Komedia: Gemma Arrowsmith: Earthling

Gemma Arrowsmith: Earthling

Studio at Komedia

Sat 17th February

In 1977 NASA launched Voyagers 1 and 2 into deepest, darkest space, carrying with them carefully selected information about life on planet Earth. Cast out like ‘a message in a bottle into the cosmic ocean’, golden phonographs containing sounds, music, diagrams, speeches and more are drifting through the vast unknown, waiting to be intercepted… Have they already been discovered?

‘Humans are the self-appointed guardians of Earth, though they are not doing a good job and are vastly outnumbered by other species...including the Beetle',  is a fitting introductory remark on the subject of humans, delivered by a respected alien professor who begins Arrowsmith’s one hour, one person sketch show. With the help of Wikipedia, video clips, multiple accents and an astounding imagination, Arrowsmith reflects on the idiosyncrasies that characterise the human species. Outstanding wit and passion-fuelled energy, power hilarious and educational sketches which supply us with the fascinating reasons behind our choice of representations to our universal neighbours, or not in the case of the Beatles song ‘Here Comes the Sun’. Censorship of the human body leading to a more abstract notion of reproduction, the omission of arrows from solar system diagrams and an ECG of a woman newly in love, are just a few of the points of discussion.

Exceptional writing talent, recognisable from 'The Now Show' and 'The Tracey Ullman Show', blended with a childhood space obsession and delivered in a fervent performance ignites our curiosity and compels us to deeply reflect on that which we take as normal. This is a stellar, cynical, observational comedy which emphasises the astonishing potential of humans and their future, so long as they do not blow themselves up.

4.5/5

gemmaarrowsmith.com/gigs/earthling                                                              

Brightonscience.com

#EarthlingShow

@mmaarrow

@KomediaBrighton

Komedia: Alfie Moore

What better way to spend your Sunday evening than nestled away in the cosy Komedia listening to the northern tones of a copper taking a sabbatical? Not that many, as it turns out.

Alfie Moore is every inch the policeman and as a result has access to a plethora of material that just isn't available to most other stand up comedians. You can forget the  'ello 'ello 'ello, this material draws on the varied and sometimes harrowing career of the copper from Skegness. He wanted to be Sipowicz, but endless red tape and pointless training courses caused the dream to fall by the wayside, along with countless other victims of 20^th century killjoys.

Moore describes his humour as dark. It's certainly cynical, as befits someone who has dealt for years with the justice system that will allow a teenager to carry firearms, but not purchase a goldfish. There's plenty of scope for him to have his say on current affairs, middle management and the general state of the world, and all in the easy conversational tone that only the police know how to carry off.

This is not a polished piece. With so much material Moore sometimes has a tendency to lose his thread, but all threads are neatly tied up with a solid structure that leaves the audience wanting more from Moore. His delivery is laid back, delicate and skilful as he handles subject matter which could be potentially disastrous in insensitive hands.  

3.5/5 - It's funny, it's balanced and it's a great way to spend an evening.

Komedia: The Maydays: Confessions

The Maydays: Confessions
The Komedia

Deep and dirty, anonymous confessions from audience members being spun into improvised comedy and songs. Curiosity was at the top of the bill as a friend and I sat in the wonderful Komedia, bearing the last of our shameless souls to each other. The curiosity quickly died as we witnessed a long, drawn-out party piece sink like the Titanic.

The illumination of the skeletons of fellow viewing friends and the occasional clever song lyric afforded the odd giggle from people who did not know The Maydays on a personal basis; however, many of the sketches stagnated and lacked the skill required to provide the audience with a quality evening of entertainment. 

Stand-up comedy is one of the most challenging acts in the entertainment world and the very idea of improvised stand-up is enough to make the knees of any professional quiver. We all have much love for the improvised stand up sections of 'Mock the Week', and even those are scripted. What are the odds that an amateur group are going to consistently deliver comedy gold over the space of an hour, even with the supply of material from an excellent source? Probably similar to that of Honduras winning the World Cup.

1/ 5 – Great idea, very brave, but incredibly ambitious. Would be better suited to an audience of family and friends.