Column: Up North

No longer able to ignore the condensation trickling down my window I decided the best way to cheer up my chilled bones was to catch some comedy in Kentish Town. The room at the top of O’Reillys, where the Monkey Business Comedy Club kicks off every Thursday has a cosy, laidback charm that appreciates the red carpet needn’t be rolled out for either fledging or professional comedians.

The MC, in contrast to whipping us all into a frenzy, stepped out in the manner of a slightly fatherly figure about to introduce his kids’ nativity show. That diminished somewhat when he proceeded to reminisce about sleeping with a Swedish girl in South Kensington in his youth.

I wouldn’t say I was in danger of hyperventilating from laughter but there were definitely some funny ones in the line up and you never know when you might be witnessing the next Russell Brand or Noel Fielding (who have treaded the comedy boards in that very room). Newcomers included Hattie, Ashtown, Helen Arney and Lloyde Woolf who seemed genuinely comfortable sharing their personality with the audience on stage.

The last guy on was definitely an example of why you shouldn’t drink before performing. One line that will haunt me is: “I saw a girl with an ugly face”, followed by the punch line: “”she had bad breath, I had to stand back a bit”. Sadly, this wasn’t a parody and tickled no one’s comedy sensors. Fine to berate women, just make it funny please.

New bar Barrio North down Essex Road lives up to all its promises. On arrival you could be fooled into thinking you’re in a blissfully relaxed yet high-spirited bar in a relatively unspoilt crevice of southern Spain. That is until you encounter a drunken investment banker who feels the need to disclose his occupation after ten seconds into the conversation.
 
The cocktails felt properly Mediterranean too. I tried a Capirissima and instead of disappointingly chomping on ice cubes and a bit of mint leaf this cocktail felt refreshingly stacked full of quality golden rum. Beautiful mosaic tiles create a warm and vibrant atmosphere, along with a welcoming clash of varying cultures on the musical spectrum from the DJ booth.

What was particularly impressive was the alcove towards the back, which I later found out was moulded out of a caravan. More imaginative than your ordinary table and chairs, this haven evoked Glastonbury ‘make out’ pads without the mudslide.

On the penultimate Sunday of every month at The Kings Head on Upper Street, First Draft Theatre performs a showcase of short plays written and rehearsed within four weeks. Each piece is based on a current political or social event and shows the quality that can be produced in a short space of time. It’s a great way to wind down the weekend and still keep the cogs in your brain turning while avoiding complete submersion into your pint at the prospect of Monday morning. The acting and writing was impressive and I particularly enjoyed LD 50 written by Daniel McLeod, which was an interesting foray into just how wrong things can go during a therapy class in a psychiatric ward.

As Black History Month draws to a close The Ghanaian Film Festival will be showing a variety of features, shorts and documentary films at The Arcola Theatre and Rio Cinema in Dalston, from October 27 to November 4. Created partly to coincide with the independence of Ghana 50 years ago, the organisers also aim to show the optimistic culture within Ghana and its positive developments, which are under represented in the media. Screenings are free. For more details visit www.ghanaianfilmfestival.co.uk.

Read September’s Column

Charlotte Browne, MyVillage, 30th October