‘The Man of 10,000 voices’ headlines next LOL Standup show

The 18th edition of the LOL Productions Standup Comedy Show will welcome a special guest, as it unveils its line-up of funnymen at The Dolmen Resort Hotel, Qawra on March 17 and 18.

Headlining this edition of the popular comedy nights will be Michael Winslow.

While he may not be an instantly recognisable name to many, one glance at his mug will surely bring back fond childhood memories. Though perhaps hearing his voice might actually prove to be the more effective memory-jog, because Winslow's nickname - The Man of 10,000 voices - is a well-earned moniker.

Following a couple of comedy spots on television in the 80s, Winslow catapulted into the public eye thanks to his starring role as Sgt 'Motor Mouth' Jones in the screwball comedy Police Academy, and its numerous sequels, while also lending his prodigious vocal talents and impeccable comic timing to notable comedy films Cheech and Chong's Next Movie, Gremlins and Spaceballs.

More recently, Winslow has also branched into animation, with forays into The Simpsons and Family Guy, while also giving a total sell-out performance Edinburgh Festival 2011, during which he received a standing ovation for each show.

But despite his success in both films and standup comedy, Winslow has a very relaxed attitude to his two-pronged career.

"I don't really consider myself a standup comedian. I was a actor first, and other than Police Academy and the other famous films, I've done commercials and several German movies 'translated to English'. Standup was a natural transition," Winslow says, describing his standup work as "more like a Vegas-class production".

Winslow also works as a motivational speaker on occasion, and sees no difference between this kind of 'performance' and his standup work.

"My job is to help people forget about the rent, from the moment the show begins!"

Given that his main talents lie with manipulating his voice in strange and interesting ways, one wonders how long he's known about this somewhat freakish gift.

"I lived on a military base and started imitating the sounds of airplanes when I was just six months old. My mother tells stories of how she would be afraid in the house sometimes because she didn't know it was me for awhile," Winslow says, while adding that he's "very excited" about visiting our shores.

"I have been around the world but I've never been to Malta. I am now very fascinated based on the great things that I have heard."

But Winslow will not be facing the local crowds alone.

Also in line is Matt Reed. Born and bred in Sunderland, Matt's affable style has won him fans across the UK. He effortlessly plays with the crowd with a natural rapport that is found in few comics. Matt, always ready, never disappointing will always make a good gig - great. With so many gigs of every size under his belt - from 3,000 to 30 - there is pretty much no comedy situation Matt can't handle.

And from way down under we have Benny Boot. The Australian comic has been performing comedy in the UK for eight years. He is considered by many comedians as a wonderful comedian to watch. Benny was a finalist in NBC's Last Comic Standing and was invited to the Vancouver Comedy Festival in 2005. He has performed in Edinburgh as part of the Just The Tonic Showcase (2006), for the Pleasance Comedy Reserve (2007) and debuted his first solo show, Set Up, Punchline... Pause for Laughter (2011). Boot delivers his jokes in a unique style on variety of strange topics. His engaging persona and material keeps the laughter rolling through the entire show and is guaranteed to bring any audience undone.

For more information please visit www.laughoutloud.com.mt or call hotline 9946 5816.  Tickets may be purchased from selected outlets or online via PayPal where tickets may be collected one hour prior to the show. Transport is also available at €4 return. Don't miss it; tickets for this event sell out fast!