| Vox Night | Past Vox Nights |
Review by Ollie Francis:
(Photos to follow soon.)
I don’t know about anyone else, but the VOX Comedy Special had me holding my hands to my face on more than one occasion to try to contain some shred of dignity while the tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. A massive, big shout out to all those involved in pushing me through the laughter barrier and out the other side into gibbering idiot territory.
Ryan Offut welcomed the crowds, giving us a taste of his Mama’s pies through the gift of song, before bringing his band of Monkey Butlers to the stage to entertain us with their improvised (and much improved!) comedy genius. Moving from swimming pool perverts to licking badgers and giant caterpillars (you had to be there…), the phrase ‘help is flowing through my body’ is still making me giggle like a school-girl.
Our first guest poet, Chella, went on to grab everyone’s attention with her boundary-breaking, risqué reading of her fanzine ‘Adventures in Menstruating’. Never before have the crowds of VOX had to cope with such competing feelings of shock, awe and blinding laughter at once. I would say that she left her mark on VOX, but that has a whole other meaning for me now… An absolute must-see act: Cutting-edge and controversial (just what we like here at VOX… J)
VOX was then pleased to welcome back Speakeasy poet Sarah Thomasin, bringing tales of vegan cannibalism and lesbian fashion advice. Sarah also managed to update our childhoods through a special re-creation of the old favourite ‘Please, Mrs Butler’, to raucous applause.
Rounding off the evening was a band that made me laugh so hard, I think a little drip came out. Simon Snorkel and The Gameboys got everyone involved in the laughter. Infiltrating the crowd, appearing between people’s legs and even a epic charge under the tables of Riverside during a trumpet solo, I don’t think we have ever hosted a better band to a better crowd. Whether wailin’ on the Clarinet to ‘The Power of Love’ or mixing up ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ with the Coco-Pops theme tune, the Gameboys ensured that all eyes not watching them were creased with laughter. An absolute highlight of the night.
It’s back to regular VOX next month, but I don’t think I can wait a whole year for the next Comedy Special. Thanks to all of our acts, our supporters and to our loving crowd. You were amazing.
