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Critic's choice: Best comedy shows
Evening Standard 16.02.07
Irish comic Ed Byrne is at Hammersmith's Riverside Studios
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Ed Byrne vents his anger at the Riverside Studios, Pete Firman brings a bit of magic to NW1 and stage newcomers get the chance to rub shoulders with a film star at the Maestro Impro Show...
Ed Byrne
Riverside Studios, W6
Ireland seems to churn out top comedians faster than it turns out boy bands. Long-haired laugh merchant Byrne steers clear of the traditional post-Joycean whimsy as practised by the likes of Dylan Moran, favouring a straight road towards the punchline. In his latest show he is raging against everything from Jade Goody to ticket touts. (020 8237 1111). Until 3 March, 7.45pm. Sundays, 6pm; not Mon.
Pete Firman
Etcetera Theatre, NW1
If you are partial to a bit of magic with your comedy, Firman, whom TV viewers will recognise from numerous Five shows and as a pundit on various C4 Top 100s, is the best of the bunch. With his straggly black hair and relentless patter, Firman could probably be Ross Noble's stunt double, but he is a skilled entertainer in his own right. (020 7482 4857). Thursday & Friday, 9.30pm.
Frankie Boyle
Comedy Store, SW1
Scottish stand-up Frankie Boyle has a big following north of the border and, thanks to his brutally deadpan warped one-liners on BBC's Mock the Week, he is building up a similarly devoted following in England. Not bad for a comedian who looks scarily like the Bear from Bo Selecta. Boyle is joined here by Martin Coyote, Mickey Flanagan, Jim Jeffries and others. (0870 060 2340). Friday 16 Feb & Saturday 17 Feb, 8pm & midnight.
Maestro Impro Show
Central School of Speech & Drama, NW3
It is not every day that stage newcomers get the chance to rub shoulders with a feted film star, but this end-of-the-course showcase for students taking part in Central's How To Act conference will be joined by Toby Jones, recently seen on screen as Truman Capote in Infamous. Improvisation's eminence gris Keith Johnstone will also be on hand to offer expert direction and, best of all, tickets are free. (08700 600100). Saturday 17 Feb, 5.30pm.
