Tag Archives: Laughing Badger

That’s Entertainment

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been busy and very entertaining. A fortnight ago I went along to the last ever Laughing Badger Comedy Night at the Rose and Crown in Hemel Hempstead. It was the final event run by Lee Bryant after three years of putting on shows in the Hertfordshire area.

As I said previously I actually performed at the very first one. Which was headlined by James Redmond at the Hemel Stags Rugby Club. So basically I was the third ever act to appear as part of the brand. It was a fun night and a lot of the audience had stayed loyal with them from the start right to the end. So it was a nice celebration of lots of good fun times.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

The final Laughing Badger Comedy Night was hosted by Matt Hake. Who has been performing that role for the last couple of years. Like me he is also from the Tringe Festival Roving Comedy Night production line. Having been taught by the comedy guru that is Logan Murray as well. The line up for the evening included the pretty unique President Obonjo, local comedian Tom Mayhew, the Rev Henry King, the brilliantly funny Filthy Phil and the man of the moment Lee Bryant.

It was then headlined by Stu Turner, who combines comedy with some brilliant magic to very good effect. All the acts I have to say were totally brilliant. The place was packed with happy people up for a good time. It was a fun night. And a very fitting send off to an old friend, I thought.

Lee Bryant in Action
Lee Bryant in Action

In the bar next door afterwards there was some Karaoke going on. Now Filthy Phil sings his own very rude parody versions of some pretty well known songs. Which are both hilarious and in parts disgusting. One of the best bits of the night for me was after the gig when Filthy Phil took over the main pub karaoke. To sing one of his versions of a song. The looks on people’s faces were priceless. As you could see them thinking I am sure these are not the right words for this but not properly registering what he was actually singing. Making it a very very different song. Congratulations to Lee Bryant for putting on such a good night. And all the best with your future projects.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

A few Sunday’s ago I was at the wonderful BBC Radio Theatre at New Broadcasting House in London to see two episodes of a brand new comedy show called Live at the BBC being filmed for BBC Three. It focuses on mainly upcoming acts who have done well and been spotted at the Edinburgh Festival mixed in with a few more well known comedians. On the afternoon I was there.

I got to see a cracking five minute set from Adam Hess. The whole of Felicity Ward’s last Edinburgh Show. A totally madcap five minutes from Spencer Jones. And finally the whole of James Acaster’s current show. It was a lovely way to spend a weekend afternoon. Inside a great venue and having a good old fashioned laugh at some great new comedy. It will be shown on TV, some time early next year. So do keep an eye out for it.

BBC Radio Theatre
BBC Radio Theatre

I attended the England versus France Friendly Football International match at Wembley Stadium. I had my ticket before the tragic events that took place in Paris on the Friday before the game. Once the game was given the go head. I was always going to be there to show my support and respect.

It was I have to admit quite a surreal and at times eerie atmosphere outside the ground and even inside before kick off. But after the two teams walked out of the tunnel. And once the important, poignant reflection and unity was shown. The game kicked off and everything felt right and more normal again.

England v France
England v France

It was a decent game I thought with England playing some very good football at times. You could of course forgive the visitors, if their minds were not completely on it. But they did well and it made for an entertaining spectacle. The occasion and reflections were of course much more important than the sport being played.

It was nice however as a Spurs fan to see Deli Alli score his first goal for his country. Although it was a bit weird seeing it fly past Hugo Lloris. Good to see Wayne Rooney add to his tally to. A nice night spent watching the game with my Dad. Thinking about family and friends and how important they are in our lives.

England v France
England v France

I had an excellent afternoon last Friday at the Elgiva Theatre in Chesham seeing Neil Sand’s Christmas Memories. It is a brilliant two and an half hour show. That features so many classic Christmas Songs and carols. That if you do not leave at the end of it feeling very festive you have no soul or festive spirit at all.

It features a very talented cast including the sensational singers Gemma Turner and Chelsea Turnbull plus of course the man himself the great singer and all round entertainer that is Neil Sands. It is a really fast moving show. With something for everyone including a fair bit of comedy as Christmas Memories are shared with an audience very happy to reminisce about this most wonderful time of the year.

