Craig Hill: Jock Strap

I think the Glaswegian in me (I've no idea what his name is!) feeds into all my comedy and the way I look at life and the funny way in which I see everyday things.
And there's nuthin' like playin' tae a home crowd! I'll have just come back from Adelaide Fringe right before my Glasgow Comedy Festival gigs and as much I love getting to play to audiences in different countries there's something so liberating about playing in front of people who come from the same place as you. You can really indulge yourself in the patter and it's a language that really lends itself to comedy so it's a joy to be able to relish it!

Glaswegians are inherently funny I reckon and everyone's got a tale to tell and we're able to laugh at ourselves which makes it a fun place to play. Humour is a big part of our identity and because a lot of my show relies on the impro between me and the audience the more outgoing, funny, gregarious characters I have the better the show is and Glasgow throws up plenty of those every year! Once I had a stag night in who when I asked, "How come you chose to come and see a gay comedian for your stag night, I’m just curious?", the stag replied ‘So am I!’ Love it! We've had guys who work in 'banqueting'( sausage rolls at a wedding!) and I remember fake tan Brad from Dumbarton (someone called Brad from Dumbarton-how wrong is that?) who let his phone go off and I answered it on stage and freaked his pal 'Bambie' out a bit! (Bambie sounded legless which was quite appropriate).

Glaswegians get comedy. They're totally up for it and want to be part of it so who wouldn't get excited about playing to that? I can't wait to have them snugly securely strapped into my 'Jock's Trap'! What a support!

Amy Hoff: Good Omens

I established Cult Classic Theatre three years ago, and since then the company has brought the unique and unusual to the Glasgow stage.
 
I was thrilled and honoured to acquire the permission to write a stage adaptation of the Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman novel Good Omens.  We started rehearsals last fall and, with only a short time left to go, a wonderfully dedicated cast, and the tech magicians that will help us to bring this apocalyptic comedy to life, we are looking forward to opening night. 

We rehearse twice a week in an office space decorated with photographs of our heroes, including Oscar Wilde, David Bowie, and Junsu.  

As a cast and crew we are very tight-knit, working hard to ensure a spectacular production as well as enjoying our time together.  The cultural diversity of our cast - hailing from Glasgow, the United States, Sweden, Bulgaria, and several locations throughout Britain - showcases the potential of Glasgow and the talent that is available in this city.  

Cult Classic Theatre is proud to be a part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and also proud to be a part of Glasgow itself.

Amy Hoff

Ray Bradshaw – I Dare Ray To

Like many other comics coming to perform in the Glasgow Comedy Festival, I am very much looking forward to it. Some will say they love the city and its audiences, others say it gives them a chance to run through material before the fringe. Me, I’ll just be happy as it means I’m still alive.

Between the time I write this (14^th of January if you must know. I’m trying to get it done quickly so I can go and watch diagnosis murder in peace) and the festival. I will have undertaken numerous dares set to me by the general public for my show.

I will be more than halfway through my marathon training, I’ll be psyching myself up for the Pamplona Bullrun, and I’ll have hugged an ostrich. Hell I might even have kissed John Prescott on the cheek by then.

So for me the Glasgow Comedy Festival is not only when I get to do my first ever solo show in my home city, but maybe also the last time I see my friends and family before my inevitable demise.

If you want to dare me and watch me suffer go to www.idarerayto.com and come to Blackfriars on the 24^th of March to see my show. 

Bring flumps.

Anna Morris - GLASGOW: THE PERFECT AUDIENCE

The last time I visited Glasgow was 2004, when I was casting kids for a TV gameshow called Scary Sleepover. We were looking for brave, chatty and funny kids and there were no shortage of these in the city. Eight years later, these kids are now old enough to see my show, which makes me realise that a) I am older b) if my audience are like the people I met the first time round, I’ll be just fine...

My show is more about the audience, than me. Each of my characters require their help to achieve something. If the audience aren’t up for it, are half asleep and shy then it simply! doesn’t work. I designed a fun, interactive show which keeps you on your toes and means you become part of the character’s world.

So I’m pretty sure that Glasgow might just give me the best audience yet. In the Edinburgh Festival last year, any Glaswegians in my audience were usually the first people to join in, holler, smile and help the characters. I also met a group of Glaswegian women on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile who were on a hen night, drinking cocktails out of pink plastic water bottles complete with twirly straws. I was so impressed by their booze planning I invited them to the show, where they provided more entertainment than me!