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Critic's choice: top five comedy shows
By Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard 09.08.07
In control: ex-boxer Ricky Grover will enjoy the crowd at Jongleurs
Look here too
The Camden Fringe continues, ex-boxer Ricky Grover takes on the crowd at Jongleurs, Greg Davies is at the Comedy Store and The Ornate Johnsons end their run at the Arts Theatre this weekend.
Camden Fringe
Etcetera Theatre & Liberties Bar, NW1
More north London festival fun with special afternoon gigs and back-to-back shows running each evening. Highlights this weekend include off-the-wall sketch group Nice Mum (Etcetera, until 11 August, 7.30pm) and cuddly camp comic Chris Neill (Etcetera, until 11 August, 9pm), who claims to have grown a beard just for the occasion. Full details at www.camdenfringe.org. (020 7482 4857). Until 26 August.
The Ornate Johnsons
Arts Theatre, WC2
Your last chances to catch the Edwardian-themed soirée from this versatile sketch troupe with many years of experience under their belts. Brace yourselves for a comic look at the Polar expeditions, the lives of the Pankhursts and the sinking of the Titanic. The spirit of the Two Ronnies lives on. (0870 060 1742) Until 11 August, 9.30pm, Sundays 7.30pm.
Greg Davies
Comedy Store, SW1
These days towering comedian Greg Davies is best known as a third of deliciously deranged trio We Are Klang, but he reverts to solo stand-up mode for these gigs and is well worth the entry price on his own. The shindigs are made even more appealing by appearances from Bergerac-obsessed Will Smith, Canadian gagsmith Angelo Tsarouchas and smart, skilful Alun Cochrane.
(0870 060 2340). Until Saturday, 8pm and midnight.
Ricky Grover
Jongleurs, Camden
For anyone who enjoys their comedy complete with nachos and the obligatory raucous hen party to your left, you cannot beat this Camden venue. The audience can sometimes be distracting, but commanding ex-boxer Grover ought to be able to control the crowd. Look out also for experienced character comic Mandy Knight, Phil Butler, Anthony J Brown and marvellous magician Danny Buckler. (0870 787 0707). Friday-Saturday, 10-11 August, 7pm.
Jeff Innocent
Big Night Out Covent Garden, WC2
If you liked Simon Day's fictional cockney eco-warrior Dave Angel on The Fast Show, you'll love Jeff Innocent, who is the real thing - an educated working-class bloke who sounds like one of the Krays, but is greener than a kilo of cabbage. Support comes from rapier-sharp stand-up Hal Cruttenden and Jeremy O'Donnell. Compere is Marc Lucero. (07092 095401) Saturday 11 August, 7.45pm.
