Clue at the New-castle

Thursday began the trek up to Newcastle upon Tyne for the third recording of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’s 51st series. It’s the furthest I’ve travelled to see a recording, but it was worth it. Not only did I get to see Rob Brydon hosting, but also got to meet up with several other fans who all post on the Saucy Gibbon site.

After a morning of picnic breakfasts on the train and enormous cake and coffee at the Baltic, it was time to meet up with the other Gibboners outside the theatre, as we’d arranged. I’d already been in to collect my tickets earlier in the day. Eventually all ten of us were gathered and we headed off to find somewhere for something to eat. We found a suitable place just round the corner and squashed round the largest table we could find. Food and drink ordered, we settled down to chatting and introducing ourselves to those of us who didn’t know each other. Massive plates of food arrived to sate our hungry tums, which was all washed down with the longest, and possibly silliest, game of Cheddar Gorge ever played in a Newcastle restaurant.

Then it was time to head back round the corner and into the theatre. We’d all booked separately, so all had seats spread throughout the auditorium. After finding our seats towards the front of the stalls and waving to the others, we settled down for a very amusing show.

At this point I could contrast Rob Brydon’s turn as host with Jack Dee’s, but I feel that would be unfair; not only are they two very different comedians with different styles, but Rob also had the advantage of having hosted the show before (on the final date of the tour last year when Humph was in hospital). I will say that Rob seemed very comfortable in the chair and was very relaxed, laughing away at the jokes and puns. It highlighted how nervous Jack had seemed in Southampton, although that may not be so obvious from the broadcasts.

The guest panellist for the evening was Phill Jupitus, who hasn’t been on the show for a good few years, so it was a welcome return for him. He fitted in perfectly and pitched his performance exactly right for the style of the show, which is much less frantic than his more usual appearances on Buzzcocks or QI.

As usual, I won’t say much about the content of the show before it’s broadcast, apart from to mention a few highlights which shouldn’t spoil anyone’s enjoyment of listening. Top of my list has to be Phill’s Dalek impression which, without the aid of a ring modulator, was almost spot on! Another highlight was the letter writing round – always one of my favourites to watch – which often has Tim and guest suffering with giggles, but this time the normally un-flappable Graeme Garden appeared to be desperately trying not to laugh on several occasions. And speaking of mirth, Phill had somewhat uncontrollable hysterics after Rob delivered a line about Samantha.

After the show it was a speedy exit to the stage door, avoiding the camera crew talking to people for breakfast news. Our rather large group was joined by quite a few others, so by the time everyone came out there was a substantial crowd waiting and it was difficult to get to speak to everyone. Our group managed to surround Phill first, and gave him the sign, as we all follow him on Twitter – he seemed astounded that there were so many of his followers there. Photos and autographs followed. Then I turned and spoke to Colin Sell, as he always seems slightly undervalued at the stage door, despite being an essential part of the team. Next I managed to find Graeme for a little chat. He asked about the sofa (again), which I assured him is still safe [it's sitting in front of me on my desk as I type].

Finally I got to speak to Tim, the others having been whisked away in taxis. He quickly solved the mystery of what had happened in Southampton – it seems he was busy elsewhere being gallant and helpful – but I honestly wasn’t complaining, just being concerned. There were plenty of hugs all round and just time for a group photo with all the Gibboners before he too had to leave.

As none of us wanted the evening to end just yet, the majority of the group had a wander round to find somewhere to have a drink or two. Having found somewhere, we chatted and laughed into the early hours before wearily wending our way to find sleep, until the next time …

New Clue

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.

Silent, but dead funny!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending an afternoon of Buster Keaton shorts at the Barbican in London. Now I wouldn’t say that I’m a huge fan of silent comedy, although the few films I have seen over recent years I have appreciated. So why did I choose to go? Well, it could have something to do with the fact that the afternoon was being introduced by Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor and was also to feature some clips from The Goodies showing how they had been influenced by Keaton. So C and I took seats on the front row, with a few Giddies and other forum folk scattered nearby, to see what the afternoon would bring.

I really enjoyed watching the films and was captivated not only by how funny they were, but also how clever Keaton and his film makers were – pushing the skills and techniques of a still fairly new art form. There were a few particular bits where I forgot to laugh as I was so in awe of the photographic skills, particularly in The Playhouse where Keaton was playing all the roles on screen. Graeme and Tim spoke between each film to explain various things and during one of these Graeme told of how this effect was done – by screening off each part of the film to film one character in the scene before winding the film back, moving the screen and filming the next one. All the more impressive when you think it was being done on hand cranked cameras!

In addition to the Keaton films there was a short selection of clips from The Goodies, to demonstrate some of the influence they took from silent comedy. I’d like to say I know the clips used fairly well, but they took on a whole new dimension with the piano accompaniment of the amazing Neil Brand (who had been providing the live soundtrack for the afternoon – who knew you could recreate the sounds of gunshots and bells and all sorts of other things on a piano??!) I did also find myself watching the Keaton films and spotting bits that had been reused in The Goodies – it seems they weren’t so creative and innovative as I’d thought (only joking!)

After the films there was plenty of time for chatting in the bar, although not really about the films, as I know nothing – apart from what I’d learnt that afternoon. Graeme commented on how much easier it was to get to than Leafield. I’m not convinced – the Barbican is a maze of concrete, and the lanes of Oxfordshire are so much prettier. And I had a chat with Tim while I asked him to sign my The Zygon Who Fell To Earth CD about Zygons in their many forms [hmm .... that sounds slightly surreal, but it seemed perfectly normal at the time] and how he hadn’t heard the adventure yet. Then it was time for hugs all round before heading off home (having taken a slight diversion to Mornington Crescent!).