The idea is a superb one and if we are to try and ensure that live entertainment (in all of its forms) is something which is continued into the next generation (and not just simulated and computerised entertainment) then we need to do all we can and more to engender, inspire and encourage our children to enjoy and participate in live events.
As I said, the idea is utterly laudable and so I went along myself this Saturday afternoon to see how the children responded. Most unfortunately I have to report, at least on this particular afternoon that I was there, the atmosphere was not upbeat and energised, and the disappointingly small audience were unimpressed with the afternoon, leaving with only the mildest of smiles on their faces. I chatted to a couple of families after the event and they spoke about their disappointment and it not being as good as they had hoped and not really what they had expected.
Using a very similar formula to those used for the adult evening shows, there was very loud music playing (not children's music) prior to the event and then the entrance of the afternoon's MC. This afternoon, as I presume all afternoons, it was Alex Boardman. A well-known and respected stand-up artiste in his own right, Boardman was obviously much more accustomed and in tune with adults and his 'Heads And Tails' warm-up game garnered only the mildest of positive reactions.
Boardman then introduced the first of the afternoon's comedians, the double-act of Jarred Christmas and Jack Hobbs known as 'Christmas And Hobbit'. This was a very loud, and rather too 'American' beat-box vocal show. Beat boxing has become quite a craze, and it simply entails making hip-hop style noises and rhythms with your mouth creating a dance beat with your own vocal dexterity to sound like electronically produced sounds. (or something like that!) For those of you who remember Michael Winslow's superb vocals in the Police Academy films then you know what I mean! Christmas and The Hobbit entered the stage wearing backwards baseball caps and to lots of noise. The microphones were far too loud overall for the entire event, but here especially they needed to have been turned down quite considerably.
Their routine was not particularly funny, nor was it clever - despite Hobbs' obvious talent in this regard. They engaged the audience more by frightening them into collaboration rather than them actually wanting to, and they left the stage to a mild applause.
The next thing to happen was a joke competition. Youngsters from the audience could come up on stage and tell a joke. One lady - arbitrarily chosen - on the front row was appointed the judge, and the joke she liked the best would win the teller a bag of sweets! This was actually OK, and although a little disorganised and ad-hoc, there were many takers from the audience to get up on stage and have a go.
Boardman then announced the final act of the afternoon, a Scottish comedian called Rosco McClelland. A very oddball and off-the -wall comedian who, despite his trying hard to find material suitable for his audience simply bombed. The three children I spoke to afterwards told me that they didn't like him and they didn't understand him - one was even a little frightened of him. Not a very good start for a children's entertainer! I have never seen McClelland before either, and he may well be a hit with adult audiences but he hadn't gauged his routine well enough sadly for this afternoon.
Fortunately, saving the whole afternoon from failure for all, was a young boy on the front row, a regular at these afternoons who knew the score, and so was quite cheeky and chatted back to the comedians on stage with familiarity. He even upstaged McClelland by showing him how to make the silly animals with his hands. Hat's off to the young lad, whose name I cannot remember!
I am sure what the Comedy Store are trying to do is worthy and necessary, but I am also certain that they need to engage comedians who know how to work a room of children of different ages, backgrounds and expectations.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 15/9/18
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