Sunday afternoon at The Star of Kings on November 23rd was G&B’s Abandoning The Comfort Zone show. This is the show where the acts try their hands at something completely different and out of their performance comfort zone. And what a fabulously crazy afternoon it turned out to be. First to the stage was the rock legend Tommy Knocker (aka Jim Hooker) and the rock quiz of the ages. It was then over to the sartorially fabulous Chris Cowan and the crowd work confessional before Barbara Fernandez gave us a little burlesque musical number that was by definition the craziest fun we ever had. Isaac Kirby then leapt out of his comfort zone with his first ever gig and a teddy bear tale no one will ever forget. After Isaac was Grace Miller and the deep joys of being a “well respected” teacher. Closing the first half we had the brilliant Tom Draper and the crappest ever World Book day, but the best ever Gerry Adams impression.
After the break we got off to a cracking start thanks to the hilarious Tracey Bowman. Tracey’s not a fan of naming kids after where they were conceived, which must be a relief to her daughter who narrowly missed being called Ford Mondeo. Next was Robert Idel – who is indisputably heterosexual – and the ultimate in abandoning of comfort zones…if you’re German. After Robert we had a true honour with HRH Elizabeth II (aka Tony Carr) and why talking to the common man is rather hard work for one. Freddie Cornwell then did the slowest strip since the Fourth Road Bridge before Arthur Mitchell advised against doing an improv eulogy. Next was Irish Republican Agony (AKA Paul Bradley) and why, just why. The teeth, apparently. Mark Rivlin then abandoned his usual one-liner onslaught to give us a memorable tale of the middle classes. Closing the show was the non-stop crazy that is sketch troupe Tuxedo Cat. From AI tampons to inconvenient plumbers, TC closed the show as only an afternoon like this could be…by some vigorous crotch punching.
Well, that was another brilliant Abandoning The Comfort Zone show. I love these gig because they’re all about getting back to playing with your comedy and doing something just for the pure fun of it. Our next one will be in February.