REVIEW: THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN LIVE AGAIN @ BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

The cultural impact of Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith over the past 20 years cannot be under estimated. Gatiss is now feted as co-writer and star of Sherlock amongst many other successful projects, whilst Pemberton and Shearsmith have forged their own niche in comedy with the award-winning Inside No. 9 But it is collectively as The League Of Gentlemen that they have attained national treasure status. Together with their silent writing partner Jeremy Dyson, the combo burst onto the comedy scene in the 1990s making their mark at the Edinburgh Fringe, before bringing their crazy creations from the town of Spent to BBC Radio in 1997. However, it is the television series set in Royston Vasey which debuted in 1999 that shot their star into the stratosphere. A full three series and a Christmas special later, the world had fallen at the feet of the League, and embraced a number of catchphrases for the characters. The sure sign of a comedy pandemic. The inhabitants of Royston Vasey fell silent in 2000, briefly reprised in the movie The League Of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse in 2005 and then gloriously resurrected last year by the BBC for three Christmas anniversary half hours.

Now Gatiss, Pemberton and Shearsmith are back again with another live tour taking in theatres and arenas throughout the land.  It is worthwhile noting that despite massive success in television and movies over the past two decades, all three performers have kept up a strong presence in live theatre as solo performers. Their stage skills have been honed on plays and musicals, and they bring this wealth of experience to the new live show.

This latest live incarnation follows the format of their 2001 tour in that the first act sees the trio donning dinner jackets and bow ties to perform sketches from the history of the series, a sort of ‘greatest hits’ presentation. With just the odd prop or wig here and there to suggest the characters. We start with a song from Ollie, Dave and Phil – Legz Akimbo Theatre Company and the dangers of talking to strangers. An extract – we are told – from Ollie’s latest play ‘Swerve The Perv’. Naturally the audience greet the characters like returning messiahs. Any disappointment that ticket holders might have had at having fifty per cent of this ‘Live Again’ tour from recycled material is quickly put to bed by the classy playing of the three wise men. Thus we get to say hi again to that fine example of a happy marriage, Stella and Charlie as they play a game of Trivial Pursuit. That most sinister of newsagents Pop is back to meet his son Richie’s new girlfriend, Pamela Doove once again gets to try out for a new orange juice commercial and we are explained the finer details of playing “Go Johnny Go Go Go”. The Gents slip easily from one character to another, a gesture here, a change of voice there. We are so familiar with much of the material, that the fact they are not in full costume and make-up seems to matter not a jot. It is however, just the warm up for the fireworks of Act 2.

 The anniversary specials on BBC 2 last winter sought to bring us up to date with post-Brexit Royston Vasey, and it is from this point that we discover Tubbs Tattsyrup trapped in the ‘Wife Mine’, hoping forlornly for a reconciliation with her beloved Edward. Just the right occasion for a wistful ballad. We have truly entered Royston as the League full character guises for a wild trip through the greatest inhabitants of that peculiar town. Geoff Tipps joins Brian at Mike’s renewal of his wedding vows to Cheryl. This is one of Shearsmith’s triumphant moments. His playing of the paranoid Tipps is a delight on every level as he celebrates the union of his best friend and the woman he was supposed to murder. Inbetween sketches the very Reverend Bernice Woodall pops up to dispense advice on problems put from the audience. I have to confess Bernice has always been a favourite of mine, and she doesn’t disappoint with her brutal responses on some of life’s dilemmas. “Alles Klar?” The arrival of Duisburg’s double entendre king (or should that be queen) Herr Lipp is given a huge hand on his entrance. Those who have attended the live shows before know that Lipp is destined to come amongst us, and indeed he does, someone is selected to be star for a night and Pemberton deals with the audience interaction superbly. It wouldn’t be Vasey without its resident rock star Les McQueen, and indeed we do get a musical interlude with the ex-Creme Brulee guitarist. Gatiss also transforms wonderfully into the vet from hell Mr. Chinnery as he attempts to treat a giant panda. We sadly also have to attend the funeral of Pauline Campbell-Jones who is seemingly murdered in the latest episodes, and Mickey and Ross pay their respects with very different floral tributes. But can you keep a good re-start officer down? Pens are surely at the ready for what we know is as inevitable as a pig in a pokey. Throw in the toad obsessed Dentons, a holy Papa Lazarou and dodgy butcher Hilary Briss and it all adds up to an amazing evening of first class character comedy.

