Christopher Bliss Literary Salon Review: Comedian Rob Carter Finds a New Way to Write

eet Christopher Bliss, a novelist from Shropshire with childish enthusiasm but so little understanding of the nature of writing that he thinks his Thesaurus is a narrative masterpiece of 26 chapters.

Welcome to his literary salon, where he offers advice from scribes, probes a true writer and proves to be an endearing comic creation.

This bespectacled berk is the brainchild of actor Rob Carter. Take the naivety of Alan Partridge, the childlike innocence of Frank Sidebottom, and the abject lack of self-awareness of David Brent and you get closer to the concept.

Bliss’s Valentine’s Day special also included an exclusive read of her latest book, released that morning before breakfast. It was scorching but unlikely to worry
EL James: “The moon looked like a big breast in the sky …”

He follows Michael’s sexual antics. All of Bliss’s heroes are called Michael. This prevents him from confusing the names.

Despite an obvious track record, there is some originality here. Bliss put his own mark on celebrity chat when he interviewed last-minute guest Guy Bolton, who was a good sport as Bliss poked fun at his thriller The Pictures. He even seems to have read it, which is more than can be said for some serious talk show hosts.

London’s best clubs and humorous nights

Soho theater

Sara Pascoe’s favorite comedy venue, and for good reason: The Soho Theater is arguably the best place in London to see both emerging and established artists. Being a theater, rather than a comedy club per se, expect to see full sets of individuals rather than bills with a few comics. Its three rooms host everything from Edinburgh’s latest winners to big names testing their latest novelties. The level is reliable and excellent: even if you’ve never heard of a comedian, there’s a good chance that if they perform here, they’ll be worth watching.

The comedy store

Another old favorite, the Comedy Store has the advantage of being built on purpose: no other place in London is more suitable for stand-up (and beer isn’t too expensive, either). Having started out above a strip club in Soho, this venue made a name for itself throughout the ’80s by smashing the pioneers of alternative comedy. He’s happy to host mainstream stars these days and never struggles to attract top performers, but if there’s only one thing you can do, try The Comedy Store Players, old pros whose shows improvised on Wednesdays and Sundays almost guarantee hilarity. Tuesday’s The Cutting Edge is best for those who like topical humor.

Old rope at the phoenix

Old Rope is popular with tour veterans and newbies alike, so the weekly show usually has a mix of big names, comedy veterans, and those to watch. Host Tiff Stevenson is leading an evening of new material – yes, a lot of jokes considering their essay – and it gets its name from the noose that hovers above the stage. Ironically, this noose is a bit of a lifeline: if the new act goes wrong, the comics can grab the noose and fall back on old material.

Knock2bag

Always great value for money, Knock2bag parties offer the chance to indulge in the weirder end of the comedy spectrum: expect serious portions of whimsy, eccentricity and surrealism. If you are looking for something a little different this is the place to go.

Monkey Business Comedy Club

A top notch comedy club well worth a visit. We would choose Thursday night over Saturday, but you will have a decent show on both days. There’s a mix of big names and newcomers, and host Martin Besserman is a pro who’ll have you laughing between acts. Of which, there are often up to twelve per night, so you get what you pay for. If one isn’t to your liking, another promises to laugh.

Banana Cabaret Club

The Banana Cabaret Club hosts many top comics and is highly regarded in comedy circles – partly because they’ve been around for a good 30 years and partly because of the man who runs things. , David Vickers, including everyone from Eddie Izzard to Stephen K Amos performing. Pop-in stars and regulars on the comedy circuit often perform, but it’s also in the best places to see new talent. No wonder Marcus Brigstocke named him his favorite comedy club in London. Plus, once the two hour show is over (usually over around 11 p.m.), the DJs kick in and everyone is dancing until 2 a.m. Gorgeous.

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Piccadilly Comedy Club

Hats off to Piccadilly for keeping the comedy cheap: their shows cost at most £ 10, and they do a ‘meal’, where you can eat at Tiger Tiger and see the show for £ 20 all inclusive. A good deal. Expect a mix of well-known TV regulars alongside the best newcomers to the scene. Queues are especially well thought out here: they don’t bring everyone together, so the nights tend to be uniformly great.

Leicester Square Theater

The Leicester Square Theater attracts big names, so expect to see top performers: Richard Herring hosts a weekly podcast here on Wednesdays, and Bridget Christie, Micky Flanagan and Frankie Boyle all make it a stopping point of their tours. That said, check the website for what’s to come – it’s also possible to see sets under the radar.

Living in Zedel

The excellent Brasserie Zédel – whose Bar Américain is one of the best bars in the capital – relaunched Crazy Coqs under the name Live At Zédel last year and after a successful first run, is launching its second season. Besides comedy – the standard is usually very decent – they also host musicals and dragsters. The cocktails are excellent and there is table service. Eat out before (or after) too: we dropped by recently and the food is as good as ever. Not expensive too.

Good Monday

This bimonthly show features the Capital’s best new emerging artists, combined with renowned hosts – expect Miles Jupp, Sara Pascoe and Holly Walsh – who keep the standards up to date. Definitely up to the task, a place to find your new favorite comedian.

Angel comedy

Just what a comedy club should be: small, crowded, and above a pub. Best of all, it’s free, and every night offers something different, from open mic parties to well-known names giving their latest sets a broadcast. Check the website for details, but you won’t be disappointed – get off early as it fills up quickly.

Ginglik Comedy Club

After a decade of success at Shepherd’s Bush, this comedy club has found a new home in the ever popular Roof Gardens. Known as “Jimmy Carr’s Favorite Comedy Club,” the Ginglik has had everyone from Al Murray to Robin Williams play and are poised for more success.

Laugh in London

Artists like Stewart Lee, Reginald D Hunter and Tony Law perform on these evenings, which gives a sense of their dignity. Laugh Out London always does a good job of bringing the highlights of the Edinburgh Festival to the city, so take the opportunity to see who everyone has tweeted about.

Club 99

This Leicester Square club is way better than one would expect for a place that continually flies. Big favorite of the Chortle Awards, it always attracts big names – it functions much like ‘Live At The Apollo’ but on a smaller scale. There are three acts per night and the shows are reasonably priced: some are as cheap as a five, although most will cost between £ 10 and £ 15. They also have venues in Soho and Covent Garden.

Living in the chapel

Too bad the shows here are so few – usually about once a month – but there is no more beautiful place than the Union Chapel to see comedy in London. The upside is that with so little performance they still get the big names in the headliner, with impressive flawless support. Also, there is usually a live band, which is fabulous. The atmosphere is everything.

Anthony Devlin / PA Wire

The show ended with an advice session, as Bliss and awesome warm-up man Luke Broker offered advice to the audience.

Whether someone should take publishing advice, however, from someone who believes a prologue is an entire novel is another matter. Ignorance is clearly happiness.

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Christopher Bliss Literary Salon Review: Comedian Rob Carter Finds a New Way to Write | London Evening Standard