Billy Connolly – The Man Alive

Billy Connolly says nothing funny happened to him today, or any day – but it’s clear that although he may not see it that way he certainly turns small details and random adventures into hilarious events through his delivery and bright enquiring consideration. He implores us to, in times of economic difficulties and hardship in the news, embrace the lunacy – which he ably demonstrates, lifting the spirits of all with a marvellous show about himself, his family and his history. Starting by tackling head-on the stories of earlier issues in the tour with hecklers, constantly distracted and suspending tension to laughter beautifully as he nipped about with verbal dexterity between tales, Billy was clearly having fun. So much in fact that the Big Yin’s scheduled non stop two hour show – an impressive feat in itself – carried on to nearly three hours without a dip. Perfectly lovely, if exhausting by the end.

Brighton Centre, 15 March 2012
Rating:
Victoria Nangle