CityLife

Phil Buckley: Jokes Not Included

Phil Buckley
The Lowry
March 21, 2010

The addition of the petite studio space in the Lowry gives the opportunity for lesser known acts to play the arts centre. Not just the smaller shows touring the UK but also, like tonight, local acts playing a solo show.

So it was good to see Bury comic Phil Buckley and fellow Manc based act Sean Moran in a theatre setting for a change rather than in the pubs and clubs of the city.

Popping out at the top of the show to introduce Moran (his support), Buckley revealed a hint of the friendly, informal style that was to come. Meanwhile, Moran’s set was a solid one with plenty of inventive material.

Moran seemed a little concerned at the audience’s reaction, self deprecatingly pointing out the peaks and dips, but there was no need; as is pretty usual with a sedate theatre crowd they were relatively quiet at the beginning but it was no bearing on their enjoyment of the show. A particular highlight here was the notion of Saddam Hussein’s regime as a 'family business’.

The second half consisted of Buckley’s latest solo effort. He’s produced a show and put it on in the Lowry for a couple of years now; this year he noted that perhaps it was a mistake to name it Jokes Not Included. A stand up set without gags maybe wasn’t the best way to market a show he mused, but then straight gag telling is not what Buckley is about, he’s not attempting to follow in the quick fire footsteps of one-liner merchants like Jimmy Carr.

Instead, Buckley’s is a laid back affair of amiable anecdote. In the main this year’s offering tells us what he’s been up to in the past year in which he’s experienced two potentially life changing events - travelling the world and thinking about, and deciding against (we don’t think we’re giving too much away by telling you that), giving up stand up.

It’s a warm-hearted feel good show that evocatively recreates such moments as the toe-tingling dangerous sport activities he indulged in at various locations around the world. Providing there are no bungee accidents between now and then, we’ll see you this time next year, Phil.

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