A weekend of events curated by Stewart Lee culminated in a spectacular nostalgiafest which dusted off some lovingly remembered and some long forgotten acts that inspired the young Lee. It was not all terrific but much was. Mostly, though, it was a reminder of how political, surreal and downright dangerous the original alternative comedy scene could be.
Alexei Sayle easily prompted the biggest cheer.
The former fuming iconoclast would now make a serviceable Edward VII lookalike and while he now calls himself a writer he still fired verbal volleys with sardonic panache. Recalling his Liverpool roots, he encapsulated a dodgy Greek restaurant: “We’ve run out of pitta, do you want Hovis?” If Nigel Planer’s hippy Neil felt dated, Arnold Brown’s laconic wit was timeless. Red Dwarf’s Norman Lovett made a little routine with a shower cap go a long way and Kevin McAleer also raised comic minimalism to absurd heights describing a cute owl picture.
The show-stealer, however, was The Greatest Show on Legs collective. Original prankster Malcolm Hardee is gone but survivor Martin Soan led their traditional naked balloon dance with clownish aplomb. Proceedings climaxed with Chris Lynam reviving his banger-up-the-bum firework finale.
Then they left. Possibly to the funniest old people’s home imaginable.
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Brighton Argus
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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98rosjon, Twitter
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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A D Ward, Twitter
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John Robins, Comedian
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Stuart, Chortle
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Pudabaya, Twitter
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Idrie, Youtube
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Chez, Chortle.com
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Wharto15, Twitter
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Tin Frog, Twitter