 Part
of the fun of running your own web review site is in watching the
development of young performers, Russell Howard is one of these. After
seeing him compere the 2004 Pleasance Press Launch I have seen him at
the Stand Comedy Club Edinburgh December 2004, Edinburgh Fringe
Festivals 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, on TV in ‘Mock The Week’,
‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’, ‘Live at The Apollo’ and now at the
Edinburgh Festival Theatre during his extended “Dingledodies” tour.
(‘Oh My God!’ I’m beginning to sound like an old crazy
perverted stalker, especially as I try to take a pack of Jaffa Cakes
with me for him!) As I was
saying I have seen Russell develop and settle in to his career, from
various small venues in the Pleasance Courtyard to the Assembly Music
Hall, Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, and several sell out gigs
including London’s Wembly Arena. After a short break he starts
rehearsing for his next tour ‘Big
Rooms & Belly Laughs’ which includes 10 Arena Shows. Further
details can be found at www.russell-howard.co.uk.
 On
this section of the tour Russell was Supported by Joe Wilkinson.
I don’t think I have seen Joe before and none of his material
was familiar. I actually enjoyed his set but was disappointed the rest
of the packed audience gave him a hard time.
Russell would have started off in a similar position and look at
him now. Joe’s humour is
fairly lavatorial and self depreciating but I still found it very funny. Given a little more time and
much more audience respect we could have had a great set from him.
Dependent on my Fringe schedule I might try and catch his Edinburgh
Fringe Show ‘Two Episodes of Mash’ with Diane Morgan At the
Pleasance Over The Road 3, 17:45 to 18:40 5th to 31st August.
 Despite
having seen the Edinburgh Fringe Festival show entitled
‘Dingledodies’ last August I
was desperate to see Russell again. The show I saw at the Edinburgh
Festival Theatre may have had the same title but in fact bore only a
passing resemblance to last August’s offering.
In context that is. I was still rolling about in my seat
clutching my inhaler trying not to laugh and cry at the same time
desperate to go to the loo but terrified to miss anything.
I may have voiced my reservations as to how he will handle larger
areas but need not have worried as he was superb. That little kids voice
is still there and he still giggles about things he is not supposed to.
His manic dancing and prancing all over the stage is exhausting but he
just keeps going on  and in, probably powered by lithium Ion batteries
because no others would be able to keep up. His increasing TV exposure
certainly is not holding him back while providing him with a wealth of material
he will be able to use in the future.
If you get the chance of a ticket for any of his upcoming gigs
hold on to it as they will
soon be like gold dust. Young
Russell can be described as a Jaffa Cake in that he has a good firm base
in his career, the overall look is very attractive and like the cholatey
cover, very inviting, but it is when you get a taste of the hidden orangey
bit or comedy you find you can become addicted and one small taste is
just not enough.
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