A small smiling man in cardigan and glasses walks on to the stage to huge applause and a sense of anticipation. This is a poetry show, but not in the least highbrow. Normal's verses are short, funny, poignant, thought provoking. Plus he has a deep well of stories to draw on from his time as a TV writer and producer. His tales of the antics of Caroline Aherne as Mrs Merton were a powerful reminder of what a talent she was. He also talks touchingly of his wife and son, and the humour in their lives, and his own working class upbringing in Nottingham.
The poems are smart, witty, revealing an oblique look at aspects of everyday life. Lots of clever rhymes, alongside groan inducing puns, and moving images. All interspersed with much laughter. Wonderfully original, although many of his his references are probably more meaningful to a more mature audience. (But since Henry is the same age as myself this wasn't a problem for me at all.)
And I'll always remember that nobody talks about haemorrhoids in Hollywood.
No comments:
Post a Comment