'Comedy Cabin' review

My review of Ilkeston's 'Comedy Cabin' night from September 2006.

LAST Saturday saw the return of Ilkeston’s only comedy night, the Comedy Cabin. Held on the first Saturday of every month, at Ilkeston’s Co-Op Regency Rooms, the Comedy Cabin features a number of well-known comedians and newcomers. 

The evening’s line-up featured Rufus Hound as MC, Eric, Tom Bell and Andy White. The first act to take the stage was Eric, with his slow and deadpan style of comedy taking in the game of cricket and a rather unfortunate incident with a crow.

Next up was youngster Tom Bell, whose nervous improvised style is familiar of popular Geordie comedian Ross Noble. With a surreal act involving animal pubs, time travel and some very dark material, Bell has real potential if he manages to keep his act moving smoothly without too many long pauses. 

The headline act of the evening was Andy White, whose smooth performance charmed the audience with amusing sketches around the similarities between God and TV’s Big Brother, tales of life in a call centre and the A-Team and Flintstones in French!

Whilst Andy White was by far the standout act of the evening, compere Rufus Hound was similarly amusing. Hound successfully held the show together between between acts and the interval, entertaining and charming the audience with his sharp and occasionally geeky banter.

The evening’s venue, the Regency Rooms’ Queen Elizabeth II suite did it’s best standing in for a comedy club with dimmed lighting and tea-light lit tables. Despite these additions it is hard to shake the feeling that a wedding reception could be waiting right outside to use the room after. 

 Despite these environmental issues, for anyone who enjoys live comedy in Ilkeston and its surrounding areas the Comedy Cabin is a must. The next event is due to take place on Saturday 7 October, with four more comedy acts ready to take the stage and entertain.