Review: Chris McCausland, Toby Hadoke, Tom Stade, Simon Bligh – Gala Theatre, Durham
The Comedy Store, hosted monthly at Durham’s Gala Theatre, has been bringing the circuit’s best comics to the North East for years. This fine Bank Holiday Monday is no exception; on the bill tonight are three stars of international stage, prime-time screen, and a banking advert.
Charged with stoking the fires of mirth tonight is compere Simon Bligh. Attempting some hackneyed small talk with the audience, Bligh dips into weak, seedy bits of material that invariably equate to spluttered non-starters. After being repeatedly shown up by the audience’s superior comedy talents, Bligh falls to forced clapping to inject some energy into the now frigid theatre.
Thankfully, Tom Stade’s haggard rock star charisma is more than enough to shake things up. The long-time circuit stalwart quickly has the crowd in the palm of his hand, with his cautionary, tragi-comic tales of over-indulgence and the creeping shadow of middle-age. His world-weary, drawling magnetism and barfly-style storytelling put an entertaining spin on some occasionally less than vanguard topics.
In the middle section we’re treated to Toby Hadoke. A much sought-after compere, and self-confessed nice guy, Hadoke is the polar opposite of Stade; bumbling, dorky and plastered in corduroy. His affable, but flustered, gab with the audience make up much of his set, with occasional jokes on his specialist subject Doctor Who landing for a select few. He has more success with his recession-based puns, and leaves the crowd tickled and endeared.
The night’s final act, Chris McCausland, fairs the best of the line-up. Armed with a finely tuned club set he recalls – with lackadaisical amiability and a keen knack for timing – tales of being a pasty Scouser in Brazil, life in a studio flat, and the challenges of being a blind parent.
McCausland’s observations on relationships and over-sharing women might be as old as dirt, but they’re sharply observed and well enough told that the crowd don’t mind one bit. Dry wit and accessible targets see him send the audience home happy.
Date of live review: Monday 5 May
The Comedy Store takes place every first Sunday at the Gala Theatre in Durham. Tickets are £11, or £8 for concessions. Click for more information.
