Blog 58
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:40AM It was fascinating looking at that old photo of me at the old Raleigh factory. For some reason, because I was keen on cycling and I already rode a Raleigh, the company actually gave me two bikes. One was a “Chief’s Special” which they took out of an export order for Nigeria. It had roller rod brakes and twenty-eight inch wheels. I still have it but its in a shed in Northampton. The other bike was the racer you see in the photo which was designed for me by their top designer, he told me I had exactly the same body shape as the famous fifties champion Beryl Burton. I don’t have that one anymore.
In comedy news, after doing that Stewart Lee curated thing at the Royal festival Hall in the summer it started me thinking about doing some standup again. However I don’t fancy performing a whole set so I thought I might MC some nights and see how that goes. At the moment I’m in talks with the Soho Theatre about me putting together some comedy nights in the autumn and I’m going to MC a part of one of Robin Ince’s Christmas events at the Bloomsbury Theatre, so that should be interesting. I went up tp Edinburgh to look at new comedians but I only saw three and one of those was Stewart Lee.
Reader Comments (23)
Yes, do some more stand up. This is not open to discussion.
You were looking pretty sexy in that bike pic. It's a nice surprise: I thought you always looked like a stubbly potato.
You've mentioned Northampton and the surrounding areas a lot in your fictional works, and now we learn that you have a bike stored there. I was going to ask what your story was with Northampton - but I Googled it and found out. Nice there, innit. Reading one of your short stories (I think it was 'The Mau Mau Hat') I felt I could picture exactly where it took place - next to the old St. Crispin's Hospital near Duston... Crush me
:-)
@Viccus: Hear Hear!
I second that Vicus, or is it third because Evelyn has seconded it....Ah, either way I humbly agree! Would love to pop down to one of the comedy revues :)
xx
Please do more stand up, the last time I saw you was at a book signing in Milton Keynes; I was the smart ass who asked the question about the Royal variety performance and how Ben Elton had been asked to compere, I asked for your reaction...I won't repeat it.
I also used to have a Raleigh racer, someone at work said their not called racers anymore, and I was showing my age (49).
Still on my bike though, but its a Claude Butler nowadays, bit too heavy, even with Aluminium frame.
Steve the Scot
If you do do stand-up I'd like to see the calm, obvservational, surreal Alexei and not so much the hyper, faux-communist loon that I saw on Buzzcocks that time. Sorry, I Iove you mate and feel free to tell me to p*ss off.
Right, that's five of us coming to see you. I take it that that is all that you need. Let me know where to buy the tickets - or pick up my free one for being so supportive.
I'll do your Twitter promotion, mr Sayle.
I'll buy the beer
I'll bring an Adagoo CD for a sing-song
xx
I'll oil the bikes
I think we better bring some people along as well
I may come too ... comedy needs Alexei.
Would love to see you back on the stage. All you need is a buck-toothed comic (who sleeps in his Jag) to do the warm-up, and you're away.
Sorry I mis-spelt your name when I sent the photo link, but I'm glad you liked it.
By " fifties champion" maybe they were referring to your waist measurement..........
Please Do Some More Stand Up Alexei - We love you! :)
Alexei, don't do any more stand up, you are not funny so don't even try, just go and be a fucking woodwork teacher.
Dan,
I don't mind criticism, but take your explitives and your moronic lack of talent somewhere else. I am sure the Cbeebies website is more suited to your intellectual level.
HERE HERE Steve:)
No room for infantile negatives :)
Well that's me fucking told.