Dan Clark Guest Blog

Coming to Glasgow to play the comedy festival is a bit like coming home for me.

I've spent a lot of time in Glasgow over the past three years. You see, I film my BBC3 sitcom How Not To Live Your Life there so I've lived in the city for a two-month period every year since 2008.

I love it there. The place and the people! There are great restaurants and great architecture. And I'm excited that the first show of my tour is there. But I have to admit, I didn't always have this attitude. Not that I ever had negative feelings towards the city, but in 2007 I was on my way up to do the comedy festival for the first time and I'm embarrassed to say that I was a bit nervous about what a Glaswegian audience would be like. Turns out I had a preconceived idea of what Glasgow would be like based on a misconceived reputation from about 20 years ago.

I thought that I'd be met with a 'Glasgow kiss' the minute someone heard my southern accent. And more specifically, I was worried the audience at my show would be aggressive and rowdy. I am ashamed of myself for thinking this, especially as it turns out Glasgow is one of the friendliest places I've ever been too in the UK.

Yes, it has it's fare share of nutters. When we filmed night-scenes for my sitcom in the Merchant City, we were constantly approached by shouty men in the street. In fact, one time a man in a wheelchair hurled abuse at us and not one member of the 25-strong crew, of which a lot were men, stood up to him. That's how frightening he was! But I love the colourful characters of Glasgow. It's what makes it interesting. That show I did in 2007 turned out to be one to the most fun stand-up gigs I've ever done. The crowd were rowdy but very friendly. It was in the Brel bar on Ashton Lane. The back room is like a greenhouse and when it rained during the show it added a strange ambiance. I loved that show. So I'm very excited to play Glasgow again.


Dan will be performing his solo show on Friday 25 March at the Garage. Click here for more show information. 


Find out more about Dan at www.danclarkcomedy.co.uk. 


Watch a clip of Dan in How Not To Live Your Life: