Review of the Month
First Fridays are Fabulous Fun at the ACE Centre
ACE Centre, Nelson
Pennine Lancashire is spawning a plethora of top-notch comedy clubs, gigs and festivals at the moment; so before I’m tempted to dub the place ‘the comedy capital of the north’ it seemed a good move to sample the laugh-o-meter at the first of three fairly new comedy club venues dotted around the patch.
As the calendar flies, the first date in the diary was the aptly named ‘First Friday Frolics’ at the ACE Centre; a spanking new multi-purpose arts and entertainment venue in Nelson town centre.
Once inside, the first port of call is a very comfy bar/bistro area where the comedy night meal deal of a ticket, a curry and a pint (glass of wine) went down a treat.
Into the auditorium, thankfully set up in cabaret style, (the perfect format for digesting a good comedian), and packed to the rafters with an already buzzing audience. MC for the night was Mancunian Alan Donegan, who provided a slick set, some sparky segues for his comedy compatriots to link into, and an impressive talent for combining laid-back humour with razor sharp wit. A snug fit to keep the chuckles rolling between the more full-on acts before and after.
First up to the mic was Ben Schofield, a Yorkshire comic who turned out to be a hirsute cross between spacey Brian – the rabbit from the Magic Roundabout – and any random member of the Grateful Dead. Just about the funniest and most original comic of the night; the nearest living comparison would be an early version of Bill Bailey before the mega-star, stadium-orbiting phase.
Next up was Gordon Smith, complete with miniature (Fisher Price?) ghetto blaster, and on the face of it, a most unassuming character. A bit like a witless builder’s apprentice – without derry boots or a clue – hiding his light behind a droll, deadpan delivery before unleashing a series of punchlines to hit the funny-bone like the proverbial brick.
By now, our sides were aching with laughter and the interval provided time to look over this impressive new venue. As a comedy gig it fits the bill admirably; big enough to attract talent but small enough to retain the intimate atmosphere of the very best comedy clubs. Free parking and a fast-moving bar with decent prices and Amstel on tap too.
Part two featured Huddersfield based headliner Kevin Dewsbury. A deceptively wide-eyed and innocent looking chap with an equally wide comic repertoire that veered effortlessly between meandering tales, killer one-liners and a goody bag packed with hilarious accents to spice up the material.
All in all, this was a wet winter’s night where the cockles were well and truly warmed. The mix of good comedy, a smashing venue and a great audience and atmosphere made for a ‘well worth the effort’ night out.
Friday Frolics takes place on the first Friday of the month featuring a different line-up every time. Seriously – you don’t need to fork out for a high-profile, over exposed TV quiz panellist and a seat in a 10,000 capacity stadium to get a laugh these days. Whoever gets off on stadium scale comedy – with its impossible sightlines, pinhead sized performers strutting about half a mile away and bad acoustics with wallet-busting prices? There’s no contest when you can experience four bubbling talents, a curry and a pint for half the price in the Pendle corner of Pennine Lancashire.
Go to www.acecentre.co.uk to check out what’s in store next month.
Also keep your eyes peeled for King George’s Hall Frog & Bucket Comedy Nights and Burnley Mechanics’ Jester Society Comedy Club – all taking place regularly in Pennine Lancashire.