Hal Cruttenden

A night in the life of Hal Cruttenden

If you ever hear a comedian say they're "doing a Cruttenden", they're referring to ace stand-up Hal Cruttenden, and it means they're dashing around town cramming in as many paid slots as possible. Earning their keep. And nobody gigs harder than Hal.

Hal Cruttenden: Why I'm staying at home

As comedians flock to Edinburgh, festival veteran Hal Cruttenden explains why he won't be joining them.

Hal Cruttenden: on touring

Roly-poly funnyman Hal Cruttenden explains why he's making the most of the final chance to be a posh, middle-class comic before Armageddon strikes.

Noel Fielding, who looks like a cross between Sandie Shaw and Russell Brand, is tonight's headline act. But the Bristol audience isn't sure how to deal with him. There's a bit of reserve and possibly even bafflement in the applause. Which is perfectly understandable, as Fielding's brand of delicate surrealism withers under the glare of a broad-brush comedy show. Much more mainstream are John Sessions lookalike Hal Cruttenden, who does a very good camp Alexander the Great; Seann Walsh and his routine about why people don't use moving walkways in airports; and Mike Gunn, who makes jokes about his wife. But, as always, it's McIntyre the audience has really come to see and he wins them over completely with his impression of a rail ticket inspector and his account of reading the bedtime story on CBeebies.