Bill Bailey
November 15th 2007 21:54
Generally speaking I don't think my taste in comedy is terribly controversial but it occurred to me as I watched Bill Bailey perform in the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle that there are some things I just don't get.
Billy Bailey is so popular. People revere him as one of the best of the time and even comics seem to frequently list him as one of their favourites but I just don't get it.
And I want to.
I like his persona. It's not as it is with some comedians where I take a dislike to their performance, their manner and decide they are not for me. I wanted to love it. As I looked around at the 11,000 people who loved it I felt like I was being a right moody git. And stupid, too. How can all these people lap up this performance and I barely have the energy to raise a smile? Am I made of stone?!
There is something to be said for the venue. I think comedy in arenas is generally a bad idea. I had quite a good seat and yet still felt detached as if I may as well be watching the DVD (or, more likely, turning it off) but at least curled up on the couch rather than in the world's largest sauna. Comedy in a largish theatre can lose its charm, the intimacy, the atmosphere that makes you engage with the comic so much more, let alone an aircraft hanger which is designed to house vast quantities of amps and band members and... lasers? If I'm honest I don't know much about these music concert things but I do know that one little wild haired man onstage is drowned in this kind of venue.
I saw him a few years ago in a theatre and felt the same way though - excluded from the joke and trying with all my might for it to click and finally crumble into uncontrollable, weeping laughter.
Alas.
Maybe I'll try him one more time...?
Billy Bailey is so popular. People revere him as one of the best of the time and even comics seem to frequently list him as one of their favourites but I just don't get it.
And I want to.
I like his persona. It's not as it is with some comedians where I take a dislike to their performance, their manner and decide they are not for me. I wanted to love it. As I looked around at the 11,000 people who loved it I felt like I was being a right moody git. And stupid, too. How can all these people lap up this performance and I barely have the energy to raise a smile? Am I made of stone?!
There is something to be said for the venue. I think comedy in arenas is generally a bad idea. I had quite a good seat and yet still felt detached as if I may as well be watching the DVD (or, more likely, turning it off) but at least curled up on the couch rather than in the world's largest sauna. Comedy in a largish theatre can lose its charm, the intimacy, the atmosphere that makes you engage with the comic so much more, let alone an aircraft hanger which is designed to house vast quantities of amps and band members and... lasers? If I'm honest I don't know much about these music concert things but I do know that one little wild haired man onstage is drowned in this kind of venue.
I saw him a few years ago in a theatre and felt the same way though - excluded from the joke and trying with all my might for it to click and finally crumble into uncontrollable, weeping laughter.
Alas.
Maybe I'll try him one more time...?
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