AFTER two "awesome" shows in The Basement at City Screen, York, the Burning Duck Comedy Club returns to its spiritual home of the Black Swan Inn, in Peasholme Green, to celebrate its second birthday tomorrow night.
Topping the 8pm bill will be Gein's Family Giftshop, the Salford sketch group who headlined Burning Duck's second ever show, and this time they will be supported by Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Geneva Rust-Orta and master of ceremonies Jack Evans.
Gein's Family Giftshop will be performing dark, absurd and fast-paced sketches that marry the tragic with the riotous. "Edward Easton, Kath Hughes, James Meehan and the one you never see are darker, faster and funnier than ever before, bringing more brand new sketches that aren't for everyone but might just be for you," says Burning Duck promoter Al Greaves. "They promise more blood, less jizz, still some jizz though."
Gein's Family Giftshop have appeared on BBC Radio 4's Sketchorama, BBC Radio Wales and BBC2's Inside No. 9 and won the Chortle Award for Best Newcomer in 2015 and London Sketchfest awards for Best New Sketch Act and Audience Choice in 2014.
By a process of deduction from their website, "the one you never see" is Welsh comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean, who nevertheless will be performing a solo spot tomorrow. "Kiri has been making something of a name for herself in the short time she's been performing stand-up comedy, as well as achieving further success as one fourth of Gein's Family Giftshop in her capacity as writer and director," says Al.
"A unique and assured comic voice, Kiri is whip smart with material to match. An apprenticeship on the North West comedy scene equips her with a presence beyond her years and the rare ability to be challenging in her material without alienating her audience."
Looking forward to the birthday celebrations, Al adds: "It wouldn't be a birthday without Birthday Bread Man." Tuck in tomorrow when doors open at 7.30pm; tickets cost £5 at burningduckcomedy.com or £7 on the night.
Beth Vyse: November 17 gig at The Basement
Burning Duck will be combining its Black Swan gigs on the second Tuesday of each month with regular shows in The Basement, while plans are being drawn up for a November night at The Crescent. "Now I can progress the open spots from the Black Swan to open spots and middle spots at The Basement and The Crescent too," says Al, who likes to give the spotlight to Yorkshire up-and-coming comedians.
Burning Duck has presented such acts as Jonny Pelham, Amy Gledhill, Peter Brush and Edy Hurst with postive feedback and next up will be Brendon Burns: Black Comedian at The Basement on Sunday, October 23. "Brendon's shows aren't just extended sets," says Al. "He specialises in creating experiences: forever experimenting with form and throwing himself new challenges."
Deadpan multi-media comic David Trent will comment on celebrity culture and topical news stories with the aid of a projector and frenetically fast video editing at the Black Swan on November 8, when Lucy Pearman will perform too. Beth Vyse's As Funny As Cancer show is booked into The Basement for November 17. For more information, visit burningduckcomedy.com
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