Page 19 - NLP244603 "NE Volume" Magazine (56pp 240 x 170 self cover)

COMEDY
1
Even by the excellent standards of The Stand Comedy Club in Newcastle, there will be a real treat in store on Thursday 8th September when Randy Feltface visits the Toon. Returning to the UK as part of a sold-out international tour, the press indicates that “he’s upwardly mobile, he’s outwardly disgruntled and he’s ready to defend the title of World’s Most Entertaining Non-Human Comedian”. The purple creation of Australian comedian and puppeteer Heath McIvor is a renowned comedic globetrotter and Australian TV star, now with almost two decades of performing experience behind him. He is also one half of the musical comedy pairing ‘Sammy J and Randy’, Randy’s countryman being the other titular star. This speaks directly to the diversity of Randy’s creative CV. Shows such as this date at The Stand typically revolve around the existential, self-referential and observational as far as Randy is concerned, with a plentiful serving of fourth wall- smashing hijinks and material drawing on his complicated past. This history dabbles in subjects as disparate but ripe for exploration as addiction, criminality and the essence of Feltface’s own artistry. This, in turn, mines divergent lineages in Australian stand-up, referencing the scuzzy, warts-n-all grime most famously exemplified by Jim Jefferies, but with a philosophical kick more appropriate to the climate of a national scene (and indeed an entire international scene) recontextualised by the excellence of Hannah Gadsby’s Peabody Award-winning game-changer, ‘Nanette’. That said, with a longevity stretching back to the mid-Noughties, Feltface is much more an anticipator than a mere coattail rider. Even the suggestive nominative determinism of his name implies a comedic tinderbox waiting to go off, as the character subsequently has over multiple disciplines in the years since his introduction. All of this is to say nothing of the technical brilliance of McIvor’s performances, which are a masterclass in expression, voice and the imbibing of a richly realised life into a character; a truly loving testament. Inherently, the artform of puppeteering lends a double edge lacking in many comedic performances: while there is always a distance between a performer and the character they expose to the world, which the audience must measure for themselves, the physical embodiment of this in an act such as Randy’s enhances the vulnerability at work, especially when coupled with his chosen vein of material. This represents a rare and unique opportunity to witness such a performance intimately. MICHAEL JOHNSON
Tickets: £18.50 Advance | Visit: thestand.co.uk
STAGE
From the wonderful Amy Trigg, winner of The Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2022, comes a new UK touring show in ‘Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me’. In association with Kiln Theatre and 45 North, the piece follows the story of Juno, a woman who was born with spina bifida and is learning to navigate the always-interesting life era of her twenties. Audiences follow along as they see Juno trying to clumsily combat love, loneliness, and street healers; and also following her ongoing personal battle, with the feeling of facing the struggles of life whilst also feeling like she is an unfinished project. Running at Live Theatre from September 7th-10th, the production is an education into disability and spina bifida that also shows that although we have our differences, our lives aren’t always that different from one another. This show will warm your heart and have you laughing out loud as we learn that our lives are both shit and wonderful in good measure. GEORGINA SHINE
Tickets: £6.00 Advance | Visit: live.org.uk
Lindisfarne Gospels. The manuscript is such an amazing example of devotion, design and craftsmanship which embodies the very rich and expansive history of the North East of England, but with connections far beyond the region. It is a great privilege to explore and interpret this fascinating story in a new and exciting way.” Julie Milne, Chief Curator of Art Galleries, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, says: “This is a new kind of exhibition making for the Laing Art Gallery and we are excited to be working with Novak in creating a digital immersive piece of interpretation for the amazing Lindisfarne Gospels.” The Lindisfarne Gospels will feature in a contemporary exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery from Saturday 17th September to Saturday 3rd December 2022, on loan from the British Library. LEE ALLCOCK
Visit: laingartgallery.org.uk
REASONS YOU SHOULD(N’T) LOVE ME
AT LIVE THEATRE, NEWCASTLE
RANDY FELTFACE
AT THE STAND, NEWCASTLE
1. NOVAK
CULTURE // NE VOLUME MAGAZINE // 19