Twenty five years ago Mr David Perkins, supported by his family (mainly his mother back then), opened a comedy club by the name of The Frog and Bucket. This comedy club was to become one of THE fixtures of Manchester’s culture and nightlife and, along with trips across the pond to seek out talent there, the brainchild and nurturing of some of the country’s best and much-loved comedians of the 1990s and 2000s.
Having helped and showcased the likes of Sarah Millican, Lee Mack, Jack Whitehall, Peter Kay, Paul Sinha, Keith Lemon, Roy Walker, Steve Coogan, Al Murray, Omid Djalili, John Bishop, Johnny Vegas and Jason Manford, as well as many more, Perkins welcomed those present at the club’s 25th/Silver birthday celebrations by announcing that they had reached one million customers and thanked his general manager who marked 10 years, announcer and sound man Colin who marked 20 years and the two Tony’s who marked 25 years, along with his daughter Jessica who now runs the club and has done for 14 years.
In a night of nostalgia, celebration and laughter, we were delighted to welcome one of the original MC’s Alex Boardman who compéred the acts and facilitated the whole night, on-stage. His experience and perfected style is clearly natural to him and he is a joy to have in the role. He met his wife here 23 years ago at New Year and recalled that, before its current purpose, the building was a Yates' Wine Lodge. He used to be a teacher and this confidence and passion for entertaining and presenting to an audience is evident.
The first of the acts on the programme was Steve Royle who juggled, balanced and oh the things he can do with a guitar or three, modelling balloons and a few ping pong balls(!). His clever routine and interaction with the front row of the audience was great and, with a bit of observational comedy and one-liners, he was a good starter for the night’s proceedings.
With attendees from as far as Bahrain, studying in Glasgow, it was nice to see the diversity of the crowds in the audience. With Kiri Pritchard-McLean on next, before her ‘Victim, Complex’ tour comes here for a 'popular demand' gig on Sunday 12th May after a sold-out gig on Tuesday 19th March, the only female on the bill, she brought sparkle to the stage. She quit her job with the hopes of making it big on the circuit and used to work in the club’s office, so it was great to see a personal affinity. Her routine was very funny and included sexual references to acts between her and her boyfriend.
The first special unadvertised guests of the night were the TV legends, from the PG Tips advert and such series as Benidorm, Johnny Vegas and Phil Ellis. Unfortunately both struggled to get a whole audience laughing and sadly had to talk over one another to mask their inability to ad lib without preparation. The inclusion of a vibrating puppet spotted being used by a man on the front row, helped them greatly to have a focus. Johnny did managed to laugh a lot at the other comics whilst watching from the bar thereafter, and it was nice to see them joining in the celebrations.
Oldham-based Tony Burgess was next, with his proper Manc style, and his routine about the difference between classes and real Manc, comparing homelessness with Didsbury and the Northern Quarter, was welcomed and funny.
Mick Ferry, whom we had as compére for the Valentine’s Special, came next with a routine around a stag do featuring a peer and posh comedian trying to break up a fight. He also poked fun, as did others, at the club’s owner around his empire and positive financial state, justified with Mick also starting at the club with Alex.
Former ‘Flowery Tw*t’’ rap band member (apparently), Steve Harris gave us a set of observational scenario-driven gags, including a hilarious trip to a Northern zoo, complete with sound effects.
Throughout the evening there was a man stood near the entrance getting more and more drunk, as he admitted, doting over each comedian he saw near him. It was a real surprise to have his invited onto the stage for a set which, in my opinion was a mistake, and probably learning curve for the present comedy course students, due to his lack of focus, theme and general ability. Although some of his babbling did draw laughs, I think that much of the audience were shocked but tolerant. Introduced as Steve, he said his name was Kevin. As Alex said about Johnny Vegas and Phil Ellis’ performance, this was very bizarre.
Next came Josh Jones, self-introduced as “a little bit gay”, who gave us an insight into gay life and showed us that he is not a pushover. He is one to watch...carefully. Alex returned to explain the 3 best places to have an affair, which, although educational and funny, was a clear filler so that the final and real headliner of the night could do his bit as the extra special guest...Jason Manford! His routine around weight loss, a Scottish fellow speed awareness course attendee, his family and children and his advice for others, is genius and the usual outstanding man we know and love, when he isn’t being sent pictures of people others think look like him. As well as his comedy career, Manford is an acclaimed singer and actor, having starred in The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sweeney Todd, Guys and Dolls, and having had his own music tour. It was recently announced that he is set to star in the new musical whodunnit comedy ‘Curtains’ which tours and will come to Manchester in October.
It just goes to show that the art of comedy will never die and that institutions like The Frog And Bucket are an instrumental part of life, happiness and release and that they are the best places and ways to encourage and bring out the talents of now and the future. With superb concessions on Thursdays and Fridays, and Beat The Frog on Mondays, there really is no excuse not to go to this place. Please do it at least once and you will get the buzz! I can't wait to attend many more gigs here!
Reviewer - John Kristof
on - 24/2/19
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