Preview: Hogmanay Hootfest, The Stand, York Place

THE turkey might still be sitting in the fridge, ready to be made into a week’s supply of sandwiches, but at The Stand, on Thursday, they’ll already be looking ahead to New Year with the first Hogmanay Hootfest of 2012.

So, instead of wandering the cold streets waiting for fireworks, queuing for overpriced drinks in jam packed boozers, or watching another 2012 round-up show on telly, why not head to York Place and laugh your way towards 2013 with some of the finest comedians from the UK and beyond.

Thursday’s headliner is charismatic Canadian turned local legend Tom Stade.

Stade instantly made a splash on the UK comedy circuit, with his magnetic stage presence, irrepressible charm and first-class story-telling and is now firmly established as a leading stand-up talent in the UK.

You might know him from TV shows such as Live At The Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Stand Up For The Week and Mock The Week.

Joining him on the bill will be Vladimir McTavish, one of the most enduring figures on the Scottish comedy scene.

As ever he will be serving up a delightful feast of social observation and topical satire, seasoned with his caustic wit and presented via a platter of breakneck-pace patter.

Completing the line-up is Keir McAllister, another of The Stand’s regular stalwarts. A trained social worker and former born-again Christian, Keir has a unique voice in contemporary Scottish comedy, and has written for a number of TV shows including Mock the Week, Stand Up for the Week and, Russell Howard’s Good News.

Finally, hosting the evening is the bold, brash and bitchy Bruce Devlin.

A familiar face from STV’s The Hour, Devlin has been acclaimed as a “super slick compere”.

So if it is an escape from endless TV reruns and a bit of a giggle you need come mid-week, The Stand is the place to be.

Doors open at 7pm, with the entertainment beginning two hours later. As ever, hot food will be available in the run up to the laughs, so why not forget about those turkey sandwiches and let The Stand do the cooking too.

Hogmanay Hootfest, The Stand, York Place, Thursday-2 January, 2013, 9pm, £12, 0131-558 7272