StoryHouse Live, Chester – 22 September 2019
Reviewed by Julie Noller
4****
Personally it’s rather unfair for me to rate this show, it’s generally a look back over 50 years of broadcasting, some of which I haven’t been alive for. I confess to not being an avid listener to Radio 4, hands up who thought all Radio 4 was only good for was the shipping forecast? Yes me too. But here on stage are presenters, some of we may have heard of but all of whom are household names. Each sitting cosily as if welcoming us into their sitting rooms for coffee, cake and a chat. Here is a show reminding us that people and real life are just as amusing and witty as comedians and their stories. Currently visiting theatres across the country for a series of one night performances, make sure you book your ticket it won’t disappoint. So who graced the StoryHouse stage?
Leading the way is Garry Richardson who having been a regular on The Today Show since 1981 is the longest serving member of the team. Charlotte Green who can include being voted as Britains favourite voice by readers of the Radio Times. Both have a tremendous wealth of stories many from behind the scenes, all making me giggle. It would be wrong for me to spoil the fun if your are thinking of going along by retelling them now, but the radio clips will have new meaning when you listen and look at the person themselves. Then there’s quite possibly Britain’s most famous vicar, Reverend Richard Coles who we had seen earlier on whilst we sat eating taking a pre-show stroll around Chester; he happily waved to us. Nice to hear he has conversations with fellow Strictly contestant Debbie Magee and can look at a complete stranger and tell you the shade of their spray tan even if it is to his boss; future mastermind topic perhaps? He only mentioned belonging to a band a couple of times, his tales of popstar to priesthood are thrilling and entertaining. Alistair McGowan is a well known name, star performer and writer, he dazzled us with impressions of not only his friends on stage but those in current affairs such as John Humphrys who recently announced his departure from The Today programme and how could he leave out Boris Johnson? All in all the humour was tongue in cheek, designed to amuse and not to offend. There were plenty of mentions of Brexit on stage indeed Alistair does have a stab at a little satirical comedy although he does admit to not being very good so we’ll forgive him. On the night there were in fact 2 special guests, Richie Webb who not only works on many of Radio 4’s comedy programmes but contributes towards many of sketches included in the award winning Horrible Histories (I would have loved to hear some of his stories from this time). He played some well known tunes from years gone by, many in the audience joined in with. His quip about not being well known as he fills the coveted after 11pm slot, was one repeated, perhaps in the hope we’ll remember his name but was also designed to amuse us. Alistair McGowan’s wife the accomplished performer Charlotte Page joined the cast on stage a few times with her wonderful voice.
There were a few times we wondered if the night was scripted, gone off track or was deliberately designed to show how not everything is polished. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a seasoned listener of Radio 4 or if you recognise the names. It is a pleasant entertaining evening, one you could take your Parents or even Grandparents to and you would all enjoy. There are witty stories, little secrets to share (some of which are fascinating), radio clips, singing. In fact I can’t decide if it’s a night with Radio 4, a homage to old fashioned music halls with jokes and comedy sketches or I’m watching a group of friends read through a script before a performance. But it’s definitely fun and relaxed exactly as theatre should be.