Review: The Suggestibles – Newcastle Stand.
The Suggestibles
There’s a reason I don’t talk to my friends about comedy. Firstly, I’m perhaps a bit of a comedy snob, who, as a reviewer, probably sees a bit too much stand-up. Mainly, though, it’s just because my friends say stupid things.
“I got told off for shouting out in a comedy club the other night.”
As someone eloquently put it, you wouldn’t shout “Hogwarts” at Daniel Radcliffe during a West End show – so don’t do it in a comedy club. Chances are you’re just not as funny as you think you are.
“Comediennes aren’t funny, aren’t they?”
Yes, they are. And don’t use that word.
“I went to see a comedian the other day, and he told the same stories as last time I went to see him [a few weeks ago].”
This last one is a real bug-bearer of mine. When it comes to music, fans want their favourite artist to play their greatest hits. If I went to see Prince I’d be absolutely horrified if he didn’t sing Raspberry Beret or Purple Rain; though where comedy is concerned there’s a bizarre expectation that every experience has to be a new one.
It’s an unreasonable expectation, of course, but North East improv group The Suggestibles (who recently celebrated their 8th birthday) manage to sidestep this strange negotiation between performer and punter.
If you haven’t seen them before, their mantra is simple and stunningly accurate: you provide the suggestions, they provide the laughs.
Tuesday’s show at the Newcastle Stand, which marked the beginning of The Suggestibles’ monthly residency at the venue, was my third viewing of the North East troupe in as many months.
The last was at the Stand’s media launch back in October, when they had about ten minutes on stage, in front of a difficult crowd, and never quite got into their rhythm in such a short spot.
That’s probably because a lot of what they do relies on the trust of an audience; to offer what lead Suggestible Ian McLaughlin describes as “positive heckles”, and to sit patiently when things don’t quite go according to plan (like the awkward routine where the group attempt to dub each other’s voices.)
Anyone blinkered enough to think women “aren’t funny” just needs to take a look at Bev Fox, the glue that binds this wonderfully likeable group. Unlike a lot of improv troupes, The Suggestibles rarely rely on recurring characters, and they don’t seem to run with a specific script, either. As a result, confident comic actors like Fox thrive, and the chemistry she shares with Ian McLaughlin and Carl Kennedy in particular is there for us all to see.
McLaughlin himself probably produced the most memorable sketch of the night as far as I’m concerned, lugging his top over his head to create a truly grotesque character called Charlotte. It’s a simple prop but it works so well.
The “simple yet effective” mantra stands guest Suggestible Rob Atkinson in good stead. Anyone lucky enough to see the superb play Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather (directed by Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood) will recognise Atkinson; he stole the show then and the crowd loved him at The Stand, too.
I’m personally not keen on seeing the thick Geordie stereotype perpetuated further, but there’s no denying Atkinson’s character is a hit with the audience.
Improv musician Alex Ross completed the line-up for the night. His contribution was mainly limited to backing vocals and a slick impression of an English officer – I’d love to see a bit more of him in future shows…
Overall, though, The Suggestibles are extremely satisfying.
If you’re the type of person who likes being the centre of attention, they’ll allow you to become a part of the show – “positive heckling”, remember. If you think female comics aren’t funny then you’ve a) not watched enough live comedy, and b) probably not seen Bev Fox before. And if you’re not a “greatest hits” kind of person (i.e. you want a constant stream of new material), then this group will give you a fresh experience every single time.
If you’re coming in from the cold, The Suggestibles may just change your perception of what live comedy is all about.