The audience are on their feet and cheering wildly as soon as the League theme plays at the close of the show, and well they might. The League of Gentlemen have passed into legend, their original take on comedy took us by storm 20 years ago and still leads the field today. The latest Live Again tour might not have quite the creative flair of the previous Are Behind You? show but it is certainly miles ahead of anything else likely to be found in the name of comedy. Hopefully we have not seen the last of Royston Vasey on TV, but for now lap up this glorious romp of a show with three performers at the very peak of their comedic powers. You’ll never want to leave.

 

REVIEW: THE DRESSING ROOM @ CREWE LYCEUM

There are certain productions that are almost un-reviewable, and I think The Dressing Room is probably one of them. Written by Bobby Ball it is described as part variety show, part play. However from the off it is clear that the play section is only very loosely that. We are taken to a dressing room of some hitherto unmentioned club or theatre where there is a variety bill taking place. So far so good. The compare is Billy Tents, a camp comic resplendent in a gold sequin suit played by former Crackerjack star Stu “I could crush a grape” Francis. The bill further consists of morose comedian Jimmy Laugh, portrayed by veteran clubland comic Johnnie Casson and of course Cannon & Ball.

Things get off to a rocky start with an ill rehearsed sequence where the acts arrive and have some banter, and set up their stage personas. It’s all a bit Generation Game, as lines are prompted and Bobby Ball frequently comes down to the footlights to point out yet another error in the acting. It is because of this that the world of the hard bitten variety circuit is never fully realised. If Francis, Casson, Cannon and Ball are going to have a laugh together on stage, that is great but why bother constructing alternative personalities for them? The pretence is never fully realised or justified. That is not to say there were not laughs a plenty. When you have four very funny men on stage, it would be almost disaster if the laughs were not coming thick and fast, which they do. But it feels the format has been not been fully liberated, the emphasis is on ‘mucking about’ rather than character driven comedy. A stage manager (Ann Marie) makes a couple of appearances too, but feels very much like an afterthought.  It is only when the three acts in question get to perform their solo spots (which makes up the vast majority of the evening) do we see some sparkle.

Perhaps Stu Francis has the hardest role, adopting a Graham Norton / Larry Grayson crossover. “What am I like?” is the catchphrase he throws out between every saucy gag. Francis is a clever and talented comic, but I think perhaps asking to be overly stereotyped is doing him an injustice. The entire evening feels as though we are thrown back into the 1970s at the Wheeltappers & Shunters Social Club (that’s just shown my age!). Not that it is a criticism as such, but you have to be in that retro frame of mind to watch the show, and given the average age of the audience that didn’t seem to be a problem. 

Johnnie Casson is a quick fire comedian, what the professor of comedy the late Ken Dodd would call a ‘droll’. He rattles off wife and mother-in-law gags with great aplomb. His slightly doddery demeanour hides a sharp and quick arsenal of gags, and the audience warm to him greatly. A few of his gags might not make TV these days, but it is all done with great panache and the experience of a man who paid his comedy dues a long time ago.

Bobby and Tommy as The Boys In Blue

 

Naturally, the second half is dominated by the legends themselves – Cannon & Ball. What can be said of this pair. 80 year old Tommy Cannon and 74 year old Bobby Ball are not often seen on TV nowadays, but they ought to be. They are without doubt one of the best double acts we have ever produced in the UK. There is nothing they have not done in the business: sell out stage shows, hit TV series and even their own feature film, 1983’s The Boys In Blue. From the moment the pair step onto the stage, they are welcomed with a wave of love by the audience. These are true working class heroes. They deliver their best loved routines: ping pong and Molly Malone with a perfection that only a lifetime of experience can bring. And in the best tradition of variety, finish off their hilarious spot with a sentimental song. It really is a comedy masterclass. This pair have comedy running through their bones, and are rightly national treasures.

Despite my reservations about the format, all three acts deliver the laughs aplenty, and on that score alone you are advised to get down to The Dressing Room if you can. In these times of increasing bad news, the show is indeed a tonic.  Rock on Tommy!

Tour details can be found at the Cannon & Ball Official Website