Monday night is comedy night at the Fringe bar on Oxford Street (yes they nick London names here; Liverpool Street, Hyde Park, Paddington…and the funniest thing is that Oxford Street is the gay district). I’ve only known Fringe bar previously in its Friday night set up, complete with disco ball and Kylie tunes, so it was a pleasant surprise to find little candle lit tables and the smell of good food. Next time I won’t have dinner before going.
I say next time because, on the whole, it was a very enjoyable evening and will likely be repeated. There were two billed stand-up comedians and one ‘host’. The host was the reason for the phrase ‘on the whole.’ Each time he spoke I wanted him to stop, immediately. A wanna-be comedian with not much talent. In his first set he used the phrase ‘Yes we’re here at Fringe bar on a Monday night’ about eight times, but I’m not cruel and could forgive him monotony. He was probably nervous. No, it was his attempt at comedy which made me dislike him intently. He used the cheapest form of humour; making fun of people.
I admit that to make fun of Americans (as the first billed comedian did) or other groups of people is standard in a stand-up routine. As an audience you cannot be too defensive or sensitive, as you know they’re just playing on stereotypes. The headliner of the night filled most of his time making fun of himself. Great show.
The host, however, tried audience participation. He went around the front section of the room asking questions. When he got to our table he received such a cold response he knew to move on immediately, thank goodness. He hit his jackpot however on a couple on their third date. Many sexual innuendos followed, accompanied by many vulgar gestures. As the evening went on, he stopped using innuendos and just started being plain rude. It was like watching lad talk, but with the girl sitting right there. Not funny, just embarrassing.
I would not have wanted to experience the after date conversation, if there was any.
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