Bradford is not particularly renowned as a 'must visit' stop for stand up comics on tour. However, the Alhambra Studio venue now hosts a monthly comedy night called A Bag of Quips. I went along to see well known comic Russell Howard. As I cruised into 'the studio' in Bradford 20 minutes before the show was due to start I was slightly surprised to discover all the best seats had already been taken. The show was a sell out and the audience were keen to get started. Russell has some avid fans (maybe it's his west country twang) and some had even gone to the trouble of bring gifts...a fig roll and slinky, no less, that was presented at the end of the gig.
 | | "Like watching an octopus cook breakfast." |
The evening had been sold out for several weeks which highlights just how popular a stand up Russell Howard is becoming (that and the gifts). The night was also a testament to the success of these Bag of Quips evenings, showing they are starting to draw a crowd from the area including people from the usually self sustained stand up comedy city of Leeds. It will undoubtedly attract large names in the near future. Russell is a comic from Bristol who first hit critical acclaim in 2002 with a sell-out Edinburgh show called Ebony and Irony. He has won various awards and, at 26, is now considered one of the country's best young comics. At the end of his UK tour he is off to Australia for the Melbourne Comedy Festival. You may have also seen him on the weekly topical panel show Mock the Week or heard him on his fantastic Sunday morning radio show on 91热爆 6 Music. From the second Russell enters the stage the laughs start flying. I can only liken the experience to watching an octopus prepare a cooked breakfast - there is a lot going on. You are constantly been taken down spontaneous avenues of thought that conjure humorous surreal images of the world we live in - although sometimes slightly crude - always delivered with a cheeky grin that finds you giggling like you were back at school. | "You are constantly taken down spontaneous avenues of thought that conjure humorous surreal images of the world we live in..." | | Adam |
The personal touch is not lost, though, as some of the humour is very relevant to everyone's life. Russell often tries to engage with the crowd and pulls them right into his own world of light hearted humour. This appears to be very much done on the spur of the moment and I also get the feeling each show is a unique experience. I was surprised by the intimacy of the venue which although seating several hundred people did not isolate anyone from the stage area. This allows for the direct feedback that Russell enjoys and you can tell it really feeds into his routine as he seems to get a real buzz from the crowd that, in turn, energises his delivery. Russell Howard is one of the best comedians I have seen and I walked away very happy that he was on stage for almost two hours. Certain aspects of his humour may not be to everyone's taste but the mix of demographics in the the crowd seemed to show there is something for everyone. Go to the Bradford Theatres website to find out what's coming up at the monthly Bag of Quips comedy club and you can hear Russell Howard on Sunday mornings at 10 am on 91热爆 6 Music. | 
