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Michael McIntyre

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Wembley Arena
Arena Square, HA9 0DH

Evening Standard rating Bruce Dessau's rating
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Description: Observational comedy from the TV and radio panel show regular.


Times: Nov 24, 8pm

Price: £30

Trains: Tube: Wembley Park Overground network

Phone: 0870060 0870
Website: www.whatsonwembley.com

Extra info: Pub, Food, Parking, Air Conditioning

 
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The timing is right for gifted gagsmith Michael McIntyre

By Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard  05.10.09
 
Michael McIntyre

Quickfire quips: Michael McIntyre has burst onto the scene at a time when people really need cheering up

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The rise of Michael McIntyre has been so rapid it must have surprised even the 33-year-old performer himself. Five years ago he was a circuit journeyman, today he is virtually the biggest stand-up in the country, packing out Arenas during a period of national belt‑tightening.

No wonder he had a huge grin on his face when he did his trademark skip‑walk onto the Wembley stage on Friday night.

Ten minutes into his set it was easy to see why he has become so popular.

Fast-paced punchlines and quickfire quips about the frustrations of traffic jams, shopping for shoes and bringing up demanding children prompted multiple nods of recognition as well as cascades of chuckling.

Like a consummate politician tapping into our fears about street crime, this gifted gagsmith brilliantly articulates our anxieties about modern life’s minutiae.

This is classic “we’ve all been there” humour. Who has not inwardly chuckled at the ridiculousness of ordering drinks from the extensive wine list, or as McIntyre dubs it, the “book of gibberish”?

For the countless couples in the crowd there were spot-on swipes at the way that lust is eventually replaced by a series of negotiations, with passion scheduled in between meal preparations.

Cynics say McIntyre goes for mundane targets, yet for every route one riff about Ryanair, mobile phones or cosmetics counter assistants wearing most of their product on their faces, there are imaginative flights of fancy or neat back references.

Superficially the show feels like a check-list of generic gripes but there is more craft here than initially meets the eye.

Plenty of excellent mirth merchants have peddled similar observational patter in recent years — Paul Tonkinson, Jeff Green and Ed Byrne, for instance — yet few, apart from Peter Kay and Lee Evans, are as persuasive or instinctive as McIntyre. Timing clearly helps, too. The shiny-haired stand-up has emerged during a turbulent period when people need laughter. Originality might be lacking but giggles are guaranteed.

Also 24 November & O2 Arena 2, 3, 17 November. Information: 0844 844 0444, www.offthekerb.co.uk.

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Reader reviews (5)

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We saw him on Sunday night - his last show at Wembley. Beforehand my father in law [82!!] said he loved his humour as he didn't feel the need to constantly swear like the rest of his rivals. Well, there were a few f-ings and chuffings but not in an aggresive way and we loved it anyway- observational humour only works if you see the same world that others do [which is his particular skill]. I really loved the 'Scottish Widows' skit which I won't ruin by repeating here - go buy the DVD in November!!

- Kevin Jones, Ottershaw, Surrey

Really good comedian! Seems like a nice guy as well. Glad to see he’s over taking from Peter Kay as the nation favourite comedian, a man who I hear nothing but bad things about...

- Paul B, London

Whoo! Seeing Michaal McIntyre in 12 days!! I love him, and his loveley bouncy hair!! He'll go far (well, farther)! <3

- Pj, Pontefract

This man is very, very good. His presentation, with his trademark boyish grin and darting eyes is infectious. Good luck!

- Burton J Helling, Le Hommet d'Arthenay,Normandy, France

I went to see this show on Thursday at Wembley Arena with my girlfriend and we both found it thoroughly enjoyable, even the part when the large video screens at the back of the stage broke down. This did not detract from the evening in the least and Michael although a little thrown at the beginning dealt with it in style. This is a must see and it really made both of our weeks.

- Gareth, London


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