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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
10:53 AM 13th April 2021
arts

Gary Powndland - The New Comedy Star Brings His Sell Out Show To The North

 
I must admit that up until a few months ago I had never heard of Gary Pownland. A friend had discovered him on line and kept enthusing about him. After watching some of his sketches I can see his appeal

Now viral sensation Gary Powndland (pronounced like the shop, but not spelt the same) is back with an all-new live comedy show. The tour visits the Leadmill in Sheffield- a venue more used to music concerts rather than a comedy show.

After overwhelming public demand with the first show on 21st December this year at Birmingham’s Town Hall selling out within minutes, a further 9 dates have been announced from March 2022. Prior to lockdown they had sell-out shows across the Midlands and had garnered over 10 million views of his videos online. It looks like that success will continue when he visits the North.

“When I heard that our show in Birmingham had sold out, I spat my calpol sandwich up the wall. Then I phoned my best mate Barry and we went flat out on the session to celebrate. I’m still hungover but hopefully that will have cleared up in time for the show in December. I just want to thank everyone who bought tickets. It was an overwhelming response, and I can promise you we will have a top-notch night.” said Poundland.

Gary lives in his dead Nan’s house with his sister Tash, her son Kaylied and a family of ten foxes he’s befriended. In this new show Gary’s inviting you round to his place, where he’ll be joined by his sister, Jimmy, and best mate Barry Mullet. “It’ll be a right proper wot a joke!”

Tash Powndland - Gary’s younger sister but as he says, “She’s like a big brother to him”. She struggled in school and was kicked out aged 13 for head butting a PE Teacher, who’d taken the micky out of Gary’s weight. She’s doesn’t take any rubbish from anyone and is often feuding on social media with her arch enemy Shanice.

“Gary never lets me put many videos on his Facebook page so I’m looking forward to getting on stage and telling people exactly how it is. And if you owe me any money from the Avon don’t turn up because I’ll see you outside in the car park afterwards! And you know I will!”

Barry Mullet - Gary’s best pal and neighbour who relocated from Scotland 3 years ago “because we all make mistakes”. They feel strongly that confidence is much more important than knowledge and common sense… They keep each other informed on modern life when gets confused, which is not uncommon. Like Gary, Barry is single and childless which is clearly for the best and he also insists that he’s not gay without being asked. Barry is very protective of Gary since he went viral and often threatens violence on haters and well-wishers too as he constantly explains “I’m not stupid” whilst tapping his head. Barry doesn’t get most things.

Jimmy Boones - is the 79-year-old father of Tash’s deceased boyfriend Mo, who now runs his business selling vapes, fruit and veg, curry runs, airport runs, jeans and anything else that’s in the van. Jimmy still cares very dearly for Tash, and remains close to the Powndland family, although he will fuck everyone right off if there’s a few quid involved. Wolverhampton born and bred, Jimmy's father Eddie, was his hero and taught him the swizzin way of life. From an early age he knew if “it ay nail down then yowm havin it”.

WHO ARE GARY POWNDLAND & FRIENDS…

Jack Kirwan (Gary/Tash): Born in Wolverhampton, Jack did his first stand up gig on his 23rd birthday at The Hollybush in Cradley. He started out telling jokes and doing surreal impressions, however soon realised he much preferred performing character comedy after meeting fellow comedian Andrew McBurney. The pair immediately bonded over their common love of ‘having a laugh’ and soon after shared a car to gigs where they performed both solo and as a double act. This led to their first full sketch show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2016. As a solo act Jack was a finalist in the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award 2015 where he performed as Gary Powndland. Jack met comedian Paul Palmer via Andrew who had been friends since high School and two became three when they began writing and performing together. After Andrew moved in with Jack (after becoming seriously ill) they started to write and rehearse when possible, which led to a growth in ideas, characters and sketches.

ANDREW MCBURNEY (Barry): Though Glasgow born, he moved to the Black Country as a teen. As a stand-up he got to the finals of ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ in Edinburgh, ‘Laughing Horse New Comedian of The Year’ in London and the BBC New Comedian of The Year in 2014. This led to regular weekend work at key comedy clubs in the UK.

PAUL PALMER (Jimmy): Had been a horror fan since he was a child and found a horror friend in Andrew McBurney from school when he was 14 years old. Paul has zero fear and has enjoyed making people with his warped sense of humour. When McBurney was enjoying the limelight of the comedy scene, Palmer jumped on the bandwagon by creating Count Evil character, a useless horror magician that's Christopher Lee meets Tommy Cooper in Palmer's head. He won Best Alternative comedian in 2016. Interesting facts - he has one eye and people often mistake him for being over 70 years old!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 - LIVERPOOL, Hot Water Comedy Club
Wednesday 30 March 2022 - SHEFFIELD, The Leadmill
TICKET LINK: garypowndland.gigantic.com