Shaved Dog: Comedy Spotlight
No, not poodles subjected to questionable topiary – just three comics from Liverpool. Still weird, though
Successful comedy collectives are a rare thing, with most comedy born from the kind of competitive roughhousing that makes friendly collaboration impossible. However, from the famously cut-throat Liverpool scene comes Shaved Dog: a group of three newbie comics already turning heads despite only having a slender six months of performances under their belts.
Shaved Dog comprises Danny Bradley, Michael Burton and Shell Byron, who split into two acts: Yolav and Graham, a deconstructive act about a refugee comedian and his translator, and Ally Allerton, a character act that takes a skewed look at bipolar disorder. We caught up with Michael (aka Yolav, far left of the picture above) to talk us through what makes Shaved Dog bark.
Influences:
“Shit, there's loads. All the usual alternative comedians such as Stewart Lee, Kevin Eldon, Alexei Sayle, Chris Morris and others of that ilk. Shell loves Rik Mayall, in fact she may still be in mourning for him.
“Also: theatre maverick Ken Campbell, The School of Night, Nina Conti, Maria Bamford. Essentially anyone who is doing something a little different.”
First gig:
“All our first gigs went really well, in fact so well that it probably gave us false expectations.
“Mike and Danny performed [as] Yolav and Graham at the Legion of Doom’s farewell gig. The audience were really into their weird stuff and loved it. They even applauded an incomprehensible wordplay sketch.
“Shell’s first gig was at her work’s standup night, based around mental health. Her routine about all the funny things that happen when you try and kill yourself went down a treat.”
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Favourite venue:
“Either [promoters] XS Malarkey in Manchester or Matchbox Comedy at the soon-to-be-knocked-down Lantern Theatre in Liverpool. Both brilliant stages to play on and the audiences really love their comedy, especially the weird stuff, which suits us fine.”
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be? And why are you on death row?
“I’d get really drunk on rum and coke and then have chips and cheese with mayonnaise. I’m not gonna change my routine just because I’m getting a lethal injection the next day. I have principles.
“Why am I there? I can’t remember, I was very drunk on rum and coke at the time.”
What’s the largest animal you think you could beat in a fight? No weapons.
“I would at least hope to be able to kick the Christ out of a seagull. A seagull stole my lamb shawarma wrap the other day, just flew by and nicked it out my hand. I yelped. Everyone around laughed at me. So I’ve been fantasising about punching a seagull a lot recently.”
If you lived in medieval times what would you do for a living?
“Court jester’s understudy, probably. Back then there was a lot more Arts Council funding to go around so there were many more understudy roles. Why understudy? Because you spend most of your time relaxing and then occasionally you jest. If people don’t like it you blame it on the main jester’s material.”
Question from past Spotlighter Top Joe: Do you prefer Russ Abbott or Les Dennis?
“Our survey says… Russ Abbott.”
Yolav and Graham: Laughter Factor, Slaughterhouse, Liverpool, 1 Jun; also appearing at Funny Looking Fringe as part of Liverpool Comedy Festival later in the year
Ally Allerton: Holiday Inn, Liverpool, 12 Jun as part of Hot Water Comedy’s Comedian of the Year competition