Parti-colored Hilarity

Written by Paul Blumer Thursday, 11 February 2010 00:01

Faneuil’s notorious underground den of comedy.

he first thing you notice, walking into the door labeled “Mottley’s” is that there’s no microphone and no stage, just a mostly empty bar occupied in large part by staff.  After getting your ID back from the bouncer, you realize you have to go downstairs, and you smile with slight embarrassment.  The bouncer nods as if he’s seen such behavior before.

But then in the basement, you realize you’re in the right place as laughter boils up the stairs.  The low-slung ceiling consists of age-darkened wooden beams, and the walls are good-natured brick.  Anyone on the tall side of six feet must feel somewhat stooped, and anyone without an imaginative conspiratorial bent must feel out of place.  It’s a cozy cellar, with long scarred tables topped with sloshed drinks.  Seating is tight, but that doesn’t stop numerous rude patrons getting up and squeezing through on the way to the restroom.  Fortunately, the performers are more than willing to make laughingstock of such behavior.

Mere inches away from the early-arrival seats is a purely ceremonial dais, which is more like a rug, with the requisite solitary microphone.  No stool here, though: not enough room.  For the performers, the audience is brutally close.  For the audience, the comedians are just brutal.  Mike Dorval—the headline act—is particularly adept at working the audience, remembering people’s names and improvising his jokes to fit.  The way he shuts down that ubiquitous annoying-remark-shouter is masterful—even brilliant.

The scene is set by a series of opening acts, each of whom tries his beer-soaked damnedest to bust our ribs with laughter.  By the time your cheeks hurt and tears are streaming from your eyes, you’ll be ready for the headliner.  Once that’s all over, the party upstairs will have worked out its kinks into full-blown weekend mode.  Cherish it.

One great feature of Mottley’s that ought to be praised from the rooftops is the click-on lights (shaped like the Easy Button) for summoning the cute waitress to replace drained drinks.  I have not seen that anywhere around town, but it’s ingenious.  Works like a charm.

Check out the calendar at www.mottleyscomedyclub.com to see a listing of upcoming events.  Every Wednesday is a celebration of the economic slump, with tickets at just $8—unless you’re a student, in which case it’s $5—unless you can prove you’re unemployed, in which case it’s free.  

Mottley’s is a fantastic comedy club for anyone with an underground appreciation.  What it lacks in glamour it more than makes up in character and a prima facie welcome.  In a world of digital readouts and fluorescent lighting, Mottley’s is an entrenched cove of pure comedy without the glitz.  

More Information
www.mottleyscomedyclub.com
61 Chatham St
Boston, MA
877-61-LAUGH
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Most shows start at 8pm
All shows 21+

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