Paul Merton - 15th April 2012

Most touring comedians produce generic stand-up shows, featuring observation humour or beautifully honed themed shows where every word has been carefully crafted. And then there is Paul Merton. He first came to prominence in the 1980's doing improvisation on Channel 4 before cementing his reputation as one of the fastest wits on television in the everlasting " Have I Got News For You?" The long-running Radio 4 show " Just A Minute" has also allowed him to show a competitive streak as well as giving him the opportunity to disappear into his individual flights of fancy (for no more than 60 seconds). So,for his first stand-up tour he decided to avoid the loneliness of a solo outing and invited some friends along for company (including Richard Vranch who I have seen before, providing musical accompaniment on an Improvised tour) Basically, the show revolves round Paul Merton's life, mainly concerning the period he spent in a mental institution whilst appearing on " Whose Line Is It, Anyway?". This is obviously an extraordinary story and gives him the chance to reveal the surreal nature of what is inside his head. He is well known as a fan of silent movies and music hall and this evening is a throw back to the old-fashioned days of variety, general silliness and occasionally, really bad jokes. Any youngsters there to see that funny guy off the television may have wondered what they had wandered into, but anyone of the comedian's age would have enjoyed the nostalgic value of what they were seeing. This was not a slick performance. His delivery was nervous, often tripping over his words and repeating himself but that, somehow, only seemded to add to the chaerm of the evening. His companions (including the funny and versatile Suki Webster and Lee Simpson) re-created moments from his life and provided some impressively visual images, including gloriously, his bed flying to the moon. The greatest compliment I can make is that I hadn't been well all day and only willpower got me to the Millenium Centre. I may have only just been able to walk to my seat but the power of good comedy re-vitalised me, as I left in a much better state than I arrived. I won't claim Paul Merton has magic powers but if you want to see a fun and unusual show go and see this master craftsman at work.