Panellists: Marjolein Robertson, Ria Lina, Robin Ince & Gareth Waugh
With these free radio recordings, getting confirmation of a ticket does not guarantee entry. The promoters always oversubscribe. I knew we had to get there early, but I didn't appreciate how early.
We arrived at Drygate at noon, an hour before the doors opened, and the queue was already beyond the carpark. My fret levels were high, only tempered by how gorgeous a day it was. I needn't have worried. Though it was a sellout, we were number 122 and 123 in the queue for a 200-seat capacity room. We bought a drink and some food (the coffee was free) and settled outside to eat our lunch while we waited to be called to enter the recording studio.
The numbering system was important, as the production team invited the audience into the studio numerically in increments of 25. We ended up with seats near the back, with good sightlines of the panellists.
The show itself was hilarious. The recording lasted two hours for a thirty-minute show, and I had to wipe tears of laughter from my eyes on multiple occasions. The panellists often went off-topic, much to the consternation of the producer talking in Des's ear. Never mind Breaking The News; these guys were Breaking The Show. I have no idea how they'll cut the material down to thirty minutes and still make it make sense.
The scriptwriters even wrote up-to-date material during the recording for Des to deliver at the very end, in this case, about Nicola Sturgeon facing no action by Police Scotland in their investigation of the SNP's finances.
As with many comedy shows, it's difficult to remember what made you laugh, but Robin shared an old Billy Connolly joke, whose punchline goes, "Now you know how it feels when it's your mother." That one won't make the edit.
I don't know if the recordings are always as good as this one, but I highly recommend you go and find out for yourself if you get the chance.
Ticket price: Free
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