CityLife

Justin Moorhouse: Ever Decreasing Social Circle

EVERYONE wants to be Justin Moorhouse's friend, he's cuddly, charismatic, witty, successful.

However, with his nana's wise words that one should be able to count their true friends on just one hand reverberating in his ears, Moorhouse isn't so hot on the idea and has laid down the hefty task of whittling down 641 friends down to just five.

We're talking Facebook friends here - not real friends so that counts me and my plus one out straight away, boo hoo.

Bashing Facebook is nothing new and skimming the premise hours before the show, it seemed possible despite his impressive résumé, this could be Moorhouse's stumbling block and the near-packed out Lowry is set to witness one of the UK's finest comedians wind up with cliche omelette all over their chubby cheeks.

Thankfully, Moorhouse keenly dips in and out of the online elimination process, introducing "the greatest thing you can buy for £5.99" - a pen that extends like a radio aerial allowing frustrating bus passengers to finish off a thicko's crossword and an x-rated variation of YouTube which features two Barnsley pensioners going at it.

For someone who openly admits a dislike of swearing, Moorhouse frequently litters sentences with profanity and while its confusing why this seasoned professional would be nervous, it could be the likely explanation. Fortunately, the strength of his stories shine through, ringing echoes of Peter Kay or Ricky Gervais - minus the ego of course.

Deleting any racists, Morrissey haters, Formula 1 fans and occasional smokers from his social circle, Justin is down to just four friends and transforms The Lowry's Quays Theatre into a life-size Guess Who board and sets about determining who will be his new friend.

This effective bout of audience participation is a perfect example of his constant desire to overcome the stage/stalls barrier and ironically, be more of a friend than some funny fatty making everyone laugh for one night.

Already a cult favourite, Moorhouse has the potential to enjoy the same success as one-time partner Peter Kay and with more shows like this, he's well on track.

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