What a night! The ongoing Comedy Tea House series at its best! The beer was flowing and the acts were on top form. This time round the MC kept the audience well behaved but suitably warmed up. The first act was ‘Ian D Montford’ as a psychic medium, who’s witty interaction with the audience and clever play on the psychic stereotype, was very well received.
On to the first of two supporting acts for this time round. The first being Lovdev Barpaja. An Asian comic from Birmingham who’s self deprecating humour, whilst perhaps not to everyone’s taste, did well to come out with the one line jokes firing them out like a fully loaded machine gun.
Lovedev was swiftly followed by Tom Binns, trying out some material he used at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The only word I think truly describes this is ‘brilliant’. We also start to realise that this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Tom on the stage, and perhaps not the last.
The final act of the night, Ivan Brackenbury, walks on stage and the you realise Tom Binns has worked hard for his money this evening. Three out of the four acts have been the same guy using different personas and it has worked effortlessly. Finishing with Ivan Brackenbury (his more well-known persona, perhaps), was a stroke of genius, with his iPad to hand, sound effects, and jingles were being fired out to the satisfaction of the audience. So much so there was the first standing ovation I have seen at a Comedy Tea House event. The ovation was eager, loud and very well deserved.
The next Comedy Tea House event will be in March 2016. Tickets will be on sale soon at Blackfriars and, if the reaction tonight is anything to go by, the tickets will go very fast, so get yours as soon as you can.