Here’s a confession: Until last night, I was a stand-up comedy virgin. So, having never been to a live stand-up show before, I didn’t know that my husband and I should NOT sit in the front row of the tiny Living Room Theatre for Welsh comic Noel James’ The Wit and Wordplay of Whales. I also didn’t know that it’s generally unwise to interact in any way with someone performing stand-up, unless of course you’re into a little friendly verbal abuse. (It was truly unfortunate that we were fresh off the high of shouting things out to the affable Vern & Gregory!) Let’s just say that James did not leave us unscathed. However, he is a clever wordsmith with a slightly terrifying delivery and a funny, twisted view of the world that made it all worth a little discomfort. I survived and you can, too. Just sit back (way back), shut up and enjoy the show.
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This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2009.
