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It has been said that laughter is like an instant vacation and, if that’s true, the crowd at the Intercontinental Regency were kicking back in style on a beach last week.
The show took place over two nights in two locations, one at the hotel and the other at the British Club Bahrain.
First on stage was Alan Francis, the Scottish host of the evening’s proceedings. Quick to poke fun at himself, he handled the crowd carefully in his own bumbling and endearing way.
He had a hilarious tale about meeting a tramp with a very middle-class English accent; in fact, he did several gags using accents such as going into a Cockney London geezer pub and ordering a Sheppard’s pie, which I assure you was funnier than it sounds.
Next on stage was my pick for the funniest comedian Punchline has ever brought to the kingdom, Iain Stirling. At just 25 years old, this young man has a knack for performing and he simply oozes energy and charm. Having been dubbed one of Scotland’s ‘Hottest Newcomers’ by The Scotsman after his performance in front of 750 people at the Glasgow Fruitmarket, he has progressed at an alarming rate.
He was a delight to watch and his solid material was delivered faultlessly, but his finest moment came from an unexpected exchange with British Ambassador to Bahrain, Iain Lindsay.
The ambassador was impressed by the fact that Stirling spells his first name the same way, which led to the comic telling him they could start a band called ‘the Iains with two I’s’. He then asked the ambassador what he did for a living. Ever the diplomat, Ambassador Lindsay replied: “I work.”
Taken aback by the knowing crowd’s rapturous applause, Stirling couldn’t figure out why that was so funny. Clearly oblivious the comedian kept asking until the penny dropped and he quipped: “You’re somebody important, aren’t you? Will I be able to leave this country now?”
Rounding off the evening in style was Rob Deering, a comedian and guitar player with a penchant for George Michael jokes to the tune of Faith.
Deering has a loveable and easy-going quality about him, which went down well with the crowd. He played a selection of cover songs in his own hilariously idiosyncratic way.
The only begrudging complaint I have is that he ruined Eric Clapton’s classic Wonderful Tonight for me forever and suffice to say, I will never be able to listen to it again without laughing.
