The invite said ‘wear blue’. Or so it appeared for those on stage. Apart from the rebellious one!
Sunday evening in a wet and windy Southampton, cosseted away from the worst of the weather outside, I sat in the Mayflower Theatre waiting to see the return of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. It’s been over a year since the much-loved and much-missed jazz legend and chairman extraordinaire, Humphrey Lyttelton, died, leaving a gaping void at the heart of the show. Everyone seemed to agree that it should carry on, and after a respectful break it’s back. (It has actually been back for a couple of weeks now, but because of greedy bastards snaffling all the tickets for the first recording to sell at huge profit on eBay, I didn’t get to go to that one)
The show began, as always, with the arrival of Jon Naismith on stage, armed with a plethora of jokes (old and new) with which to warm up the audience. But before the jokes began there was a beautiful and warm tribute to Humph to which the audience responded with a spontaneous round of applause. Jon explained that our chairman for the evening, Jack Dee, had volunteered on the understanding that he wouldn’t be first (that honour fell to Stephen Fry). He was welcomed on stage along with the teams, guest panellist Jeremy Hardy and Colin Sell, Samantha arriving a little later as usual.
And so the recording began.
I won’t say too much about the recordings, to save spoiling the broadcasts for those of you who will be listening. But there was a great selection of rounds, including the return of some much missed old favourites. There was, of course, a round of Mornington Crescent, played with the latest game-playing computer. There was a slight glitch with the laser display board for one of the sound charades when it displayed a slightly different title to the one being acted, which confused a large part of the audience, as well as the teams when there was only a smattering of applause after the correct title was guessed.
And I can’t talk about a recording with Jeremy Hardy on the panel without mentioning singing. I think all the practice must be paying off as he’s become rather good. His one song to the tune of another was in tune right until the final note. And his kazooing was pitch perfect!
After the show it was round to a cold, but thankfully dry, stage door to wait for what seemed like ages before anyone appeared. Jeremy popped out then went back in again. Colin Sell went past with a group of people. Then finally Barry and Graeme appeared, stopped to sign a few things and have a quick chat before heading off. Jack and Jeremy came out not long after and again signed autographs for people before going. But where was Tim? I still don’t know, as eventually everyone grew bored of waiting and the group of fans dwindled away, until it was late and I had to go home without finding out.
