Every now and then you have a show that’s just perfect in nearly every way that it’s so hard to do it justice using our limited English lexicon. (That’s right, I said lexicon when I could’ve just said language, I’m pretentious now, what of it?)
This month’s show was one of them. Despite a smaller audience size than usual, the audience we did have were great, every single act was on form (including me, which is an increasingly rare occurrence) and the vibes were just full of merriment all around.
Opening the show, we had the always fabulous Bobbie Jones. What more is there to say about her? There’s a reason she’s a favourite of our little gay room, whether she’s telling jokes that would make gay dads groan or exploring the depths of whimsy never before encountered by humankind. Bobbie is an expert comic mind attached to an expert comic voice box that is going to have you in stitches by the end of the night (because of how much you’ll be laughing, she doesn’t make you do any exercise, dw).
Next, we had a first timer at Blizzard by the name of Yogie Belle, who might be one of the most bizarre acts we’ve ever had on our stage, which is a tall order when this line up also featured Stephen Catling and Foxdog Studios.
Yogie does ASMR comedy, and his set is rife with auditory creativity and narrations that enhance the already great gags written into it. I’ve never seen or heard anything like this before, and it is an experience that you need to have at least once. A true clown, a confident performer, and an ingenious comic voice.
Following the break, Vix Leyton made her debut with us as well, and what a treat she is. Vix is an instantly likable presence, holding the room in the palm of her hand hanging onto every word she says, and not a single word was wasted. Vix may have been the least weird act on tonight, so it speaks volumes that without any gimmicks she held her own leaving a lasting impression on one of the wackiest line-ups we’ve ever managed to put together. A comic veteran who may very well be the next big thing, and deservedly so.
Then we had good old Stephen Catling – who’s performed with us a lot recently, yet always manages to bring something fresh and equally weird each time. Stephen is a comedian whose act defies description as nothing truly captures the genius of his expertly curated physical prop comedy and musical interpolations.
Stephen is such a hard-working creative mind and even when you think he can’t possibly outdo himself again, he only goes and does it. An act never short of wacky ideas to entertain you with, and an act who it is impossible to get bored of.
And closing the show we had the musical tech wizardry of Foxdog Studios. Another act who it’s hard to really describe if you haven’t seen them. Think if both members of Flight of the Conchords were also Mat Ewins. Delightfully silly performers with a mastery over integrated tech, creating comic experiences you aren’t going to get with any other act.
They bounce off of each other perfectly, their set is full of memorable and creative set pieces that will blow the mind of anyone not tech savvy, and indeed anyone who is. Foxdog are a rare breed who don’t only have the skills to pull off some of the most original interactive comedy the world has ever seen, but also the ideas to create them in the first place.
Foxdog Studios are a tour de force and are constantly evolving and honing their act guaranteeing an unforgettable experience. Just for the love of god go and see them if you haven’t already.
And that was the show! It was so good as anyone who was there can attest to – but even if you weren’t there you’ve got a chance to experience it via twitch.tv/blizzardcomedy at 7:30pm on Monday 16th October, and for 14 days after the fact.
And you can book tickets to our next show featuring previews from Chris Cantrill and Maxine Wade here now and our November show featuring headline act Tom Mayhew here.
