review of Portsmouth ISIHAC stage show (contains SPOILERS)
22/09/2009 00:00 GMT

Posted by lisa

Here's a brief review of the I’m Sorry I Haven't A Clue stage show at the Portsmouth Guildhall.  It does contain some spoilers. (A list of other upcoming dates can be found in our FAQ.


From http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/entertainment/I39m-Sorry-I-Haven39t-A.5666866.jp

I'm Sorry, I Haven't A Clue

At Portsmouth Guildhall

22 September 2009
By Simon Evans

I've been a listener to the comic meanderings of the ISIHAC (as they are known for short!) team for as long as I can remember, but never seen them perform on stage before.
I was worried. Would seeing the show be as much fun as just hearing it?

The worry was misplaced. The teams; Tim Brooke-Taylor with Jeremy Hardy and Graeme Garden with Barry Cryer were on good form. Although much of the show is scripted there is room for improvisation.

The music rounds have always made me laugh most and tonight – with the marvellous Colin Sell on piano – we witnessed a treat. In Old Songs New Words we saw Barry Cryer perform an admirable My Old Man's A Dustman to the tune of Heartbreak Hotel but the limelight was stolen by the musically challenged Jeremy Hardy whose Kung Fu Fighting sung to the tune of Scarborough Fair was hilarious.

Many of the old-favourites made an appearance; the slogan round (Portsmouth: Gateway To Havant was one gem), and Uxbridge English Dictionary ('insolent' redefined as: 'to fall off the Isle Of Wight ferry).

The second music round, Pick Up Song where the contestant is asked to sing along to a song which is faded out, attempting to keep pace when it's faded back in again, proved to be my highlight.