Neil enjoying a Mince Pie
Neil enjoying a Mince Pie

It was great to catch up with the legend that is Neil Sands after the performance. He is one of the nicest people you could meet in show business. And he really does put his heart and soul in to his productions. They always do have great singers, great songs and great costumes to. He does tour several different shows around the country every year. So do keep a look out for them at your local theatre. If one is on trust me go and see it. You will have a great time.

It was also lovely to see Gemma Turner again. I met her previously several years ago when she was on tour with Neil in Yeovil. She has an absolutely beautiful voice and is such a top performer. And it was nice to meet Chelsea Turnbull, albeit very very briefly. She is another class vocalist. Who can certainly belt out a tune. I left the venue with a nice warm glow after seeing the show and chatting to the cast.

Neil Sands
Neil Sands

So this is quite big. Last Wednesday I got to fulfil one of my childhood dreams and play football on the pitch at Wembley Stadium. I was invited to be part of a Football Association Charity Day raising money for Breast Cancer Care. There were several matches running through out the day. Each game lasted twenty-two minutes. I was lucky enough to play in game eight. So wearing my Tottenham Hotspur 1991 FA Cup Final replica shirt. I got to play at the biggest and best sporting ground in the country, if not the world.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

It was such an amazing feeling to run out there and then get to perform or at least play a bit at the home of the England National Football Team. I was secretly hoping Roy Hodgson might be there on a scouting mission looking for new players for next summers European Championships but he wasn’t. To think of all the truly great footballers, who have appeared there over the years. And to have now done so myself it is mind blowing. It was a brilliant day and an unforgettable experience.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I do not think I have stopped smiling since. We raised over two-thousand pounds for the the charity. Which is of course the important thing. Although the team I was playing in won three-nil. Which does mean I have an one hundred percent win rate at Wembley Stadium. Which is better than a lot of professional footballers. It was a fantastic honour to do it and I am so thankful for the opportunity to take part. I still have not cleaned my boots yet so they still have some Wembley turf on them.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I have of course still been watching and enjoying the excellent Strictly Come Dancing. It is such a good entertainment programme with a generally positive feel to it. Filled with people trying hard to learn a brand new skill with varying degrees of success. And with extremely close relationships and bonds being formed between the dancers and their celebrity partners. Then there is the genius of those professional dancers. In the way they teach the contestants each different dance so well. And create the choreography and overall spectacle for each performance.

Neil Quigley TV Radio & Live
Neil Quigley TV, Radio & Live

Last weekend the couple I was supporting Jamelia and Tristan left the competition. I have always really liked her and think she is very interesting and entertaining. If I am honest I chose her before the series started. And being a pop star I thought she might already be quite a natural mover. However this did not necessarily prove to be the case. But you can’t fault her for effort and commitment to the whole thing. I do not want this to sound like sour grapes because my girl has gone. But personally in the dance off last Sunday. I thought her and Tristan’s one off dance was better than Peter Andre’s and Janette’s.

Don’t get me wrong. I really like him. He is a top bloke. A better all round dancer than Jamelia and the two of them do make a great couple. But just looking solely at both dance off performances only. I really did think Jamelia and Tristan should have stayed. The only slight consolation was that the head judge Len Goodman did at least agree with me. I will still be watching the show. It is brilliant fun and all the celebrity’s still in, are fantastic. The competition is so tough this year. I am not going to pick a new favourite pairing. I am just going to support them all equally, that way I can’t lose. Keep Dancing.

Elstree Studios
Elstree Studios

I am again loving I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of here. It is my favourite television show. Ant and Dec are as ever on top form conducting the madness and having a good laugh at everyone’s expense including their own. I have met two of this year’s camp mates. Firstly Susannah Constantine who I met at a radio station in Somerset. While she and her fashion colleague Trinny Woodall were being interviewed by a colleague of mine.

