Saturday Review
on Oct 27 in Uncategorized by DanA periodic look at stuff I’ve been consuming recently.
Podcast: Daniel Kitson
I was unaware of comedian Daniel Kitson’s existence until very recently. Which is odd as he should really be a local celebrity. He comes from near me and we even went to the same sixth form college, missing each other only by a couple of years. And it’s not like he’s had a low profile; he played Spencer in Phoenix Nights, won the Perrier comedy award in 2002, and has received overwhelming critical praise for his stand up shows.
Since i have been alerted to his existence however i’ve lost no time in catching up with his output. Quite frankly the man is a genius. His comedy is intelligent, insightful, and devastatingly poignant. He transcends the barrier between entertainment and true art. There is an integrity to what he does which luminates his routines with honesty and a beautiful humanity. In short, I think he is pretty good.
I haven’t seen him live, although I’d love to. He has put some podcasts of his stand up shows on his website however, and I would recommend anyone go take a look. Ben and the Old Man is particularly wonderful.
Blog: Becky’s T-Blog
Becky is funny, damn funny. Sure, she has a fantastic blog layout, obvious design talents, and a great turn of phrase. But the thing that keeps me going back is the sparkling wit flying off her pages. Her posts are consistently among the most inventive and original of all the blogs I visit, and I seldom finish reading one without a broad grin on my face.
Becky is also a transvestite. I’ve been in a bit of a quandary about how to talk about this as I’m unsure of the etiquette and don’t want to say anything offensive by mistake. But if I do slip up I’m pretty sure she’ll forgive me. Saying that, I’ve learned quite a bit about the transvestite culture through reading her blog, and have had a few of my preconceptions challenged. Here are a few posts which I found particularly interesting:
Being Talked about
On muggles
Am I a transsexual?
But for me, Becky’s blog isn’t really about me nosing around in the transvestite culture. If it was I’d have got bored ages ago and stopped reading. No, it’s about great and funny posts, and she provides those in spades.
Becky’s alter ego Simon and his partner Jane (who has her own rather marvelous blog here) are getting married today. Congratulations guys, I wish you many years of happiness.
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I think it was Rich who introduced me to Daniel Kitson. I’ve listened to his podcasts about 5 times already, which I find unusual – I can only usually listen to comedians once or twice before becoming bored with their routine.
Ben and the Old Man was only added recently, and I wish there were a lot more to listen to! I haven’t been able to find out if or where he’s touring…
Kitson is class! When I first moved to Manc about eight years ago, I used to go to a bar near my flat called the Iguana Bar – he was a regular act on their “Mirth on Monday” comedy nights. Still appears there occasionally – if you are up for it, let me know if you want to come and see him the next time he appears here – his website normally has the dates. BTW, Dave Spikey is also a regular there.
Good place is Iguana – its about half the size of upstairs at the old Courthouse, so is a nice intimate environment. It’s also free to get in! And if you are careful, you can sneak in a half bottle of brandy with you, and top up your own drink when the staff aren’t looking! But no good kebab shops nearby for after.
That reminds me – there is not one decent fish and chip shop in Manchester; they all serve this generic white/grey fish that has clearly been caught and frozen several years earlier, and then fried in oil that has been filtered and re-used many times, and has also been tainted by the essence of various meat-based products. I’ve actuslly driven all the way to Huddersfield just to go to the chippy in front of the place Barra’s mum works at in Holmfirth, eaten the food, and then driven home again.
But anyway, Daniel Kitson, yeahh.
Very funny stuff. His style reminds me of Bill Cosby back in the day.
Wow, I´m so flattered! I´d write more but I´m still on honeymoon and need to fit in 10 more solid hours of doing bugger all today. And this keyboard seems to want me to put in Ñs and Çs everywhere.
But yeah, really nice. :-)