Summer is getting ever nearer and that means it’s Edinburgh previews time! As someone who hasn’t been able to get up to Edinburgh at all for over ten years now. I always enjoy putting these shows on and getting to see some of my favourite local acts showcase and develop what they’ve been working hard on for years, in some cases.
A tight 10 is one skill – doing a solid 20 or a headlining 30 are also different skills. But I don’t know how you’d even begin to approach to doing a whole hour with a narrative and thematic throughline whilst keeping it engaging, entertaining and memorable.
I’m forever in awe of people who do that. I’m hoping my own attempt (whenever that may be *wink wink*) manages to be better from watching so many wonderful and varied acts translate what makes them good set comics into a wildly different context and medium.
Starting the preview season at Blizzard Comedy this year we had Sam Serrano. Sam is an unstoppable force. They’re so witty, so naturally funny and engaging, and are one of the few comics I know that could slay both in our wonderful inclusive safe space show and in dingy flat roof pubs in a room full of people who think homosexuality should be recriminalized. They’re just that good and versatile.
But even I, who have seen them smash gigs on many occasions now, was utterly thrown by how deep and personal their debut hour goes. They’ve always been one to cover dark topics about their personal life, but this whole narrative was so honest and soul bearing, that you are forced into a state of empathising before you even realized it’s happened.
I won’t go into details as I don’t want to spoil the show, but Sam Serrano’s debut hour is a masterfully crafted comedy journey about some almost uncomfortably honest happenings to them, delivered with the skill and grip of the world’s greatest public speakers in or out of comedy. Even in this early WIP stage, where they missed bits out and had to backtrack once or twice, and even contending with a room of 2 increasing fivefold a quarter of the way into their set, Sam’s show was intensely gripping and intensely hysterical.
They are an intensely funny person, and their stories are jaw-droppingly visceral in some instances, expertly relieved with some of the tightest punchlines and cleverest set constructions you’ll ever here. Keep an eye on this show, and definitely go and see it if they do a preview near you.
Our second preview was from Ryan Kenny – one of the loveliest people on the circuit and one of the most confidently bonkers acts I’ve ever seen (and we aren’t exactly known for being coy with the fucking weird acts we platform). Ryan’s show is based on a core idea and joke that is clear less than half way into the show – yet he still manages to keep it unpredictable and building on the structure as the show goes on, even when you think he can’t possibly outdo the previous segment.
I try and keep these write ups vague enough that nothing is spoiled for you, so I won’t go into details – but Ryan Kenny’s show is a masterclass in slapstick, deadpan, joke writing, set structure, and committing to the bit. If you’ve seen Ryan before you know how good his writing and performance is, but seeing him do an hour for the first time was an experience to behold. He absolutely thrives with the format.
Whether it’s poems or one liners, or deadpan clowning, or avant-garde deconstructions, the show gets surprisingly profound with its nonsense, and elicits the kind of belly laughter that cleanses all negative emotion and resets you no matter how stressful of a time you’ve been having lately. Ryan Kenny is one of the greats of the Manchester circuit – and every time I see him, he just keeps getting better. You owe it to yourself to catch his show if you can, one of the most delightful experiences of my life.
All in all, a very successful start to the preview season. Our next previews are at the Castle Inn on Monday 22nd May with the utterly incredible Cerys Bradley and firm favourite of Blizzard Hannah Platt. Seats always sell modestly for these shows, which is a shame because they’re always so much fun. If you’d like to come you can reserve your free ticket here – and you absolutely should like to come, as these are some of the most fun I have watching stand-up ever, something which I do as my only hobby and personality trait.