The other person is the brilliant Tony Hadley. I first met him when he was promoting his autobiography and he came on my radio show in Yeovil. I have since bumped in to him at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury and at my local fish and chip shop. The last two meetings occurred because he now lives near to where I do. He is such a nice fun, friendly and positive man.Which I personally think is coming across in the jungle in quite trying circumstances on occasions.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

It is a really good and interesting cast this year. Full of very interesting characters. I am still very much supporting Tony Hadley and I hope that he can win it. I have to confess that I have never watched Geordie Shore. So I had no idea who Vicky Pattison was when she went in with the other reality TV stars. But I have to confess I really like her. She is smart, funny and a little bit feisty. Plus I can’t explain it but I have always found the accent in a lady shall we say intriguing . So I wouldn’t mind her staying till right at the end. She is not a drama queen and seems to have a great sense of humour.

So I guess what I am saying is that I want Tony and Vicky to be the final two left in there. The other thing I really love about this show is being on Twitter, while it is on. So I get to interact with people all over the country about the show. Which really adds to my enjoyment of it. Specially as hardly any of my friends seem to see it.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

Next Sunday I am heading along to the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane to see Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show being filmed. I am pretty sure the guest list for this will be good. So I am looking forward to a great evening spent in the West End in the company of a top comedian. I will let you know what it was like, next time we speak.

Michael McIntyre
Michael McIntyre

My Birthday is approaching so I am making plans and looking forward to celebrating that. It is on Thursday 10th December this year. Just in case you want to send me any cards or presents. I am not sure what I am doing just yet but I will say now that next year’s plans will definitely be much bigger as it is a landmark age then.

I have had some wonderful birthdays over the years. I try not to work on them but occasionally this can not be helped. One year I found myself working with the Drifters on the night of my special day. They were singing as the cabaret and I was djing at a Christmas Dinner and Dance. Which was absolutely the right way round of doing things. Happily I love them and their songs. So it was a great evening.

Neil Quigley Birthday Selfie
Neil Quigley Birthday Selfie

Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil.

London Beat

Hi there, how are you doing? I hope you have had a good couple of weeks. Mine have been great with lots of fun things going on. We are in the middle of the Rugby Union World Cup in England currently. I cannot claim to be a massive fan of playing the sport and hated it in games lessons at school. I had to go in the scrum as a second row forward. When I would have much rather stood out of the way on the sidelines as a winger. As I could have just avoided the ball more and stayed away from the action. I am always happy to watch and support England in any competition. I made sure I caught the Opening Ceremony on television.

I thought it was really good. A twenty minute production with more than a couple of nods to the Olympic opening in 2012. Including another Royal on screen cameo. This time from Prince Harry. Who also delivered a speech from the centre of the pitch. Which I thought was very nicely done.

Also well done to the comedian, TV Warm Up Man and Buckinghamshire resident Andy Collins. Who was charged with getting the capacity crowd fired up and ready for when the eyes of the world were on them. I look forward to hopefully bumping in to him at a television studio, once again in the near future.

Rugby World Cup 2015
Rugby World Cup 2015

I had a brilliant morning at the ITV Studios on the South Bank the other week. I was there to help a production company called Chalkboard with a live run through of a brand new game show. That they are trying to get commissioned. And hopefully on our televisions soon. They are a fantastic group of people very friendly, enthusiastic and professional. We all met up in reception before heading in to the lift and up to the Thames Room. We got set up, had a cup of tea and a quick practice of the game. Before the TV executives that we were trying to impress arrived.

We were also joined by two French TV Producers. Who have already made a pilot version of the quiz, that we were show casing. I have seen a clip of it and it looks great in their studio. The executives arrived in the room. And me and my co-contestant Rob played a couple of rounds of it. So they could see the format. How it plays and all works.

It went really well and everybody left the room happy. Fingers crossed they take the show and then make it. It would be nice to see something that I have played a very small part in the development of, being successful and getting a good run on the television. If and when I get any news that I am able to tell you, rest assured I will.

