The best full-facial workout ever

My cheekbones are still aching from the Laugh Out Loud (LOL) stand-up comedy show last Saturday in Qawra, Malta, which greatly surpassed all my expectations. Yes, I expected to have a laugh but I was also waiting for some “drier” moments.

However, from the time Tiernan Douieb kickstarted the show at 20.45 to the moment he stepped off stage at 22.45, my whole insides and face had done an intensive two-hour workout.

Douieb got the show off to a lively start by interacting with the audience, picking on the ‘unsuspecting’ couples in the front row of tables asking them about themselves and poking fun at their answers. He also appeared to be baffled that the Maltese ate so much and why they were so into the new fad of ‘planking’.

The crowd was a mix of Maltese and expats but Steve Andrews’ – an expat and upcoming comedian living in Malta who filled the open spot – witty jokes about “the island that logic forgot”-  i.e. Malta– went down well with both.  

Next up was Dana Alexander who was also much better than expected as she played up her Jamaican roots, revealed her current favorite hobby (trying to figure out the nationality of people on the streets of London – her new home – based on … the size and shape of their ass) and the whole ‘women are from Mars, men are from Venus’ concept.

The dirtiest of all was John Fothergill (pronounced ‘For the Girls’ in his strong Newcastle accent) who poked fun at an all-female “lesbian” table in the corner who were celebrating a birthday (“ah, nice, so you came here to celebrate so you didn’t need to talk to each other” he shouted at the table). He also admitted to enjoying his time in Malta – showing off his sunburnt “British tanned” chest, but added that he wasn’t impressed by the Maltese attitude to quality and safety as he bumped along the precariously pot-holed streets during his taxi ride from the airport and watched sailing boats bent over battling the high waves.

The show was superbly organized from start to finish. From the prompt air-conditioned pickup service at Spinola Bay (just EUR 4 return) to the tasty Mexican and Asian platters to nibble on, waiter service and interaction with the crowd, I was glad we splashed out an extra EUR 8 on the Inner Circle seats, as they were worth every cent of it.

Humor can sometimes be differently perceived by different nationalities and culture but this show was funny enough to be appreciated by all and subtle enough so as not to offend anyone. We were a table of Dutch, Irish,New Zealand and Australian expats and each one of us laughed equally hard as did the Maltese group at the next table.

I, like the rest of my group, can’t wait until the next Laugh Out Loud show because for sure, I’m going to become a regular.
Psst … the next shows are planned for September 24 & 25, 2011.
Click here for more info.

Taking comedy seriously

Is the summer heat making you feel lethargic? It’s time to wake up, have a good laugh and make every muscle in your upper body ache at the annual Laugh Out Loud stand-up comedy show in Malta this weekend.

On July 2 and 3 the Laugh Out Loud stand-up comedy show returns to Malta for the seventh year running. This year it features three London-based comedians – Tiernan Douieb, John Fothergill and Dana Alexander.

Dana Alexander

Originally from Canada, Dana was named a “Best Discovery” by NOW Magazine in Toronto who also commented on her “delicious dry delivery” and the fact “you can tell she’s got demons”. Considered a bit of a “tomboy”, she draws her inspiration from her gay friends, quirky Jamaican upbringing and the culture shock of moving from North America to Europe.

Tiernan Douieb

A regular performer on the Edinburgh comedy circuit, quirky Tiernan Douieb is not easy to figure out and he’s pretty uninterested in sharing his background, preferring to focus on what he’s good at – making people laugh. He ran the world’s first-ever Twitter Comedy Club which attracted 14,000 viewers. Regarded as highly energetic and full of enthusiasm and life, he’s considered “refreshing” for his portrayal of everything from zombies to James Bond.

John Fothergill

From the north east of England, the quick-witted John Fothergill has done just about every odd job from working on gas platforms in the North Sea and dabbling in acting to bongo player and soundman at Quaker’s meetings.  He’s a regular on the Newcastle comedy scene in the UK, and has toured Ireland and Hong Kong. He obviously likes Malta- it’s the second time he is participating in this production.

Practical information
The XFM Stand-up Comedy Show takes place Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3, 2011, at the Dolmen Resort Hotel in Qawra (pronounced ‘Ow-rah’, close to Bugibba). If you want to be in the thick of the action and to be waited on hand and foot, choose the EUR 23 Inner Circle cabaret-style seating, or if you are more of a shrinking violet, opt for the gallery theatre-style seats which are just EUR 15 and without waiter service. But, if you’re already wondering how to get to this north-easterly corner of Malta or want to enjoy a few drinks without driving or want to avoid the hassle of finding parking, you can pre-book transport from the “LOVE” sign in Spinola Bay at 18.45 and I.T.S. Pembroke at 19.00 at just EUR 4 per person.

Visit the website for more info, or check it out on Facebook.