"One CCTV system, two Bontempi keyboards
and the 'Godfather of character comedy' John Shuttleworth, culminated in a
side-splitting journey through the trivial and mundane on Wednesday night
at the Civic Theatre. Sheffield's very own 'Pillock of the Community' treated
his capacity audience to a catalogue of hilarious observations and recommendations
for fool-proof home security and a better life in general, while simultaneously
guarding some off-cuts of wood, positioned back stage, with a camera linked
to the front of house. Working his way through a medley of memorable, if slightly
bizarre, ditties Graham Fellows' alter ego advised the crowd to boycott Mars
of Slough, for unforgivably phasing out the cardboard tray in Bounty packets
and told of his hatred for today's 'disaffected youth'.
At various points throughout the evening, John made way for Dave Tordoff (a
successful builder from Goole, who wants to get into after dinner speaking)
and Brian Appleton, an ageing rocker and media studies lecturer, who hails
from Solihull. As the performance drew to a close, there was just time to
sing along to Shuttleworth classics like 'Austin Ambassador 'Y' Reg' and 'Life
is like a Salad Bar'. There's another chance to experience this comedy genius,
when the show comes to Sheffield Crucible on Sunday May 11th.
Doncaster obviously has a devoted army of Shuttleworth fans, most of whom
left with a grin, but don't keep asking me why Reg, it just happened to be
a great night!"
Gavin Powers
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