Steve Coogan's Easter homecoming to the Palace Theatre proved triumphant. Performing live in his native city, the man of many personas was greeted as a returning hero and eventually seen off by multiple standing ovations. Hardly surprising considering the dedicated following the Prestwich-born comedian has built up over recent years with his unique collection of alter egos. At the Palace, Coogan proved that despite his long absence from the stage while television commitments have pressed, he can still cut it as a stand-up performer. Kicking-off with a Pauline Calf cabaret, Coogan appeared to revel in the ability to interact with an audience after so long staring at television cameras. The men who were unlucky enough to be sat on the front row were terrorised by Coogan's frightful female creation. "I'm going to 'ave you later!" remains Pauline's favorite catchphrase.

Next up was Coogan's least well-known creation, Duncan Thickett - a bespectacled, acne-ridden youth making his first, disastrous attempts at a career in stand-up. Anyone who's chanced upon an open mic slot at a second rate comedy club could vouch for the character's authenticity.

Before the interval, Coogan wheeled out his own real-life comedy flop, Tony Ferrino. The spoof Portuguese crooner was met by critical derision when let loose on the world two years ago. And by Coogan's own admission, the inclusion of the character on this tour was his way of sticking two fingers up at the media detractors. However, whatever surgery Coogan and his team have carried out on their flagging Latin Romeo seems to have worked judging by the audience's rapturous response to the set. Less impressed however, was the girl plucked from the audience by Ferrino for a 'quickie' in the wings!

That left Coogan's two most well known acts for the second half. First emerged a sozzled Paul Calf, whose drunken diatribe left students surprisingly unscathed, followed by the undisputed King of chat-show cheese, Alan Partridge.

Norwich's foremost light entertainer emerged from the back of the theatre, milking the adulation as he made his way through the audience to the stage. The replacement of his trademark Pringle sweater with a pinstriped green suit reflected Partridge's attempts to diversify from chat-show host to management lecturer. A business seminar ensued during which Partridge insisted that life is like a fried egg. When Partridge finally relocated to his chat-show chair, a further nail was driven into the coffin of his career by his desperate guest, a clinically depressed dry-stone waller.

Alan signed the show off with a medley of Kate Bush songs, causing serious distress to those with sensitive ears, before departing the stage and returning to room 404 of the Midland Hotel (We knew this because Tony Ferrino had told us in the hope of interesting some of the audience's female contingent).

Popular demand has caused Coogan to schedule some additional Manchester dates in June. There might just be the odd ticket left if you get in touch with the Palace Theatre quick enough you'd be very well advised to do so because this man Coogan is THE comic genius of the generation.

BACK

© 1998 Chris Lambert