3, 2, 1 With Flange Krammer

At the interval I was lightheaded with laughter, as Flange desperately fought against the barrage of technical difficulties that pushed what looked like it would have been a funny night into freewheeling hysteria. A true pro, whilst continuing to deliver his innuendo laden puns with gusto. The format framed the first half as a showpiece for ‘international skiing playboy’ Flange, and as a gameshow peaking with a single winner who would then re-appear in the second half. This was when order was restored somewhat as three guests – likeable poet Malcolm Head; historical comic meeting Henry VIII to Les Dawson, Matt Ewans; and off the wall stand-up Adam Hess with a beautiful line about getting out of Scouts – performed short sets and delivered up clues and riddles for a prize, in a loosely similar fashion to the original 3, 2, 1. All ably assisted by the woefully underused Gemma Whelan. This was raucous, but a shambles in parts. Next time it should simply be raucous.

The Old Market, 20 November 2013

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