And Finally…

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Thursday 4th June 2009

Spoiler Warning:  there may be some.

Is there any sound more pleasing to the ear than a rasping kazoo perfectly paired with the comforting cadences of a Swanee Whistle?  And is there a more gratifying sight than a couple of comedy giants striving to maintain an eccentric duet without cracking up?  There’s something charmingly familiar about the spectacle; just another one in the mélange of whimsical moments to be treasured throughout an evening at I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.

The radio show has ambled back into our lives for the first time in a year following the passing of cherished host Humphrey Lyttelton.  With tickets for these recordings selling out within the half hour – and then appearing on ebay for more than £350 a pop – it is clear that the public welcome its return with gratefully open arms.  Newcastle’s Theatre Royal saw the final two recordings in the 51st series, which starts broadcasting this month.

The imperative question is, of course, who will step up to fill Humph’s sizeable boots?  The first four shows were by all accounts successfully manned by Stephen Fry and Jack Dee, and Newcastle sees Rob Brydon’s turn.  Brydon, not a stranger to the role, having stepped in during last year’s spring tour when Humph was in hospital, is a gracious and professional chairman, happy to take a back seat and allow the panel’s jokes to run amok.  Where Humph was tongue-in-cheek grouchy and vaguely bewildered, Brydon maintains a controlled demeanour, shrouded by an inoffensive air and is not shy to allow himself to succumb to giggle fits on occasion.  The script remains pleasingly familiar – the same jokes and routines, but Brydon – thankfully – does not try to ape Humph, instead bringing his own personable identity to the chairman role.  Of course, he indulges in what has fast become his Clue party trick – an impressive rendition of Tom Jones’ Delilah, backed by both panel and audience.  Brydon has a great voice, both in song and speech – lilting Welsh tones which lead to a surprisingly soothing delivery of jokes: he is a joy to listen to.

The show – lovingly dedicated to Humph – has not changed much.  Expected favourites are present and correct and, as always, everyone involved appears to be enjoying themselves.  To begin with, the ratio of joke to audience response is overwhelming, and, aware that laughter is a necessity for a radio comedy programme, the strain of keeping up with the teams can quickly become painful.  This falls away, though, when it becomes very hard not to naturally laugh at the teams’ wit.  84 Chicken Cross Road (or Correspondance) is still silly and surreal as Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden play President Sarkozy writing a letter to Silvio Berlusconi, complete with convincing (sort of) accents while Pick Up Song proves that Britain’s Got Talent has nothing on these guys. 

After 37 years, it’s remarkable that a show can get away with using the same jokes again and again, but Clue wouldn’t be complete without its much anticipated running gags, none of which I’m happy to report have been lost:  Hamish and Dougal pop up to rapturous applause during Sound Charades, a gag about Lionel Blair – so double entendre it goes full circle to become single again – renders Phill Jupitus unable to continue (he later described it as “show stopping” on Twitter), and – of course – points, as always, mean prizes. 

Perennial favourite Mornington Crescent is greeted like an old friend – this version having been adapted to suit Newcastle’s Metro line and sees a false win from Garden (Monkseaton Crescent), which is quickly restored by teammate Cryer in a deserved victory after a confusing game.

Special guest is the engaging Phill Jupitus – returning after an 8-year gap.  He riffs well with Tim Brooke-Taylor, treats us to a rendition of Roxanne second only to Jeremy Hardy’s, and he displays a considerable skill for word play, with some very clever entries for the Uxbridge English Dictionary.  As Jupitus is a boisterous personality on other shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks or Qi, it is interesting to see a toned-down version who is still able to hold his own among the regular panelists.

It is the regualr panelists’ personalities which lend a lot to Clue’s appeal.  And they are a small slice of familiar comedy gold.  I have previously described Humph as a grandfather figure, so to continue this familial metaphor, Barry, Graeme and Tim read like a list of disparate uncles.  Barry Cryer is the relentlessly funny one.  You know all those old jokes your Dad always tells?  Barry taught him them.  He has an endearing habit of laughing when someone else’s joke doesn’t go as it should, his mad cackle infectiously inciting the audience to join him.  Jokes tend to flow so seamlessly from him, it’s difficult to discern whether he is like this naturally or whether this is a Morecambe and Wise study of prepared wit.  I’m inclined towards the former.  Graeme Garden, then, would be the mysterious one who doesn’t say much, but probably has a side nobody knows about.  He is quiet and vaguely enigmatic; it is this sense of detachment which is so intriguing.  Constantly doodling, it is unclear whether he is paying attention at all until he breaks his silence with a killer comeback good enough to effectively end any round.  Tim Brooke-Taylor is kindly and bubbly, he would steal your nose if he could.  Playing to the audience’s sympathy on occasion (when, for example, the music rounds force him to sing well out of his range), he is endearing and likeable, yet not so innocent that a darker comedic side doesn’t make itself shown from time to time. 

This overly-extended metaphor sums up Clue’s return to the airwaves.  It is as familiar as a favourite grandfather or uncle, and just as loveable.  The show acheived National Treasure status years ago, and it is a joy to see it continue to make fans of all ages laugh til it hurts.  While the new series may be tinged with the sadness that Humph is no longer around to preside over shenanigans, the continuation does him proud.  And with July dates followed by an extended autumn tour, I think it is safe to say that Clue will be around for some time to come.

The 51st series of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue begins on Radio 4 at 6.30pm on Monday 15th June. 

Autumn tour dates and times to be confirmed.