John Shuttleworth

Versatile singer-songwriter from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, John Shuttleworth left his garden shed to perform to a full Theatre Royal. And hang the petrol money! The star of Radio 4’s The Shuttleworths, and TV’s 500 Bus Stops and It’s Nice Up North was on fine form, sharing his thoughts and advice on life, mortality, New Romantics (most of whom have been pretty quiet of late as he points out) as well as showcasing his aforementioned versatility as a singer-songwriter. Classic Shuttleworth numbers included ‘Smells Like White Spirit’, ‘I Can’t Go Back To Savoury Now’, ‘Pigeons In Flight’, and a great new paen to the that highlight of the week ‘Here Comes Midweek’. The musings of Graham Fellowe’s alter ego centre around the small but meaningful incidents in his life – including the banishment of his keyboard to the garden shed (he was disturbing his wife Mary’s television viewing). Happily, there is the possibility of buying his manager and sole agent Ken Worthington’s Hansel And Gretel chalet. Even a call from Mary to say that Ken Worthington had broken her toaster while warming up a Peshwari Naan failed to dampen the mood. Brilliantly, warm observational comedy.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 20 Nov 2012
Rating:
Fiona McTernan