Old Rope at The Phoenix

Old Rope at The Phoenix

21 July, 2008
by: Greavsie123

Ever been on a holiday that you initially never wanted to end but ended up counting down the days to the departure lounge crush? Ever had a perfectly-cooked steak that was just oppressively big? If you're familiar with either of these 'too much of a good thing' scenarios then you'll understand my mindset when I stumbled out of Old Rope onto Cavendish Square at 11:40pm last Monday night. At that time, a full 3hrs after the start of the gig and over an hour after its projected finish, it's a mild pain in the proverbials if you have an early start the next morning.

Not that one imagined that many of those who were packed into the basement of the Phoenix pub had much intention of rising until well into Tuesday afternoon. Old Rope came across as very much an industry night, and while it was an extremely enjoyable evening, it could do with trimming just a little of the indulgence that is prevalent by any industry playing to its own.

The premise behind Old Rope is that it is very much a new material night, in this instance providing the stand-ups with an opportunity to fine tune new jokes before their Edinburgh fringe routines take shape. An old rope hangs in the form of a noose alongside the comedian, the idea being that if he/she has died on their arse sufficiently then they can grab the rope and alert the audience to the fact that they are reverting to tried and tested fodder.

It's a great idea, and worked a dream throughout the evening. Only one comedian truly floundered, the unfortunate David Whitney, mainly because he didn't seem to believe that any of his jokes were going to get a positive reaction - a difficult atmosphere to put any audience into. That said, there was enough about him to suggest that he should not be judged solely on this showing. Old Rope is, after all, a night where acts should be commended for going out on a limb without the crutch of the familiar.

Otherwise, sets were short, sharp and very, very funny. Lloyd Langford and Holly Walsh stood out; Langford for his relaxed demeanour and biting tongue, Walsh for being genuinely likeable and amusing, while Joe Wilkinson, Adam Bloom and Matt Kirshen also had the audience in their thrall. Nick Revell is a legendary name on the circuit, but seemed slightly out of place among the younger bill. As reviews testify, his timing and delivery were impeccable, although one sensed a lot of his material flew over the head of an audience that included a whooping and finger-clicking Ali-G wannabe in the front row.

Revell gave way to the excellent Baby Pyramid. The world's first Ukulele/Oboe duo were conceived at Old Rope at Christmas and, despite my earlier sentiments at the length of the evening, left one wanting more. I cannot be the first to describe the strikingly beautiful Lady Carol's voice as haunting, which, complimented by her partner's softer tone made their covers a refreshing change of tack over the evening.

The break that followed their performance would have been a natural way to end the evening, but back we came, moths to the flame, for a third installment in the shape of the night's headliner - Carey Marx. Marx is potentially hilarious. He has previously been hailed as an 'unapologetic gagsmith'- a fitting description. For someone with so much talent, who delivered some stunning lines, it was disappointing that he felt the need to stray so close to the, 'check me out, I tell jokes about albinos and midgets - God I'm outrageous, if you don't like it then piss off' school of comedy. Predictably the poor man's Ali G whooped and clicked those fingers like there was no tomorrow, while Marx's pals at the back of the room cheered louder still, but one couldn't help but feel that he seemed to have missed the point that no one except caricatured WI members is remotely outraged or offended by that stuff. That is just an observation on what was otherwise an amusing set by Marx as the eyelids drooped.

Tiffany Stephenson and Phil Nichol, the hosts, were both funny and engaging characters. Their ribaldry between acts went on too long, but gripes on time aside, they have done a great job with Old Rope. Week-in, week-out they attract a constantly changing ensemble of extremely talented comics and for £5 a head, it's an absolute bargain.


Click here to see all London stand-up
Click here to see all London comedy
Click here to see all things to do in Oxford Street

Greavsie123