Manchester Comedy Store - 19/01/12

While up north visiting the better half, we decided to pop to The Comedy Store on Deansgate Locks in Manchester for a cheeky spot of cheap stand up. Tickets were only a tenner and because she’s a student she got in for a fiver! Every Thursday apparently so if you’re ever stuck for something to do, I’d suggest going there.

It’s not like the acts were matching the price either. Former host of The Friday Night Project Rob Rouse was the excellent compere while Mike Gunn and Sean Collins, who have both been on Michael MacIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, provided the bread in this comedy sandwich, with Mickey Sharma the meat.

Rob’s easy going and relaxed style worked well with the small crowd in the Helter Skelter bar, and despite the staircase in the middle of the room, it still felt pretty intimate. He showed patience with a few members of the audience who’d had a few to drink, but eventually put them in there place with huge comic effect.

Mike Gunn and Mickey Sharma were polar opposites but both fared the same; a few laughs but didn’t exactly have everyone rolling in the aisles. Gunn’s nervous style seemed to be passed on to the audience while Sharma tried too many ‘brown man’ jokes for a predominantly white crowd.

Thankfully, they saved the best ‘til last, with Sean Collins’ relaxed, half-drunk gags going down a storm. He played the crowd perfectly, and his timing in delivering the fatal punchline blow was exquisite, using his bottle of beer as an excuse to pause and draw the crowd in.

From caravans to drugs, and sex to children, Collins covered a wide range of material all to the same result; laughter. He nailed a room that the other comics (Rouse excluded) seemed to find hard to crack and ensured everyone left the building with a smile on their face.

All this for a tenner, some great food and cracking beer, we’ll definitely be visiting again. Check out what is on at the Comedy Store near you on www.comedystore.co.uk.

SB

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