ITV Studios London
ITV Studios London

I am a massive fan of live theatre and musicals but I very rarely watch any films. About a year ago I saw the Jersey Boys movie and absolutely loved it. Since seeing it at the cinema I decided that I really wanted to see the stage version. Which was about long before the film. Finally last week I managed to find some spare time and catch the matinee at the Piccadilly Theatre in the West End. It tells the story of the group the Four Seasons, from the very early days through to the end of their careers. While giving a good feel of what the area of America they came from, was really like back then.

It is pretty real and gritty for a musical. And it is fair to say they all have issues and problems both individually and collectively along the way. But the thing that really holds it together and makes it great, is the songs. They had some very big hits and they are all sung live by the very talented cast.

It is a real life story of how money and success can alter friendships and situations. But also how certain bonds are built up with people that just cannot be broken. The music and the harmony’s are so good. It will leave you feeling happy and hyped up, like any good musical really should in my opinion. I am really glad I finally went to see it. But I already knew beforehand that I would not be disappointed by it.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I enjoyed a fun night out recently with a few of the people I work with at Wembley Stadium. A fairly low key night. We just met in pub that is part of a well known chain of Irish Bar’s in Kings Cross. Whose full name is pretty similar to my first name. We then went on to a bar around the corner. Where the fantastic Rockaoke band were playing.

Just in case you are not familiar with these guys. They are a group, who provide a slightly different take on karaoke. They play the songs totally live and supply all the words. You just hop on stage with them and sing. I met them in January at a birthday party in Oxfordshire. They were brilliant then and my mate Jeff Nolan got up and did a few numbers with them. Which was ace.

Rockaoke
Rockaoke

They have also played on most of the Chris Moyle’s Show Tours, at Carfest events and backstage at some pretty cool places including the V-Festival. They were once again excellent. And they do seem to attract a better class of singer than normal karaoke’s. Although I guess to get up there and sing with a full band. You at least have to have a little bit of confidence. That you know what you are doing.

That said the group are ace and would help you out were it required vocally, I believe. To save the ears of the audience if nothing else. They were very popular in the pub that night. When we arrived there all the slots to sing for the rest of the evening had already been booked up. I look forward to seeing them live again soon.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

I have been lucky enough to go to the actual Munich Beer Festival, the original Oktoberfest on two previous occasions. Both times I went with friends and we stayed at a camp site about thirty minutes from Munich. It is an amazing event. They have around fifteen big Bierkellers, all of which represent the different beers and hold around four thousand people. You end up drinking, talking, then as the evening wears on singing and dancing with people from all over the world. The atmosphere is electric. Everyone is there to just have a good time. Plus the Oompah band’s play their own versions of lots of very well known party hits. All of which sound great after a few steins and may be a large pretzel.

Anyway so last Saturday I went to an Oktoberfest Night at a Bavarian Bar in the Tower Hill area of London. It was organised by Lee Bryant, who runs the Laughing Badger Comedy Club in Hemel Hempstead. He spoke to me ages ago about it and told me that he was dressing up for the occasion. So I said that I would do the same.

After much debate about how we were going to get there and where we were going to meet. He suggested I stay at his so we could travel up and back to the Capital together. As I did not really fancy moving through London on my own in an unfamiliar outfit. I took him up on his very kind offer. Specially after he guaranteed that he would cook me a big fry up the morning after.

Oktoberfest London 2015
Oktoberfest London 2015

He lives near Harpenden, so we caught the train in to London from there. Both dressed up in our Lederhosen’s. I am not going to lie to you we did get some pretty strange looks. People were either trying to completely avoid us, not get eye contact with us or engage us in a short conversion. I think the latter just wanted to make sure we were heading somewhere appropriate dressed in these strange clothes.

The tube across London was not any less of an embarrassment. With everywhere full of people and everyone accept us in more normal weekend attire. We arrived at the venue, met the other six people in our party. Only to find out that with the exception of the staff and one other group of four people we were the only ones who were dressed up in the whole place.

Do not worry this did not stop us having a great time. Everyone there was very friendly and I lost count of the number of people who wanted to have a go with my drinking hat. The waitress who looked after us Ella from Frankfurt was lovely. The beer flowed rather nicely and the three piece Oompah Band they had wandering around were a right laugh. They were happy to get involved, do requests and have us sing along with them. Plus in between the band they also played in some big party songs. So we could have a good old sing and dance.

