Paul Merton – Out Of My Head

A performance rather than a traditional stand-up show, Merton shared stories from his childhood, extracts from those he admired (including Max Miller and friend Julian Clary) and the trauma of finding himself in a mental facility just when his success was taking off with his own TV programme and fame on Whose Line Is It Anyway. Truly at times it felt like a vaudevillian glimpse into the man’s brain as puppetry, ventriloquism and improvisation came together with staging and script to present a twisted and confused time, with the aid of three very active improv chums (Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and SukiWebster).Truly a remarkable telling of one man’s tale using the horn of plenty from twentieth century comedy. Unique.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 20 April 2012
Rating:
Victoria Nangle