The Frog and Bucket comedy club sits on the far edge of the Northern Quarter in Manchester city centre. Over the years both the weekend shows and the amateur night have seen performances from the now famous names that came through the northern comedy scene. Johnny Vegas and Peter Kay were regulars often compering the weekend shows, and John Bishop's first ever gig was at the club's amateur night. Plenty of other famous folk have played the Frog too included Lee Mack, Dave Gorman, Chris Addison, Ross Noble, Lucy Porter and Jason Manford.These days the club is open four days every week. Friday and Saturday nights are the fun packed end of the week shows then there's Thursdays for a more sedate, connoisseur led show. On a Monday it's still the newcomers turn as they attempt to Beat the Frog by staying on stage for 5 minutes without getting 'croaked off.' Plus there are many special nights every month such as the Laughing Cows all-female comedy night. Laughing cows showcases female comedians on the last Sunday of each month.
Tonight’s Laughing Cow entertainment was hosted by the very talented Kerry Leigh. Kerry warmed up the audience with her hilariously funny stories of her two young children and life as a mother. Engaging the audience by asking more about each person added to the humour and no one was free from her comedy attention. Even my companion and I were heckled restlessly throughout the night, but all in good humour and in her very funny style. The evening was made up of three parts separated by two 20 minute bar break.
First up to open the show was Amy Vreeke a stunning young comedian fresh out of University. With her mother and friends in the audience the stories of her childhood and misspent youth were complimented by the feedback heckles from them. Originally from Harrogate but now living in Moss side with her gay housemate her stories of the contrast in area and personalities had the audience splitting with laughter. A graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University studying drama and graduating last year, Amy is definitely someone to watch out for on the comedy circuit. For someone so young her confidence and stage presence was mature and slick in her delivery of her comical life experiences. 
Followed was a 20 minute interval where we sampled the bar food. The menu at the Frog and bucket is made up of traditional pub grub, burgers, pizza, and nachos. Very much overpriced but delicious and well presented.
The second part of the evening was sadly very different to the first. Next up was Marie Goulbourne who had the potential of being very funny but sadly ‘crashed’ on stage this evening. Marie admitted to experiencing severe anxiety when performing on stage so had taken two beta blockers before the performance. This added with a pint of lager resulted in what Marie confessed as being an “off my head performance”. Marie openly admitted she couldn’t remember any jokes and I have to say her time on stage felt uncomfortable as she slurred her way through disjointed jokes in a delivery style that was snail paced. A shame really as the one or two stories she mumbled through had the potential of being extremely entertaining and funny.
Next up was Mel, who hadn’t been listed on the evening’s performer list. Thankfully she was slightly better than Marie but again was disjointed in her delivery of jokes and had to keep looking at the word prompts she had written on her hands. Her husband of 28 years was in the audience and her banter with him and other audience members was probably the best part of her act.
The final part of the night kicked off once again with Kerry (MC) reheating up the audience. Kerry wrote a spectacular poem that incorporated what she had learnt about the audience and the humour of the evening. Clearly her degree in creative writing and theatrical arts wasn’t wasted.
The headliner of the evening was Suzy Bennett originally from Plymouth and now living in London. Hysterically funny from start to finish this female comedian was spectacular. Her witty stories and life observations were hilarious and were delivered with ease. The audience loved her, and for me she turned the evening around from being mildly entertaining and at points uncomfortable, to absolutely side splittingly brilliant. Suzy is one of the funniest comedians I have seen in a while and I genuinely hope I see more of her at the Frog and Bucket again.
All in all, once again the Frog and bucket provided an evening of colourful entertainment. Laughing Cows is certainly a highly recommended night out for all ages (above 18) in a venue that will guarantee an evening to remember.
Reviewer: Victoria Wilmot
Reviewed: 28th February 2016
