This Review is from August 2024

A member of staff at The Stand enthusiastically tells me that Glaswegian comedians, Susan Riddell and Amanda Dwyer, run a mixed bill, all women, monthly stand up show in their home city. As we talk, someone chips in to recommend their podcast, also called, Material, Girl. There is a real enthusiasm for comedy among the people who work at The Stand. The opinions of the staff at this venue carry weight. The women have brought the show to Edinburgh for a month, so I check it out.

Amanda Dwyer is our host for the afternoon. She warms up the room with the usual “where are yous all from?” style patter. She’s good. Afternoon gigs, where most of the audience are sober, drinking coffee, can be challenging. Amanda is more than up to it.

Our first act, mainstay, Susan Riddell, says that she’s not drinking either, like many comedians these days she doesn’t do alcohol during the Fringe. She shares a very funny story about trying to give up for Dry January, to raise money for The Samaritans… I won’t give the punchlines away.

Guest, Caitlin Connor is next for a brief set. The Glaswegian stand up and musician has only been performing comedy for a couple of years and shows promise. She’s new, but she has the tools.

Our guest headliner is Jade Kelly. She’s a confident comic, great with an audience. “What yous been up to? I don’t actually care. I just need to segue into the next bit.”

I laughed a lot during this mixed bill show. A fabulous way to spend an hour of your afternoon. The women’s comedy scene in Glasgow, that brought us Janey Godley, Susie McCabe, Susan Calman and many others, is in rude health.

Martin Walker

Tickets: HERE

Material Girl podcast on YouTube HERE

Material Girl Linktree HERE