Oktoberfest London 2015
Oktoberfest London 2015

Now many, many years ago when I started out. I used to with a group of friends of mine do disco’s for Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio. We developed a bit within our performance’s. Where we would bring in a few little props and then lead the dances to a few big floor fillers. Our main number was the YMCA complete with all the head gear required to replicate The Village People. When we did it back then it always used to go down a storm.

Well last Saturday night in that bar. Along with Lee and the staff. For one night only I joined in with a special version of that dance. I can confirm that I can still remember all the moves by the way. I am just hoping that no one was videoing it on their mobile phone. That really was not a problem when we were doing that the first time around. Nobody even had phones let alone ones that could film things.

Oktoberfest London 2015
Oktoberfest London 2015

It was an excellent evening out and I would definitely head back there again at some point. And also Lee Bryant’s breakfast promise was fulfilled and it was delicious. While I remember, if you fancy some live comedy in the Hertfordshire area. Then check out the latest Laughing Badger Comedy Night taking place on Saturday 14th November. Click here for more details Laughing Badger Comedy

Neil Quigley Stand Up Comedy
Neil Quigley Stand Up Comedy

So for my Mum’s slightly belated Birthday treat I took her for a day out it London. She told me that she had not really been sight seeing there for about thirty years and fancied having a look round. So I obliged. We started off in Piccaddilly Circus then headed through Leicester Square. Just as we were going past the Capital Radio entrance Amanda Holden came out of there and started walking right behind us.

Then suddenly a few photographers arrived on the scene trying to take pictures of her. The photographers were in front of me and my mum. While Amanda was walking behind us still, trying to use us as a bit of a shield I think. She eventually over took us and then jumped straight in to a waiting car. She must get that all the time but it did seem a bit odd with people shouting at her and all these camera flashes going off. Although secretly I may have enjoyed it a little bit. By the way for the record she looked stunning and was very friendly and polite to everyone.

Global Leicester Square
Global Leicester Square

From here our huge walking tour of London took us via Trafalgar Square, St James Park. Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Horse Guards Parade then to Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, South Bank and finally on to St Paul’s Cathedral. Where opposite we found a really nice Italian Restaurant for dinner.

Before continuing on to Fleet Street, Covent Garden then ending up in my favourite pub in London Waxy O’Connor’s to enjoy a well earned pint. A successful and fun day spending time with my mum. And enjoying the many delights of our Capital city. Plus the weather was great. London always looks amazing when it is sunny.

London 2015
London 2015

So since we spoke last Chris Moyles has returned to the airwaves. He is now back presenting The Chris Moyles Show on newly launched Global station Radio X. I am a big fan of his work, so I did listen in to his first Breakfast Show.

It is going to be interesting to see how he will manage to compete with the big hitters on what nationally is mainly just a DAB station. But I am sure he is up for the fight and will give it a good go. He has started nicely and the station have spent quite a bit on publicity for it. Which should help a bit.

Neil Quigley TV Radio & Live
Neil Quigley TV, Radio & Live

I have met him twice over the years. Once through the glass of what used to be Chiltern Radio in Dunstable. As an enthusiastic teenager I went for an interview late one evening for a Technical Operator’s Job for the AM Super Gold station that broadcast from the same studio complex. I could see him through the glass doing his show and I have to confess was watching and staring at what he was doing. When he then came on the studio talk back to advise me that he wasn’t a goldfish.

The second time was at a book signing in Yeovil. When I was working at a radio station down there. I nipped out in my lunch hour to get a copy of his book signed and have a brief chat. I thought it would be amusing to give him a pen from Ivel fm. Where I was working at the time. I wonder if he still has it? He in turn asked me to give him a mention on my afternoon show. Now as much as I like him. I was certainly not going to suddenly promote another radio station. So I just gave a shout out to Chris from Leeds down in Yeovil and wished him luck with his new book. He will do a great job at Radio X.

Neil Quigley
Neil Quigley

Have fun and we will catch up again in a couple of weeks. Cheers Neil.