Evaluate: The comedy scene in Wales is alive and effectively and this present proved that

The stand-up comedy scene in Wales is alive and effectively, as this occasion underlined.

What had historically been a male-dominated style based mostly firmly in workingmen’s golf equipment has now – fortunately – widened its protection vastly, with numerous comedy golf equipment bobbing up all through Wales, together with two common venues in Newport.

This occasion in entrance of a giant viewers in the principle Donald Gordon Theatre was one thing of a comedy extravaganza, with seven comedians on present from thoughout Wales (apart from Merthyr, which bore the brunt of a number of comedians’ observations).

First up and compering the present was Robin Morgan, setting the non-PC tone by apologising for being married to a girl and interesting with these of the viewers courageous sufficient to deal with the entrance stalls.

Leroy Britto was subsequent, returning to the positioning of his Tiger Bay roots having now moved to voluntary exile in Penarth. He headed a present in Newport Market not too long ago but it surely appeared an even bigger venue suited him higher as he acquired going.

Anna Thomas had a shorter however nonetheless satisfying set of simply 10 minutes in quirky OTT stereotypical Welsh character. She grew on me and I needed extra.

Subsequent was Tudur Owen: you’ll in all probability know the voice from BBC Wales’ Tudur’s TV Flashback, however he’s an outstanding stand-up act and we need to see extra of this.

In distinction to Tudur, Mike Bubbins’ face is extra recognisable in Wales, and significantly the Nineteen Seventies-style moustache. However as soon as the marginally extra conventional stand-up will get going you bear in mind the previous Barry PE trainer’s comedy sprinkled on our screens over a few years.

Carys Eleri’s experiences of trying a relationship throughout lockdown have been set out in excruciating element in tune – and a cracking singing voice she has, too, though among the witty lyrics have been misplaced within the second.

In my view, the very best efficiency was saved till final, with Kiri Pritchard-McLean beginning slowly and constructing in a side-splitting crescendo of tear-inducing private tales, leaving everybody wanting extra.

The organisers of this occasion, Little Wander, additionally placed on the Machynlleth and Aberystwyth comedy festivals and have plans to make this South Wales enterprise an annual occasion. If and once they do, I’ll be among the many first in what deserves to be an extended queue for tickets.

Carl Difford