Steve Coogan: my thoughts

I went last night.

Overall.....? I loved it. The characters before the interval were, in many ways a warm up for thre main event - an hour of Partridge gold. If you like Partridge, you would have loved it.

Pauline Calf was fine - a few good gags, but it's the deliverey that appears to be letting Coogan down. He does seem to be reaching for the jokes sometimes, like he' just memorised them and it occasionally made for uncomfortable viewing. 6/10

Tommy Saxondale was next and to be honest was the weakest section of the light. Started brightly, but the 'before and after' drug gags grew a little wearying. 5/10

Duncan Thicket was always one of my favourite early Coogan characters and things picked up after the Saxondale sag - a routine with a ventriloquist's dummy was both frivolous and dark. Proper Coogan. 6/10

Paul Calf next and the best of the pre-Partridge fair. A fantastic gag (punchline: "...with YOU'RE A CUNT' written on it") and a couple of good set pieces with a saucy nurse and his gypsy girlfiend ended the first half on a high. 7/10.

Interval

Alan Partridge then, for the rest of the show. A hilarious video introduction to AP's new personal improvement programme and a great song to start with. So much of his whole routine had me creased up. Sponsored by Whiskers... Hitler and JFK... the Why-Aye computer... and purchasing a penis enlargement online while doing an interview.

The Partridge play about Thomas More was so much better than I expected and the visual comedy of a fluffed line, balancing his mandolin and 'a message from the pope' was gold. Loved it. 9/10

In a way though, the highlight of the night was Coogan singing a song at the end, as himself and about himself; the beautifully constructed "Everyone's a bit of a c**t sometimes".

So overall? Well worth it and if you're a Coogan fan and forgive hims occasionally self indulgent style of comedy you won't be disappointed. You won't love every minute but for nigh on two hours that would be some feat.

Take a look at the Guardian review too - that hits the mark. And if others didn't like it... their loss. Absolutely NOT the car crash some have suggested and way better than I had been expecting. Quality.

Posted By: The Judge on October 23rd 2008 at 19:30:37

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