Aisling Bea, Tunbridge Wells
Most people seem agreed that 2014 wasn’t a vintage year for the British Comedy Awards, but one striking moment came when Irish stand-up and actor Aisling Bea won the gong for best female television comic. Bea saw off heavy competition from Bridget Christie, Isy Suttie and Nina Conti, and the accolade is recognition of a deservedly vertiginous rise to fame – she’s gone from new act contests to taking the stage at Live At The Apollo in just a couple of years. The secret to her success is the infectious warmth of her stage persona: you feel as if you’ve turned up at her birthday party and, as hostess, she is going to work her socks off to help you have a good time. It’s also down to plenty of great material rooted in her rural background. Bea’s not too cool to downplay her inner bumpkin, and her evocations of awkward Irish teenagerdom give rise to plenty of laughs.
Trinity, Sat
Jerry Sadowitz, London
The teacup-storm that erupted over Dapper Laughs before Christmas exposed all sorts of raw nerves among comedians and online commenters. Why do “leftie liberal” publications like the Guardian find it unacceptable for Essex geezer Dapper to threaten to rape someone during a gig, while at the same time endorsing Jerry Sadowitz, who comes out with as bad or worse on a nightly basis? Well, Sadowitz has a few get outs – the least of which is that he’s hysterically funny. Unlike Dapper Laughs, we’re never under any illusions that we want to be like this self-lacerating old misanthrope. When Sadowitz says breathtakingly offensive things about missing children or much-loved celebrities, he isn’t acting as a role model. He’s more of a pressure valve, emitting clouds of poisonous gas so that the audience can feel slightly better about themselves. Also, unlike Dapper Laughs, he’s extremely good at card tricks.
Leicester Square Theatre, WC2, Sat & Fri
Slapstick Festival, Bristol
Bristol’s annual celebration of physical comedy has expanded considerably since its inception 10 years ago. Now an eclectic variety of events – screenings, talks, live performances – it has also gained a much wider frame of reference. The black-and-white antics of Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy still have their place, but there’s a greater focus than before on present-day practitioners of the slapstick arts. Vic and Bob (pictured) are guests of honour, taking part in a Q&A (25 Jan) and receiving an award for their many years in comedy. This makes sense: while well known for surreal wordplay, the duo’s commitment to exquisite pratfalls sits them in a lineage stretching back to the days of silent film. Also taking part are Chris Addison (Fri), national treasure Barry Cryer, who’ll be talking about his work for Morecambe and Wise (20 Mar) and Griff Rhys Jones, remembering his late comedy partner Mel Smith (24 Jan).
Various venues, Sat & Thu to 20 Mar
