Barnstormers Stand Up Comedy at the Grove Theatre Review
Barnstormers Stand Up Comedy
Grove Theatre, Dunstable
20 November 2014
Reviewed by Michelle Alexander
As I’m local to Dunstable and the surrounding areas, I know there’s no parking directly at The Grove Theatre, Dunstable, however, you can park opposite in the Asda car park. If it’s before 6pm, you do have to pay, otherwise free after 6pm. You can also park in the car park across from the leisure centre which is directly outside the bowling again, again, free after 6pm.
There are a number of restaurants and bars located right next to the theatre, so you can enjoy a pre or post show meal with your family and friends. They are listed below:-
Wetherspoons
Cookies & Creams (night club)
Sports Bar
From the minute you walk into the theatre, you’re greeted with friendly staff members that are more than happy to help you. There is a bar which serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages along with sweets and crisps, but be aware, they are slightly higher in price than your standard high street shop, bar or pub. There is also a lift to take you up to the foyer if you’re not able to use the stairs. This takes you straight out into the upper foyer.
The lower foyer is well lit and each location within the theatre is well sign posted, i.e., stage doors, toilets, exits etc… The toilets are clean and tidy to a very high standard and are reflected in the rest of the areas of the theatre.
The upper foyer has a much smaller bar which is served from a hatch as opposed to an open bar as of that on the lower foyer. Again, there are toilets which can be easily found. The area, for this show, had a number of tables and chairs quite close together. I would say approx. 130 people.
We were there to see Barnstormers Stand Up Comedy – Age Restriction 18+. We were met, greeted and shown to our table by the lovely staff of the theatre which had a table number as you could order food (mainly light bites).
When the show started, a compère came out to get the audience going and then introduced, at 3 different intervals, three top comedians who all came from the London circuit, including regulars from The Comedy Store and Jongleurs.
WARNING! If swearing is off your list of vocabulary, then this show isn’t for you, there’s a lot of it, the F word is used quite a lot with the occasional C word.
1. Kevin Precious, Compère – Very funy, quick and witty but does swear quite a lot.
2. Otiz Cannelloni, Act 1 Comedian – Some funny moments with various 1 liners & takes the mickey out of magic.
3. Marc Lucero, Act 2 Comedian – Looks a bit like Rolfe Harris and does make reference to it (but nothing offensive). Talks about marriage, sex life.
4. Barry Castagnola, Act 3 Comedian – Quite funny, very confident on stage, talks about personal life, issues and events.
The show started around 8pm, finished at around 10.30pm. Each comedian was on stage for around 20 minutes with roughly 10-15 minute intervals between each act. It’s not worth trying to heckle these guys, trust me; they come back with a double whammy… every time.
Please be aware, if you are sensitive to noise etc…, during each interval, music is played and is quite loud.
There were a table of hecklers and were rather loud, thankfully, the compère appreciated how it was getting on everyone nerves and dealt with them in which was nice, as we didn’t want to listen to this loud table.
Rating: 4/5
For this venue, ticket prices £12.50* in advance / £15 on the door – very reasonable
*A £1.50 transaction fee will be added per booking to online and telephone bookings.
Grove Theatre, Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4GP | 01582 602080
