Best of British Variety Tour

Published Friday 8 August 2008 at 13:30 by Mark Ritchie

A huge union jack backcloth and the playing of the national anthem heralded the first night of this touring show in front of a sell-out crowd at the Embassy.

Comedian Frank Carson, acting in a comedy compere role, links the show together and gives us his accomplished hilarious blarney-filled banter between the other acts.

Although it would have been nice to see a variety show-style walk-down at the end, this production provides a platform for those on the television missing list to remind audiences that they are still very much alive and kicking.

Comedian Jimmy Cricket is one of the great front of tabs comedians, whose gentle family humour and letters from his mammy still prove irresistibly charming.

The Krankies are the real surprise package. A great performance here and the act still looks so fresh. Although this is, of course, not the first successful comedy schoolboy act - remember Jimmy Clitheroe?

Brotherhood of Man closed the first half and showed the type of stagecraft and pizzazz that was learned during the great days of the variety clubs.

With so many comedy acts on the show was always going to over-run, but Paul Daniels, who opened the second half, clearly needed no introduction. A quite superbly polished performance here from a man who makes appearing personable, likeable and skilful simultaneously look oh so easy.

“We’re bringing back variety,” exclaims bill-toppers Cannon and Ball. Some people may reply, “If only”, after a performance which showed this much-loved double act at their most surreal, with the odd dab of pathos thrown on to the comedy canvas for good measure.

Prime time telly again for this lot? I doubt it, but wouldn’t it be nice!