One of the things that always ruined Ivor Cutler gigs was the audience laughter; there's a live album of Life in A Scotch Sitting Room which I can't bear to listen to. I think John Peel said the same thing - it's just not that sort of 'humour'. Time was, at the old Morden Tower gigs where it was very intimate on perfect summer nights or dark windy winter evenings, one drew close in a idyllic sort-of storytelling-cum-seance. Do I remember him asking two especially loud audience members to curb their enthusiasms? I've got Andy Kershaw sessions which are ruined by Kershaw's laughing too... On (studio) record, Radio Three & John Peel you were never troubled by such things. It was rare Ivor Cutler played for laughs (although he does crack here & there on the LIASSR album); he's a quiet & dignified surrealist, which is one of the things I've always loved about him.

Within a few years of first seeing him, he'd gone from playing to audiences of 15 or so at Mordern Tower to doing huge theatre gigs. I tried one once but it just didn't feel right somehow - you lost the cranky pedagogic aspect, but I've no doubt it was better for his bank account!

Another favourite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlzy9PvSb9w

(Comes in after 3 minutes).