“I’ll start by telling you that I don’t make fun of the Welsh… in fact I don’t make fun of anyone really” said Dave Williams, the compere for Carey’s comedy night. Five minutes later, “Your name’s Jonquil? Oh dear.” The jokes started from there. It seems there’s a certain etiquette about surviving a comedy show; don’t sit in the front row, don’t draw attention to yourself, don’t get offended easily, and don’t have a strange name and do any of the previous. By the fourth joke on the poor girl sat in front of me I began to feel sorry for her but like a pro she smiled and didn’t bat an eyelid.  | | Dave Williams |
Three acts graced the stage of the Stand-Up Wednesday’s stage at Carey’s nightclub. In progressively larger and larger slots they performed to a packed lower room of the popular club. The crowd were raucous and the jokes were witty and offensive at points. Dave Williams was no exception.. “I can’t ask a lady how old she is… how much do you weigh?” he asked to a table of women on a birthday celebration. However it seems that comedians can get away with murder, and the crowd just laughed more. First act was 32 year-old Cole Parker. Dressed in jeans and a casual T-shirt he proceeded to tease the unfortunate front row of the audience before mocking the English, Reality TV, and the recent film, The Da Vinci Code; “I was in Dublin for the opening night,” he laughed, “Can you imagine 300 people being told their religion is a joke?” Cole, a single father has been on the comedy circuit for 8 months. He had been looking forward to his spot at Carey’s for some time. “It’s a nice crowd,” He said. “It’s nice to see a place that is independently run which we can use. It’s been a really good night.”  | | Cole Parker |
The audience seemed to agree with him, as act two brought Italian by heritage but Londoner at heart Stefano Paolini to the stage. With his bizarre approach of rap, beat-boxing, and comedy he provided a very real but hilarious take on life and culture, even bringing his own brand of Italian rap to the stage. His act was a great success with audience members crying with laughter at his take on Italian voice-overs. And of course there was no salvation for the poor girl in the front row… “Jonquil? That’s more of a posh blokes name isn’t it?” Carey’s lower room provided a great atmosphere for the night, with small groups of tables and chairs surrounding a low stage. There was a very intimate feel to the audience, however it wasn’t easy to escape the gaze of the comedian as he picked out his next subject. The headliner of the night was a slot by Steve Harris, a laid-back joker with a past link to Johnny Vegas. Again the audience were not let off easily with people being picked on for where they came from and what there names were.” As he walked on stage his opening line was; “There’s someone with a dodgy name somewhere down here, who is it? Ah there you go, Jonquil!” With the stance and attitude of a jovial bartender he worked the crowd easily and received a huge applause before heading off home. I managed to grab a quick few words with him.  | | Stefano Paolini |
“I come to Carey’s around once a year,” he said. “It’s a fantastic club and the crowd are always good. It’s always different from a student bar as you can use better more varied jokes.” He said. “I’ve had a great night tonight.” Stand-Up Wednesday, which will be celebrating it’s 6th birthday in November this year will celebrate by having a comedy bonanza. Until then the club runs on the first and third week of every month. The next show, scheduled for August 16th see’s performers Tommy Campbell and headliner Rob Rouse take the mic. A different, and fun night out for all sorts of people, but defiantly not for the faint-hearted! Be prepared to laugh your socks off. | 
