Jocks and Geordies

Article by Kate Russell | 19 Aug 2011

Jocks and Geordies is the type of show that can only be truly appreciated by a mostly male, mostly drunk audience. Compere Dan Willis, lucking upon a pair of brothers in the crowd, immediately leaps into tales of interrupted masturbation and clings to this theme throughout. He chats easily with the audience, but this schoolboy humour quickly wears thin.

First act up is Glasgow-based Teddy. His one-liners are sharp and biting, of the laugh-but-you-shouldn’t style. He commands the room, and gets a lot of laughs, but at times his shock-humour can come off a little lazy.

Greek honorary Geordie George Zack is up next. An accessible and flowing set – down-to-earth and likeable. His comic timing is impeccable, his jokes solid.

The show’s regular Jock is Obie. A bit of an odd-ball, it can be hard to see what thread links his set together, but this works exactly as he intends with a winding, mis-directing nursery rhyme story; he genuinely loses you, and you’re surprised where he finds you again.

Finally, Carl Hutchinson, takes to the stage with his pessimistic, patient brand of humour. He has the confidence in his material to leave pauses and take his time; he knows what he is doing, and he knows he is doing it well.

About as hit and miss as a show like this can be.

Jocks and Geordies, Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, until 28 August at 22.15 Part of the Laughing Horse Free Festival