughter is still laughter, right?
Next up was the shiny, new to the scene Sarah Breese. An apologetic and unassuming presence which is endearing and awkwardly funny, Sarah was followed by Luton lad Jamie McGowan. Jamie has made a name for himself on the Welsh stand-up circuit and is a WUSA finalist himself. Jamie plays up to his geeky persona, mixing in cheesy puns and his brave take on being in a English lad in Wales. Following Jamie was ex-teacher Jo Duncan, another newbie to the scene but already widely sought after for gigs. Jo is dry, intelligent and emotionlessly witty.
The big finale was the charming Leroy Brito. From the stomping welcome of the crowd it seems he has quite a large fanbase – or if not, at least quite a large extended family in the audience. Like Ignacio, a lot of his material centres around his upbringing in Wales and surviving the multicultural carnival that is Butetown. Brito is fresh, real and easy on the eyes, something which has already been picked up on the other side of the Atlantic as he had the opportunity to play numerous shows on a recent trip to New York.
Ignacio came to the stage once more to finish off what was a bountiful evening of contrastingly funny comedy. Hats off for making such a brave move, as the evening was on the whole a massive success. If you weren’t there, watch out for the broadcast of the gig, due to be shown on Made In Cardiff TV this coming October/November.
words DENIECE CUSACK photo MICHELLE HUGGLESTON