Review: Steve Coogan, Royal Concert Hall
STEVE Coogan's show is called Alan Partridge and Less Successful Characters, and, unsurprisingly, is based around a Partridge centrepiece where the erstwhile star, in his own mind, is now a motivational speaker and treats us to a performance of the play he wrote, directed and stars in. That whole section is a triumph of characterisation, but the rest of the show is not such a success.
While characters like Pauline and Paul Calf, Duncan Thicket and Tommy Saxondale have always been well-developed and observed, the first part of the show feels forced and cobbled together. There are bright spots, like Paul Calf's Steven Hawking parody, Duncan Thicket's ventriloquist act and a running gag about Ross Kemp, but they generate titters rather than belly-laughs. Between characters Coogan's supporting cast perform sketches, but again they feel rushed.
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Coogan as Alan Partridge
In the second half of the show, we catch up with Alan Partridge, and Coogan ceases to be. Like many of the best characters, like Dame Edna and Al Murray, Alan Partridge is a fully-developed personality and we see all the quirks in this well constructed pastiche. This is followed by a 'show within a show' as Partridge overstretches himself in the role of Sir Thomas More.
The show ends with the end of Partidge's play but there is still time for an encore, but rather than another character, Coogan parodies himself and the media representation of him, but I can't tell you what the song was called for reasons that will be obvious to anyone who sees the show.
Overall, Coogan's mastery of developing believable characters is a pleasure to watch, but it's only in the Partridge section enough time had been taken to give the character quality material.
STEVE HAINES
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by Colin, gamston
Sunday, October 12 2008, 7:44AM
“dreadful - awfull - poor second rate entertaiment - it was mainly boring - Coogan only had moments where he was any good but the acts when he was off stage for costume changes were cringingly bad - the last song was pointless, embarrasing, rude & offensive - to sum up, it was a waste of time & money not to be repeated”
by Dan, West Bridgford
Friday, October 10 2008, 10:01AM
“Considering how big Steve Coogan is and how many people had paid for tickets to see their idol on this tour, it was disappointing to say the least. He's obviously got his finger in too many pies at the moment and on the whole this show was largely under rehearsed and it seemed that a team of show directors had put the whole thing together and Steve had just turned up half heartedly and "literally" read the script as he performed. The only funny bits were (as one would expect) during the Partridge section, and even then Steve kept forgetting his lines, prompting cues from his supporting cast, cue cards and even reading from his hands! The breaks whilst Coogan was getting changed were filled by the support cast performing ridiculously unfunny routines which were greeted by an embarrassing silence. Having said all that I am and always have been a massive fan, I think Steve Coogan is a comedy genius but I'm afraid this show doesn't cut it. I saw the last live show he did called "The man who thinks he is it" (introducing a certain Simon Pegg) as part of Steves support cast which was fantastic from start to finish and was so proffessional. So much so that, after seeing the Nottingham show we bought tickets for Sheffield!..... I'm afraid I won't be rushing out to buy tickets for his arena showing of this tour. 5 out of 10”
by Roy, Nottingham
Friday, October 10 2008, 8:42AM
“very disapointed, i wonder how the Arena show will go down!
hopefully he will have a part of the show called "Up Alans Sleeve" and up Alans Sleeve there will be some funny jokes”
by Richard, Nottingham
Thursday, October 09 2008, 8:52PM
“This must be the worst live show I have ever seen! What a waste of £30.00. I can only recall "smiling" about three or four times during the whole "production" (during the Partridge section), never mind any belly laughs. Steve Coogan should wrap this show up now before too many people see it. I love Alan Partridge on a set, not on a stage - just think before purchasing any tickets, do you want 1) script reading from notes 2) old gags heard many times before 3) embbarrising moments of no audience laughter 4) a finale based on one "really rude" word 5) a strange un-funny supporting act between every character change;
Do not bother - even those die hard Partidge fans out there (like me) - you will be very disapointed.”
by Donna, Nottingham
Thursday, October 09 2008, 11:01AM
“I agree Gary, it wasn't worth the £30 a ticket! I went along with my husband who is a die hard coogan fan and he commented that it wasn't as good as he thought it would be. I enjoyed the first part more than the Alan Partridge sketch, but overall it was funny in parts but no belly laughs!!
The end song for me totally ruined it especially using that disgusting word!!”