30th May Basic Lee


On Sunday evening, it was time for another solo jolly into Nottingham for a little bit of mirth and merriment. Appearing for  the last of his four nights at the Playhouse was one of my favourite comedians, the wonderfully sardonic  Stewart Lee. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Stewart Lee, shame on you, for those of you who are well you will not need me to tell you what a wonderful two hours it was.

Lee first came to my attention as part of Fist of Fun, alongside the equally wonderful Richard Herring and is often referred to as the comedian's comedian, whatever that is supposed to mean. And I managed to catch him a couple of years ago when he did his double header 'Snowflake and Tornado' show at the same venue. This current show featured material from across his entire back catalogue,which during the first half he used to demonstrate how he puts together a show and then in the second half showed how he delivers such materiial.

And yet to try and describe what he does and how he does it is notoriously difficult but does that really matter if it produce 120 minutes of very funny amusement. Let's just say it isn't 'Live at the Apollo'.

I especially like his opening riff when he describes how back in 189 he was doorstepped by an evangelical Christian who said to him, 'Jesus is the answer, now what is the question?' to which Lee replies in no particular order

1 Is it the role for which renowned thespian Robert Powell won a BAFTA?

2 Is it the word that comes before a type of footwear made very popular in the late 60's by hippies?

3 Is it the missing word from this Scotish indie rock band..The ...... and Mary Chain?

By this time Lee had the predonimantly male audience ( you shoud have seen the queueu for the toilets!) in the palm of his hand and held them there for the rest of the evening. Who knows even TOM might have found him funny. But then again probably not.

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