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Barry Cryer: Still Alive
Victoria Theatre, Halifax
Leeds-born Barry Cryer, veteran scriptwriter, broadcaster, author, after-dinner speaker favourite and stand-up comedian is very much Still Alive.
With his musical director Colin Sell at the piano, the urbane raconteur, now "the oldest middle-aged man in Britain" at 74, was in his element as he treated his appreciative audience to what was billed as "a decorous orgy of nostalgia – two hours of chuckle therapy".
At the bidding of his "Butterfly Brain" – the title of his latest volume of memoirs, the stories flowed effortlessly. He made it all look so easy which is no surprise given he has written jokes for top British comedians for more than 30 years. With his relaxed style, unforced delivery, and ability to make sharp, witty observations come over as somehow benign and utterly inoffensive he sees the funny, inconsequential side of things, a refreshing change from the cynical, expletive-ridden rants of younger stand-ups today.
After the "incontinence break" he plucked some questions audience members had, or perhaps hadn't written from Barry's Bucket to inspire more jokes and reminiscences about music hall and variety, peppered with plenty of affectionate name-dropping.
In "Clue" tradition he sang Amazing Grace to the tune of The House of the Rising Sun and with a defiance that belied his age belted out the Zimmerframe Blues, wry and wistful reflections on the various physical dysfunctions assailing his generation.
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Weather for Halifax
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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