Reviews

Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse at the Colston Hall on the 30th October 2015

Posted on: 2015-11-01

Despite the constant stream of well-loved but well-worn figures, the performance was completely up-to-date and relevant. Each character had something current and witty to say, crystallising the timelessness of some of their finest characters.

---

 

Pioneering comedy duo Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse took to the Colston Hall in Bristol on the 30th October, as part of their Legends! tour.

From the moment the show began, I knew it would be a reviewer’s worst nightmare. We love nothing more than snide comments and poking holes, even the kinder among us can fill a page with constructive criticism, and yet here was a performance bereft of all flaws. Obviously this comes as no surprise, Harry and Paul have been in the business together for 25 years, and have broken some impressive ground during that time. Harry Enfield and Chums, The Fast Show, and the more recent Harry and Paul were all huge hits, and have been cited as the primary inspiration for the modern sketch show formula.

Raised as I was on the likes of Reeves and Mortimer, Mayall and Edmondson, and of course Harry and Paul themselves, I found myself surrounded by people far older than I. A crying shame, but a problem which I feel has been in part exacerbated by the stagnation around Harry Enfield’s Brand Spanking New Show, and some of the less funny episodes of Harry and Paul. Enfield especially seemed to need reminding that just being rude for the sake of it isn’t actually funny. Clearly, though, that gentle push has come in the form of Paul Whitehouse. The duo work perfectly together, and always have. There is a genuine chemistry that seems a heady mix of unbreakable, powerful friendship and deep-seated loathing. This shone through on the night, especially when the script slipped away from them on occasion, revealing two chronically funny men who are able to think on the spot, and craft a character out of thin air should the need arise.

For anyone who went as a fan – and at a price of £40 per ticket, I’m quite sure most did – the show had everything you could want. Think of your favourite character from Harry and Paul’s world… and I guarantee they will have popped up at some point. Wayne and Waynetta, Loadsamoney, the Self Righteous Brothers, Julio Geordio, Kevin the Teenager, Lee and Lance, and even Whitehouse’s Fast Show tailor made an appearance. Despite this constant stream of well-loved but well-worn figures, the performance was completely up-to-date and relevant. Each character had something current and witty to say, crystallising the timelessness of some of their finest characters. Smashie and Nicey returned with topical court cases hovering over their heads (I’ll let you work that one out for yourselves), Wayne was a widow, and Kevin and Perry discovered the joy of texting. All of which was exceptionally funny. No joke went unfulfilled, with the audience laughing hysterically throughout every sketch. There were no dry patches or risky jokes that left an awkward silence hanging, everything was perfectly tailored (suits you, sir) to fit the audience.

The set itself was pretty impressive, a huge old style TV filled the back of the stage, and various props littered the front, hinting at what, or who, was to come. Between live sketches, and presumably when they had to change outfits, the TV screen would fill with a pre-recorded sketch, which was always hilarious and perfectly timed. Their brilliant self-awareness and astute political voice absolutely held this performance, and to me at least there has never quite been one like it.

Due to popular demand, Harry and Paul will be returning to Bristol on the 20th November, and I would urge anyone who has ever laughed at anything to go.

5/5

Reviewed for 365Bristol by Miri Teixeira

 

---