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Jim Davidson - Full On

Published Friday 19 August 2005 at 12:40 by Mark Ritchie

Those venturing into the audience to see Jim Davidson’s latest tour seem to know exactly what they are going to get, especially given the nature of the advance billing.

Davidson ploughs his own comedy furrow and his ‘take me or leave me’ approach to his adult performances has seemingly ensured that his following know only too well what to expect in advance.

Perhaps this sums Davidson up as a man, at least judging by his recent published autobiography, which suggests that a certain hard-nosed cynicism runs through him like lettering through a stick of Skegness rock.

Technically I doubt whether Davidson has an equal amongst the more conversational style of stand-up comedians. However the nature of the material will raise hackles in certain quarters.

Much is made of Davidson’s supposed racist approach. I personally couldn’t see what the fuss was about on that score.

As for some of the subject matter in his stand-up, such as attitudes to the disabled, female ejaculation and a frankly alarming sketch on the distinction between consensual sex and rape, well, the only conclusion that I reached is that Davidson certainly isn’t short on bottle.

Politically I would venture to suggest that Davidson’s ideal choice for prime minister would be a child born of Margaret Thatcher and fathered by John Wayne. I recall seeing Davidson’s stand-up back in the eighties when the miners’ strike was at its height. His Skegness performance suggests that his warmth in relation to the Conservative party hasn’t cooled. Davidson is his own man and to his loyal followers he is both hilarious and astute.

Supporting act was comedy impressionist Aiden J Harvey. One of the mainstream entertainers on the missing list from TV land in recent years, Harvey proved to be an engaging and witty warm up man.

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