Our first week back after summer break was only a three gig week, but it turned out to be three awesome gigs! Wednesday at The Bell was a cracker of a night, full of surprises. First to the stage was the brilliant Declan Evans who doesn’t believe The bell is haunted; he’s been drinking there since 1878 and he’s seen nothing. It was then over to Rohan Ashar and just why the train is waaaay better than even electric cars. We then had Mr Corporate, Phillip Cornwall, and this week’s buzz phrase for the office: objectively facilitating holistic alignments. Prakash Mistry then told us that he’s here to study English history, while avoiding the “C” word: colonialism. After Prakash was Matt Withers who wonders why making horses look a little bit like they are possibly dancing can be an Olympic spot. Walter Tenhaaf then explained why people should puts name tags in their underwear before Mr Pyjamaman (aka Will Pease) had some audience members get in touch with their inner horse and clown. Before our first half headliner, we had the one and only Jimbo, who recreated one of his classic sets from The Royal George where he totally trashed the stage by rolling backwards off it. You had to be there. Closing the first half was Paul Moore and why The London marathon is just Gay Pride for heterosexuals who’re a bit anal about the whole time and distance model.
After the break we got off to an aisle start thanks to Eoghan Collins and the problems Freud had with the Irish. Morgan DeVere then told us just why the gilet is the mullet of the jacket world. Our next act really upset our audience and I’d like to take the opportunity here to apologise for that. Yes, Brian Pham (pictured) left the room devastated that he was heading back home to New York next day and this was the last they’d be seeing him. Brian had to room in hysterics and despite maybe not getting the best advice for his chosen life coach – PornHub – we couldn’t get enough of him. Nick Morey then confessed to working with some of the most toxic, poisonous creatures known to man. He works in PR. After Nick was Connor Bell, who turned out to be the evening’s stud muffin. Hot on Nick’s heels was Neil Davies and the three tips for a long and healthy life and how to effectively avoid your sell-by date. Godfrey Mercado was next with just why we might be teaching kids all the wrong life values. The evening penultimate act was Jamie Dean, a man who’s great at conflict resolution and can defuse any situation by making everyone concerned so uncomfortable they just leave. Closing the show was the fabulous Barbara Fernandez. Back from her month in Edinburgh, Barbara’s voice and energy is still going strong and had them clapping and singing along last night.
So that was another cracking night at The Bell. Headlining next Wednesday we’ve Indi Madray and Phil Green.