I saw Steve Coogan's show, Alan Partridge and less successful characters, at the Liverpool Arena on Sunday 12th October. I had been looking forward to the show for some weeks and, like most other people there, the return of our 'hero', Alan Partridge himself. It was therefore very disappointing to find that the show lacked anywhere near the impact of the TV shows that made him a household name.
Steve did his own warm-up in the first half of the show, with Pauline Calf, Saxondale, Duncan Thickett and Paul Calf doing a turn and a crowd who had come to be entertained were generous to what was really a tepid first half. Unfortunately, the expected reward for their generosity did not arrive, as the second half, fully devoted to Alan Partridge, failed by a long way to live up to expectations. The script was generally unfunny, with only the occasional Partridge-ism thrown in and a large portion of the section was given over to a play written by & starring Alan, about Thomas More. It felt like a school play, failing dismally to raise any laughs. Many members of the audience were leaving before the end and, amongst the shouts from them as they left, perhaps 'Seeya Steve, try to be funny next time' was the most appropriate.
Add to the lack of comedy in this comedy show the fact that the star was extremely under-rehearsed, regularly referring to prompt cards for his lines, and the whole event was a massive disappointment. It may well be that the Partridge TV show formats do not lend themselves to the stage well, though I think I am clutching at straws. If you were thinking of spending £30-£40 on this, I'd suggest you think again and buy an Alan Partridge DVD.
Steve did his own warm-up in the first half of the show, with Pauline Calf, Saxondale, Duncan Thickett and Paul Calf doing a turn and a crowd who had come to be entertained were generous to what was really a tepid first half. Unfortunately, the expected reward for their generosity did not arrive, as the second half, fully devoted to Alan Partridge, failed by a long way to live up to expectations. The script was generally unfunny, with only the occasional Partridge-ism thrown in and a large portion of the section was given over to a play written by & starring Alan, about Thomas More. It felt like a school play, failing dismally to raise any laughs. Many members of the audience were leaving before the end and, amongst the shouts from them as they left, perhaps 'Seeya Steve, try to be funny next time' was the most appropriate.
Add to the lack of comedy in this comedy show the fact that the star was extremely under-rehearsed, regularly referring to prompt cards for his lines, and the whole event was a massive disappointment. It may well be that the Partridge TV show formats do not lend themselves to the stage well, though I think I am clutching at straws. If you were thinking of spending £30-£40 on this, I'd suggest you think again and buy an Alan Partridge DVD.