Lee Mack Live
at the Platform, Morecambe
28 November 2002
reviewed by satori

'You had to be there,' is what you're not supposed to say when you review stuff - but I just don't know how to do this fantastically funny bloke justice otherwise. Afficionados of ITV's 'The Sketch Show' will be familiar with him, but I have to say he's actually a lot better in real life. Sharp, brilliant timing, we laughed so hard I was nearly sick. For me the highlight of the show was the brilliant physical slow-motion routine as he portrayed his unbelted driving test examiner bouncing against the windscreen and around the inside of the car following an unscheduled emergency stop procedure. His impersonation of Eric Morecambe was spot on but what really impressed me too was how much of his show seemed to be completely spontaneous - reacting to questions from the audience. How can someone just be that funny?

Like many performers at the Platform he went for the local gags - but he was the only one I've seen elicit the fact that actually there were only 3 Morecambe residents in the audience - who came from as far afield as Stockport. Certainly one aspect of being a great stand-up performer is getting to know your audiences. At one point, talking about people's jobs, he asked us if we could guess what he used to be. 'A comedian' shouted a clever punter in the front, getting a laugh. He wasn't fazed. No indeed, he seemed impressed by the sharpness of the retort. Chatting amicably with the amateur wit. Whilst removing his shirt to reveal a T-shirt emblazoned with the words 'SOME WANKER ALWAYS SAYS COMEDIAN'.

He was absolutely blinding. Smart as a whip, fast, with a brilliantly novel insight into both the commonplace and the bizarre. We went home completely wound up, excited, giggling and full of beans.

Another brilliant coup for the Platform who are developing an unrivalled reputation throughout the North-West for bringing in high quality comedy.

Satori