Bowled Over Comedy at The Balham Bowls Club Thurs, 6th September: The Return

Birthday's come but once a year and last night saw The Balham Bowls Club play host to resident night Bowled Over Comedy's 2nd.

And fist gig back after the summer break for the night that has become synonymous with both classy stand up and celebrity studded improv.

The night opened with the occasionally surreal and justifiably loveable Phil Higgins followed by the wonderful Julian England before being closed out by the always hilarious Sarah Pascal.

Unfortunately due to a weird bout of nerves and the fact I was supposed be hosting a Speed Date event I missed the entire bloody half. Gutted I missed those three.

Nonetheless I got to see the irrepressible Don Biswas open the second. I dragged Don down to The Alma in Farnham not long ago and he stormed it there so I was looking forward to seeing some of his new, more political material and he didn't disappoint. I loved him, the crowd loved him and the combination of old and new material worked a dream. If you've seen him before, it's time to see him again and if you haven't, you're in for a treat.

I popped on after Don, a wonderful but intimidating act to follow. Having been focussing on hosting and writing for the last year and a half this was my first proper set in bloody ages and, loathe as I am to admit it, I was bricking it. I've decided to reset the comedy button after such a break and reworked one of my first ever sets. I wouldn't say I knocked anyone out but it was just good to get back on stage, steal a few laughs and at least slap a couple of punters a bit.

Then came Juliet Stevens. I love watching Juliet with her tightly constructed yet rambling tales and she delivered last night. I still can't get 'It's porn... But it's TV... but it's porn..." out of  my head. I'll be popping down to her night - The Good Ship Comedy Club - in Kilburn on Monday so hopefully see some of you there.

And Bowled Over Comedy's 2nd birthday was headlined by the absolutely marvelous Jimmy Bird. Gag after gag was delivered through an occasionally perplexed, often cute, and always confident persona that provided the perfect vehicle for his often surreal set ups. And his Mum and Dad are lovely.






The great thing about Bowed Over nights at The Balham Bowls Club is that it's such a lovely room, the crowd is always receptive and its just a great venue to play.

Bowled Over will be back with an Improv night on October the 4th with Stand Up back on November 1st.

Stay tuned.