Review: Comedy @ Glastonbury 2013
In previous years, I’ve visited Glastonbury’s Cabaret Tent as a comedy fan. It offers stand-up, spoken-word and, thankfully, an alternative to the Arctic Monkeys. This year’s line-up, we’re told, features special guests from the worlds of music and science. In reality, it features Brian Cox.
Marcus Brigstocke’s Policy Unit provides an excellent opening to the festival. Brigstocke, with the help of Phil Nichol and Matt Kirschen, aims to solve the problems of modern life. A lot of the recommendations are mental, but agreement is reached when someone suggests that every television presenter from the 1970s should be arrested. The material is topical and off-the-cuff, and Policy Unit brings in a good crowd. In this environment, it works really well.
Next up, we’ve got Attila the Stockbroker. Attila is a Glastonbury legend, whose brand of punk poetry pays homage to the festival’s roots. Beyond its hummus and pitta bread exterior, Glastonbury has a political edge that’s often lost. Attila rounds on bankers, Thatcher and the Daily Mail, and his set is greeted with spontaneous applause. Whilst it’s not comedy, it’s a fantastic addition to the Cabaret Tent.
Following on from Attila the Stockbroker, puppeteer Bob Hartman takes to the stage. Hartman is armed with a dog and talks mostly about “pooping”. No one really knows what’s going on and, within minutes, he apologises and leaves.
After a quick break, Shazia Mirza is welcomed to the Cabaret Tent. Mirza’s material is observational, political and self-deprecating. She delivers a superbly polished set, despite most of the audience being passed out and/or tripping. In another venue, Mirza would’ve stormed it. She’s likeable and genuinely funny.
Saturday night sees Abandoman entertain the crowd. Abandoman is an improv-rap four-piece, fronted by Irishman Rob Broderick. In one song, Broderick plays match-maker. In another, he quips about items put forward by the audience. Broderick is an incredibly gifted comedian and one of my highlights of the festival.
[pullquote_right]”When I stride up to the microphone I find six people sitting at my feet, and so I decide to declare myself the new Messiah and the six as my apostles. I can’t remember a great deal about the next 25 minutes except that I soon ceded the Messiahship to Dave, whose message was that we should all be drunk and enjoy Glastonbury” – Arthur Smith[/pullquote_right]
Saturday’s headliner Mark Watson delivers a typically dynamic end to the day. I’m a huge fan of Watson’s, so wasn’t surprised to see him at ease with a festival crowd. His routine is unpredictable, but free-flowing. As always, his tried and tested material (such as the bouncy castle song) proves a big hit with the audience. On this form, there are very few comedians who can compete with Watson.
Notable mentions also go to Tom Deacon, Arthur Smith and Cocoloco, who manage to deal with an audience who are either hopelessly hammered or too busy counting their toes.
All in all, the Cabaret Tent strikes the right balance between well-known faces and young up-and-comers, and it always provides a fantastic alternative to the main arenas. If you end up going to Glastonbury next year, I urge you to visit the Cabaret Tent for an unplanned hour or two. You’ll see an array of talent and meet some great people.
[quote]
Glastonbury’s Hidden Secrets
- Monster Comedy Shack – Monster Comedy Shack is the world’s smallest comedy club. It hosts twelve shows a day and is based in a garden shed.
- The Sol Cinema – The Sol Cinema is a unique eight-seater cinema in the heart of Bella’s Field. It shows six hours of films a day and takes independent cinemas to a new level.
- Christopher Janney’s Sonic Forest – Sonic Forest offers a unique, interactive soundscape that adapts to movement. It’s seconds away from the Cabaret Tent and should not be missed.
- The Miniscule of Sound – The world’s smallest nightclub. As you’d expect, dress code is strict. Havin’ it large!
- Total Eclipse of the Head – Let the music inspire a change of hairstyle, from Kate Bush to a Power Mullet Montage. I came home looking like Cheryl Baker! [/quote]
