To set the standard at a packed Old Firestation compère Joseph Wilson managed to get Jack, a guy in the front row, to tell everyone in the audience about his girlfriend dumping him, and with that the night was off.
Wilson has been called “hilarious” by FHM, but at the Old Firestation he was more of an annoying ingredient in the show than an asset. A huge part of the stand-up comedy act is the interaction with the audience, and if it had not been for Ash and Jack, the two lucky guys in the front row who became the biggest talking points of the entire show, Wilson’s jokes would have fallen a bit short. He did some pretty good impressions and accents, but overall what he did best was introduce the other acts.
Opening act Fergus Craig, known from Channel 4 and the BBC, kept it short but funny as he had a train to catch. However, he still managed to poke fun at foreigners, Ash and Jack and his childhood nemesis.
After Ferguson, we yet again got to meet Wilson, but this time he kept it simple and introduced, what turned out to be the best act of the night, Danish Sofie Hagen.
There is something quite amusing about girls who just don’t care. Sofie Hagen puts it out there and she is not afraid to say it like it is. She was the runner up at Leicester Square comedian of the year award 2012, and in the 25 minutes or so she was on stage she proved why. She talked about the cultural clashes she experienced when first arriving in London about five years ago, and the troubles that come with having a boyfriend or not having one at all. All in all she was a breath of fresh air, not only as a female stand up comedian, but as the night’s funniest act in general.
Headliner of the evening, Elis James, took advantage of the good atmosphere and kept the crowd entertained with obligatory jokes about his welsh heritage for a good half an hour.
Even though comedy usually comes down to what you personally find amusing, the night was definitely worth the £5 paid at the door.
Comedy Nation is the longest running comedy night in Bournemouth with monthly events. Former performers have included people such as Graham Norton, Ross Noble and Alan Davies. The next event will be on 21 February and you can then catch Stephen Grant, Harriet Kelmsley, Naz Osmanoglu and Tom Craine. Tickets can be bought online or at the door.
Main image from Comedy Nation Facebook.
