Blackpool’s most established comedy club The Comedy Station is opening its doors every Friday throughout the season. The popular events, now based in Viva Cabaret Showbar’s Round Room, host a range of comedic talent compered by long-standing resident extraordinaire, and local celebrity, Ryan Gleeson. A comedian and compere since 1997, Ryan has been in his current role with the Comedy Station for 11 years. When asked what sort of comedian he is, his answer “a hilarious one” pretty much sums him up. He puts his own uncanny spin on the evening’s events.
Visiting the show on Friday, we were unsure what to expect. The usual events on the first Thursday of every month are catered to local humour, but the added shows on Friday evenings bring a whole new series of funnies to a tourist audience. Obviously there are difficulties to this and the heckling of stags can really put the comedians into hot water, but here the key to greatness is being able to take a joke or situation that has flopped and turn it into a success.
The line up on Friday was headed up by Roland Gent, followed by James Anfield and Adam Blaize. The headlining act was Tony Burgess, better known for his character DJ Troy in BBC3 sitcom Ideal, performing alongside Johnny Vegas.
All of the acts brought variety and pace to the evening’s proceedings and Tony Burgess held the stage with a comfortable presence, proving why he is an award-winning act. They kept us in our seats with humour and pace changes, responding with skill whatever the situation or heckle!
Special mention has to be made of the two support acts, James Anfield and Adam Blaize. Both young – and in the case of Anfield, low in experience after only nine months of stand up gigs – and yet not only did they bring great humour to the stage, they were not pushed around by the numerous and gigantic Swansea stags who had been keen to register their presence in the room. James worked his cheeky charm on them whilst short but sweet Adam accepted a bone crunching hug from a bushy eyed hulk of a Welsh man without so much as a stumble or trip in his routine.
If you are looking for a bit of bawdy fun on a Friday night then head on down to the Comedy Station at Viva where you will certainly not be disappointed – there are also locals discounts available on these nights. If a slightly less touristy comedy night is your thing, then the popular locals’ nights continue on the first Thursday of every month but you will need to book early for these to avoid disappointment.
Photos courtesy of Gemma Louise Blakely Photography
Show Comments (0)