Cumberland Arms Newcastle – Tuesday 9th April 2024
Reviewed by Sandra Little
4****
This stand up comedy event at Cumberland Arms in Newcastle was a preview of a similar event, “Tyne to Stand Up 3,” which takes place on 2nd July at Tyne Theatre and Opera House. Both events involve female and non binary comics performing on a voluntary basis to raise money for Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland.
The show at Cumberland Arms was hosted by Alex Redman and saw eight local female comedians and one male comedian take to the stage. Those taking part were as follows:
Elizabeth Mitchell, Pheebs Stephenson, Helen White, Norman Johnson, Fran Best, Brogan Brannan, Julie Metcalfe, Bethany Emma, Fisa Humpledink and Pamela Tracey.
This diverse group of stand up comedians provided the audience with a wide range. of comedic styles and subject matter. There was anecdotes from the classroom from Elizabeth Mitchell, performance poetry from Brogan Brannan which refered to internet dating, and a comedy routine from Fran Best which included seven house bricks! Meanwhile Julie Metcalfe gave the audience her view of life as an older person and Pamela Tracey’s routine gave an amusing view of motherhood and drug taking. Other comedians taking part also had very individual styles and varied subject matter for their routines.
There was definitely something for everyone in this performance and although I found some routines more amusing than others I definitely could not choose a favourite from this diverse range of talent. The atmosphere in this upstairs room at the Cumberland Arms was warm and friendly, the audience was enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy the,”audience participation” aspect of the show that went alongside the acts on stage.
If you enjoy comedy, wish to see new and emerging talent and would like to support a very worthwhile charity then I would definitely recommend a visit to the iconic Tyne Theatre and Opera House on 2nd July. Comedians donating their time for free on this occasion include Sammy Dobson, Lauren Pattison, Zoe and Anja Atkinson and many others.