Rik Carranza: Rik 'n' Mix @ Laughing Horse, Espionage

You can’t get a cozier / more awkward space than Espionage’s Lizard Lounge, mainly because you’re crammed on sofas right in front of the performer, while the back of the room is stuck peering over the booths and between people’s heads, but it somehow seems apt for the very mixed bag that is Rik Carranza’s hour-long free show featuring two different guest comedians; Glasgow-based Australian Geoff Gawler and Scottish up-and-comer Robin Grainger.

Gawler warms the tiny room with an introductory dance to Daft Punk’s Lose Yourself to Dance, during which he pulls out a photo of Charles Dance before launching into an absurd, hilarious tirade about his made-up family background. Grainger is a bit less amusing with mundane jokes about being from a small Scottish town and looking like a heroin addict. Carranza wraps up the show with joke songs and sweet stories about his wife. It’s definitely a hit or miss formula, but Carranza is a lively and personable host who keeps you entertained and keeps the vibes fun and friendly, even when one guy drunkenly and awkwardly storms out. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s a lovely free hour of comedy.