Comedy / Bristol old vic
Review: John Shuttleworth, Bristol Old Vic
Ken Worthington. A little fella with a big Afro and Cuban heels, whose claim to fame is coming last in the New Faces final. He is also John Shuttleworth’s next door neighbour and the bloke who left the ‘D’ off Shuttleworth’s poster advertising his new show, A Weekend to Remember.
So, instead of being an evening of fond memories of weekends past, our host is contractually obliged to spend time talking about little Ken. To be fair, Shuttleworth isn’t happy.
Contracts and Ken anecdotes aside, this is Shuttleworth’s second visit to Bristol. Late last year, he was at “the scruffy place round the corner”: this time he finds himself headlining the “recently refurbished but still antiquated” Bristol Old Vic.
Despite millions being spent on the refurb of the country’s oldest continually running theatre, Shuttleworth still came up with suggestions on how to improve the place. Ripping out the seats and putting some nice Formica tables in the Pit was a top choice.
Clad in his trademark leather jacket and burgundy jumper, Shuttleworth treated us to hits such as God Bless The Fleece – hailing the rise of the fleece and consequent demise of the cagoule – plus the aggressively up-tempo Relatives in Rotherham and the rock and roll Late Arrangement For An Early Tea. Most music styles suit Shuttleworth’s repertoire, it turns out – except folk which, according the man himself, encourages slovenly dress.
In between memories of his favourite weekends, which include visits to the ‘humbling’ Pencil Museum and the Bulb Museum (good for 11 minutes), we hear some of Ken’s own stories which, as it turns out, cannot be trusted as he enjoys a cheeky midday Malibu. The facts are blurred and may well be the ravings of a drunken man.
In an industry saturated with stand-up comics, character comedy done well is a refreshing change. Shuttleworth harks back to a time far enough behind us to know we are safe – but within memory, so that we can recognise the style. Mere mention of the humble beaker is enough to get the audience going. The highlight of the eBay/toaster fiasco is enough to keep you laughing for weeks.
A Wee Ken To Remember is beautiful and bonkers – and it’s just one bloke, his organ and the occasional mirror ball.
John Shuttleworth: A Wee Ken to Remember was at Bristol Old Vic on Thursday, March 19, in association with The Comedy Box. For forthcoming comedy lineups, visit www.thecomedybox.co.uk
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
