Limmy: Surprisingly Down to Earth and Very Funny
****
Mon 25 Mar, Glee Club, Cardiff
Scottish comedian Brian Limond, a.k.a. Limmy, has found an eclectic path into the public eye; to some people he’s that guy who made crazy videos on the now-defunct Vine, to others he’s at the forefront of the Twitter cancel culture, but it’s his TV career, in particular the sketch comedy Limmy’s Show he’s best known for. He acknowledges this at the beginning of his live show Surprisingly Down to Earth, and Very Funny by reeling through his characters and their catchphrases as the audience are invited to shout them out, giving people what they want before he reclines into an armchair on stage and the night turns into a more conventional book reading.
The whole thing is fairly relaxed; the live show lacks the theatrics of a stand-up set or a full-on theatre production, but it’s just as funny, entertaining and more authentic as a result. Casually dressed in a grey t-shirt and jeans, book propped in his hand, Limmy reads about his childhood desire for attention, his teenage drug habits and his interactions with other celebrities. That may sound like a conventional celebrity memoir, but it’s the thick Scottish accent, the dark humour and blunt honesty that sets Limmy apart.
The second half of the show involves a Q&A. This is where Limmy’s ability particularly stands out, as he easily answers random questions from the crowd with well-timed one liners or full, funny anecdotes. Limmy has a natural chemistry with his audience and seems to enjoy the chaos of the unexpected, as he ignores the phone alarm which announces the show is over and continues to take questions regardless. You get a sense he enjoys this part as much as anyone who has paid to be there.
After the show Limmy sticks around for a signing. The queue fully stretched around the Glee club bar was fast-moving and everyone had a chance to have something signed, get a photo with the man himself, and even fit in a quick chat; it turns out that Limmy is indeed, Surprisingly Down to Earth, and Very Funny.
words Andrew Lloyd
Limmy’s autobiography Surprisingly Down to Earth, and Very Funny is out now. Limmy is touring until the end of April. Dates here
