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Matthew Crosby, one third of Pappy’s, chats to Victoria Nangle

(l-r, Ben, Matthew and Tom)

Matthew is new group Pappy’s, along with Ben Clark and Tom Parry. They used to be award-winning Pappy’s Fun Club with Brendan Dodds, but have ammended the name since his departure in November. So what is this Pappy’s show all about? Matthew explains the show, the group and a massive whale costume.

V: So, what happened with Brendan?
M: This is the way it’s going to be with a lot of interviews now, isn’t it?

V: Well, you’ve actually taken the ‘Fun’ out of ‘Pappy’s Fun Club’ with Brendan. What’s happened?
M: Yeah, I know. What we all described – it was friendly terms – as ‘political courtesy’ was why we decided to change the name. But obviously we didn’t want to change the name so that people didn’t know who we were. So unfortunately with Brendan went the ‘Fun’ and the ‘Club’. Who knew? Who knew he was two thirds? We always thought he was one quarter. So yes, Pappy’s Fun Club has gone.
Basically, the relationship we had with Brendan ran its course. We took it as far as we thought it could go for this, so we’re just kind of moving on. That’s about as much as I can say. A lot of it’s been written about on Twitter and Facebook and places like that. You know, the story’s out there. Ultimately, we just couldn’t really carry on doing what we did. Any scene of any kind will tell you this, sometimes it’s just difficult to maintain – just to get four people at the same time in the same place is tricky enough. So, yeah that’s kind of it. That’s a fairly unsuccessful answer for you.

V: You had differences and came the end of your relationship but wish Brendan well with any future endeavours but they won’t be with you?
M: That’s correct. He’s got his own things going on and we’ve got our own things going on, and I guess that’s the way it’s going to go.

V: The show that you’re touring, is that the one from Edinburgh 2009?
M: It is, yes. Read the rest of this article »

When Richard Herring and Andrew Collins get together it’s pretty darn entertaining. Separately, they’re much-celebrated comedians; together they have an iTunes chart-topping podcast and almost sold out the Duke of York’s when they last visited Brighton to record one of these podcast thingys.

Now they’re back for a new recording and Christmas party, featuring stand-up, prizes, ‘secret dancing’, an exclusive Q&A session and the promise of the chance to pick up the perfect Christmas gift. You’re certainly getting a fair amount of comedy bang for your buck.

The Duke of York’s has a history of providing quality one-off events, so you can be sure this will be managed with the maximum of fun. You never know, there might even be a chance to get an inkling as to what might be on Richard Herring’s other podcast, ‘As It Occurs To Me’, this week.

With Richard and Andrew’s ongoing bickering, it’s great to have the verbal sparring partners returning for Christmas. Plenty of ho, ho, ho here!
Collings And Herrin Live Podcast, Duke Of York’s, Tuesday 8 December, 9pm, £15/10

The great thing about living in Brighton is that we’re not just a favourite destination for top touring comics – we grow our own brilliant performers here too. Who would expect anything less from such an ecologically-minded city?

The Smarty Pants Christmas party has been making the most of this for sometime, mixing up the cream of the local up-and-coming comedy crop with cherry-picked talent from the muso scene.

Past shows have included seasoned ska and inspirational BIMM leaders, as well as comics who are now being booked up for gigs all over the country. In the intimate surroundings of the Sanctuary Cella, this is a real bite of the Brighton talent pie. With added chocolate Smarties.

Some of the acts promised at this great yuletide celebration include Laugh Your Bits Off Champion ‘09, Ranga – a rapidly rising sure-fire comic on the circuit – the psychotically endearing Sam Savage, and Angus H Little and Jasper Valentine. Plus music from acoustic rock duo Linton Splinters, Ben from The Wasp Factory, and Brighton DJ Graham Askey.

Smarty Pants, The Sanctuary Cella, Saturday 28 November, 7.30pm, £5

An original idea is a dangerous thing, but blimmin’ valuable in this city overrun with festivals celebrating all that is creative. Which is why, when the Hee-Ha’s sprung onto the scene at the Brighton Fringe back in May with a very novel concept, they acquired a strong local following.

An improvisation group that works with sketches, games and songs, they initially launched with Dial-A-Comedy, allowing punters to book an evening of revelry right into their own front rooms, entertaining their friends and family without ever having to leave the sofa. Now the group have bagged a six-month residency at Angel House on Brunswick Terrace (a Regency house that’s available to hire), moving their improvising to a very stately setting while preserving the living-room intimacy.

If you fancy an evening of playing at being royalty, lounging in style while a show is created just for, and tailored by, the audience, get along to the Grosvenor Bar on Western Street before 8pm. One of the players will come to collect you and take you to Angel House, with the show due to start at around 8.30pm. Original thought. Who’d’a believed it?
Pick up at Grosvenor Bar, Friday 20 November, 8pm, £6/5.