You are GOLD!

Comedy can be so hit and miss. I find that in the politically correct world we live in today, you’re as likely to hear stifled laughter and tutting as you are to hear a belly roar.

Comedy Gold, a monthly night held at the Old Queens Head, Islington, must by now be going down in the annals of the London comedy circuit as a place where you see the new and fresh with the jaded and famous. I have seen a host of acts there over the last three months and none have failed to intrigue me at some point or another.

My personal highlights so far:

-Seeing Mr Stephen Merchant in a room with only fifty other people whilst taking my best friend who was visiting for the week on a night out.

-Getting the aforementioned comedians autograph on the same napkin as I got Mr Dave Gorman’s autograph – sadly he was watching not performing but he did lend me his ear for the whole of the interval.

-Discovering the stand up talent of Danielle Ward, who I have now interviewed, to be published soon.

-Being scared witless by Pippa Evans as Loretta Maine.

It is one of those nights where you feel as comfortable attending on your own (I do have friends – PROMISE) as you do in a crowd. The hosts are friendly and always chat with the audience and the comedians always look like they are there for fun, not just as another stop on a 323573275 date tour. There is no selling of merchandise, no plugging, just good honest fun.

Last night (Wednesday 20 July), I saw:

DANIEL RIGBY, Winner of the BAFTA for Best Actor 2011, multi-tasker Daniel Rigby makes a welcome return to his stand-up roots in this exclusive appearance as compere extraordinaire at Comedy Gold. Inspired, inventive, surreal and silly.

PIPPA EVANS, If.Comedy Best Newcomer Nominee 2008 mostly recently seen on 'Fast And Loose'.

JAMES REDMOND, A dry, slick and subtle stand up who delivers unexpected twists and turns during his set as he reconstructs his art. You might also know him from Casualty and Hollyoaks!

MATT KIRSHEN,  As seen on NBC's show 'Last Comic Standing', 'Comedy Cuts' and 'Rude Tube'.

AND TOM STADE, You will have seen him recently on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow!

As mentioned, Pippa Evans was a personal highlight for me, though Tom Stade almost reached her heady heights with a raw, emotive and honest set that really made you think about issues such as famine and seal clubbing.

I have always thought that the whole point of going to a comedy show was to enjoy yourself. The fact that Comedy Gold is held on a Wednesday at a bit of an out of the way venue in a nice part of town means that you get a crowd of people who really do want to enjoy themselves. The banter between performer and the audience isn’t vicious and I have never seen anyone humiliated, although there have been red faces when the more timid audience members sit near the front.

I whole heartedly recommend you go down and give it a shot. I should really say, don’t go down because if too many of you do, I won’t be able to get a seat.

Visit Comedy Gold at http://www.comedy-gold.co.uk/ and see what is coming up. It’s cheap, it’s incredible fun and you will discover something new that captures your imagination and has you googling their name for future gigs on the way home.