ScotsGay Magazine

*****

Just as this whole festival madness was beginning, Andrew Simmons (aka Butch, from Topping and Butch) pulled me to one side, and said, "Whatever you do, make sure you see Stephen K Amos this year. The man is on fire!" Now Andrew knows his comedy, after all, he and Michael (aka Topping) are frequently alight themselves. I listen to another five minutes of adoration aimed in Mr. Amos's direction before interrupting and asking the boys about their own show. Such generous praise from fellow comics is rare, so of-course I went along.

On arrival, and in the front row, I sat down amongst Stephen K Amos's capacity crowd. They looked like a tough lot. There was a bunch of lads on a stag night from Glasgow, rowdy and loud. There were some elderly couples who didn't look like they approved of fun at all. And some toff students with their arms folded, giving off that arrogant make me laugh vibe. I honestly thought that the gig might bomb. However, almost from Stephen's first words we were laughing. And it didn't stop. His entire audience laughed and laughed and laughed. I, quite literally, wept with laughter. My sides hurt with laughter. I was still laughing on the bus home. That night I woke myself up twice laughing out loud. Since seeing All of Me I've been so happy that my boyfriend thinks I've won the lottery and haven't told him.

And you know the best thing? No one in the straight audience knew that Mr. Amos is gay. When he came out on stage, in one of the best 'coming out' stories I'll ever hear, no body cared. The lads on the stag night behind me kept laughing and applauding to the end. The old ladies giggled to each other continuously, the pretentious student toffs had dropped their guard and were howling away. You will laugh too. I simply cannot recommend this show highly enough.

Martin Walker

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