The twisted cult comedian returns to Leicester Square Theatre for what will undoubtedly be two weeks of mayhem.
Doug Stanhope’s Wikipedia page reads like an A to Z of the politically incorrect, in the most hilarious way possible. Over the course of his 15-odd years on the US comedy circuit, the irreverent stand-up has managed to start a failed bid for president, publish a book on the joys of bating paedophiles in internet chat rooms, and set up a charitable fund to raise money for Sarah Palin’s daughter’s abortion. He was booed off-stage at 2006’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in Ireland after insinuating Irishmen sleep with children because Irish women were “too ugly to rape”, and then again at last year’s Leeds Festival after comparing the social attitudes of the English to that of Stone Age man.
But despite this compulsive desire to shock and offend, he’s still consistently rated one of the best comedians around. The Guardian last year placed him in the top five of their 20 Best Live Shows of 2009, and his Fringe appearances have consistently been five-star sell-outs (including one where he popped an ecstasy pill live on stage).
Returning to his old stomping ground at Leicester Square Theatre, where he’s previously ranted about everything from crazy American politicians to gay porn and the plight of ugly people, Stanhope will hit London for two weeks before returning home to embark on a national tour. He’s supported by a host of similarly acid-witted US comedians, among them the brilliant Hal Sparks, who we recently caught at the Soho Theatre and couldn’t get enough of. A true hero of the Bill Hicks-era underground comedy scene, Stanhope’s show promises to be as unmissable as always – we can’t wait to see him unleash his wicked vitriol on the likes of Cameron, Clegg and co.
Doug Stanhope will be at Leicester Square Theatre from August 27th to September 11th.
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