It was back to the Frog and Bucket tonight for Geordie Jason Cook’s latest show. Somehow I missed it in Edinburgh and knowing that you can guarantee an acclaimed, heartfelt and of course funny show from Cook it was definitely one to catch. The End (Part One) was inspired by Cook’s skirmish with death last year when his wife Clare had to call him an ambulance because he thought he was having a heart attack. Inevitably the scare made him reassess his life whilst also giving him another great idea for a new show. As ever his latest offering mixed likable amiability, gags aplenty and a fair dollop of pathos.
Though it was tempting to stay for the Late Night Asylum following Cook’s gig in the Frog we were off to Tiger Lounge to catch the last few hours of Patrick Monahan’s gig, sorry last half hour. Actually I was right first time it was more like hours – apparently running on Duracell or channelling Ken Dodd he really can keep going. If there were awards for endurance on stage his mantelpiece would be stuffed full. The cheeky Irish/Iranian/Middlesbrough charmer works the room loving nothing better than to natter to his crowd plus there’s cuddles and a bit of dancing to end the night. With Jonathan Paylor and Sean Moran doing half hour shows each at the top of the night it had been a bargain of an evening.
Then it was off for an all-important festival curry and to pull the sofa bed out for Monahan as he’s kipping over at mine.