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Bruce Dessau's rating
Steve Coogan isn't so bad
By
Bruce Dessau
12 Nov 2008
Rumours of this show being catastrophically bad are unfounded. Provincial reports suggested the star was under-rehearsed. He has now certainly learned his lines and is frequently stomach-achingly funny. But Steve Coogan’s first major live outing for a decade is the weirdest hotch-potch of a comedy extravanganza in years.
The Mancunian mimic started out in light entertainment hell before pinning his colours to the alternative comedy mast. This show attempts to have it both ways, with knowing gags and nods to old-school acts from Max Miller to Benny Hill.
Things started well with the return of Pauline Calf, resembling a chunky Jerry Hall (odd for the real Hall, in the stalls). Pauline has written a spy thriller and after some choice single entendres read excerpts: “Revenge, like Wall’s Viennetta, is a dish best served cold.” Pauline’s bust might have got bigger, but her way with words remains enjoyably limited.
By contrast Coogan’s ex-roadie Tommy Saxondale lacked comic front. Failed comedian Duncan Thicket was more miss than hit. Student-hating Paul Calf saved the first half, recalling an ex: “She looked like SpongeBob SquarePants in a dress”.
The second half was on surer terrain when Alan Partridge bounded on to a rock soundtrack and relentless cries of “Aha”. The pathos-riddled, hapless host is now a personal development coach and presented his new programme, not a TV programme, a motivational programme. It worked for Ross Kemp, it can work for you. This routine mutated into a play about Sir Thomas More which made Ernie Wise seem like Robert Bolt.
It was quickfire, effective and daft but not as strange as what followed, Coogan as a grandiose version of himself satirising his own tabloid persona with an expletive-filled song and tap dance listing alleged misdemeanours.
A bizarre climax to a startlingly uneven show. The Partridge segment was jokingly sponsored by a cat food company, the rest was a dog’s breakfast.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (9)
Saw this show at the BIC while visiting friends. What a load of crap! I felt it was a total rip off at £36 and hugely dissappointing. I've had much more fun at the comedy nights at The Little civic in Woverhampton , costing just £6. The other acts were poor and amateur, the Alan Partridge sketch was good but over too soon. The last "song" everybodies a c*** sometimes just was not funny. I would definately give this one a miss!
- Sharon, kingswinford, 07/12/2008 23:17
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I was really disapointed, so was my Girlfriend. I did'nt know what to expect but poor content was a surprize. A few laughs at a few controversal lines, but that was it. 4 out of 10.
- Andy, Portsmouth, 26/11/2008 15:38
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The first half of this show was soooo awful that I nearly walked out. I only stayed to see Alan Partridge in the second half. Fortunately he saved the show but this segment only lasted 20 minutes or so. The rest of the show was disjointed, the jokes tired and Coogan broke into song at every opportunity? Shame, as I used to think that his humour was inspired.
- Hazel, Portsmouth, UK, 20/11/2008 23:38
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I love Steve Coogan! I only discovered him a couple of years ago on BBC America! You are so lucky to have seen him good or bad! All his characters are spot on. He is ahead of his time.
- Rebecca, San Francisco, CA. USA, 20/11/2008 06:41
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amazing show, didnt stop laughing from start to finish, big steve coogan fan and the first time ive ever seen him live and was certainly not disappointed, brilliant clever gags and acting, strong characters and material, he really got the audience going. my favourite was the whole second half dedicated to alan partridge - the nations treasure!! - i even shook his hand as he ran up the stairs - jackanackanory! - brilliant show, wish i was going again and cant wait for the dvd to re-live it all again! steve had me literally crying with laughter! - perfect comic timing - steve coogan is a true legend! - definitely the best comedy show ive ever seen live - excitement, songs, special effects and more - bloomin good value for £30!!
well done steve!
- Jen, portsmouth, 18/11/2008 17:41
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BIG Coogan fan , but sadly the show is terrible yes there are a few laughs but for £45 i could easily of spent that down the pub with my mates and had more fun there sadly this is not "PREMIER LEAGUE" but "PUB LEAGUE"
- Paul, London, 16/11/2008 02:15
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The show is brilliant! Granted, the first half was sporadic but still very funny - Paul and Pauline Calf being the highlights. The second half was superb - classic Partridge and a great song and dance routine. Can't wait for the dvd!
- Tim, London, 12/11/2008 18:24
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I thought the first half was terrible and you could feel the awkward silence from the audience. It was a lazy, thrown together show and some of the jokes were just desperate. The second half was much better, but overall I was very disappointed and didn’t think it was worth the money. Ha Ah Don’t! is my advice!
- Julie Ford, London, 12/11/2008 12:56
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I love Steve Coogan, but Monday's show at the Apollo showed that he was rusty and sometimes painful to watch, dare I say Moribund. There where a few splashes of comedy genius from Steve's characters but the format was copied from 10 years ago and the interval acts just a waste of time. Paul Calf is a charater we all find funny but on this night he struggled with little material to offer us. Where on earth has Steve Coogan been to dry up on his material? Alan Partridge was however on top form and made the show worth the money, but the sketch/play on Sir Thomas More was just not funny. I wanted to laugh more and was dissappointed for Steve. Better luck next time, as I will always give him another chance.
- Ian Moore, London, 12/11/2008 12:47
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