Norwich’s most enigmatic radio presenter and TV broadcaster Alan Partridge brought fun and laughs to P&J Live in Aberdeen last night.
Steve Coogan’s marmite-esque comic persona took to the live stage for the very first time in the north-east in front of what was a busy crowd.
The performance explored Partridge’s dabbles as a lifestyle guru, with humour that only Partridge himself could inject, before ending with a signature style finale.
The show wasn’t perfect – at times sketches lacked originality and the transtition from TV screen to 15,000 capacity arena wasn’t quite seamless.
But more than 30 years on from his debut as Partridge, it was evident that Coogan still enjoys delving into his oddball, East Anglian comic character.
P&J Live
The mood among the crowd at P&J Live was wholeheartedly positive on Friday night as Partridge prepared to take to the stage.
He immediately got the crowd on his side with his Aberdeen inspired rendition of Starship’s We Built This City, before showcasing his middle-aged awkwardness in a well-crafted urban dance sketch.
The front row of the audience took a hammering – a sign of any good comedy show – and Partridge took occasional jeers throughout in his stride.
However, despite being fortunate myself to have landed a seat near the front, as the show progressed the intimacy of the performance began to fade.
Comedy is best up close; a slightly smaller setting would’ve improved this and made what was a nice evening into a more memorable one.
Silliness personified
Coogan may have told the P&J himself that the Stratagem show is “a load of baloney”, but that’s exactly what Partridge thrives upon.
He is silliness personified and with Stratagem, it was his unmistakably quaint humour that the Aberdeen audience lapped up.
The focus of the show revolved around Partridge trying to help people with their lives through his Stratagem programme.
Stage mic and gleaming white shell suit adorned, he ran through presentations in a similar vein to the late Apple founder, Steve Jobs.
Partridge’s latest BBC series, This Time: With Alan Partridge, evoked some of the live feel that he could’ve shown a bit more of at P&J Live with hilarious off-camera portrayals a highlight of the TV show.
But as it was, the first half of Stratagem unfortunately lacked originality and dragged at times.
Unafraid to go risque
Coogan is revered as a comedian for poking fun at tricky topics – and that’s no different when it comes to Alan Partridge.
The modern world of comedy has been susceptible to cancel culture with some comedians pushing jokes beyond the fringes of acceptability.
But Partridge’s acute, purposely ignorant persona tackled this territory uncynically, making funny interpretations of how to make sense of gender fluidity and diversity in society.
His imperfections are what makes Partridge so likeable – he never quite gets it.
And though these parts only peppered throughout Stratagem, they showed the freshness of the character that Coogan has successfully continued to evolve for the last three decades.
Improved second half
Amends to Stratagem were certainly made in the much more dynamic second half of the performance.
A Zoom call and live performance with Martin Brennan (a stereotypical Irish folk musician and another of Coogan’s comic characters) had the crowd clapping with joy.
Scrapping the Stratagem script and jumping into a cheesy 80s medley also worked a treat, showing the side of Partridge that the audience were much more accustomed to and bringing the entertainment they desired.
If only this had been the same throughout the whole of the performance, Partridge’s live stage exert would’ve been highly commendable.
An enjoyable evening – but not one for the history books
On paper, Stratagem showed signs of great promise.
In reality, this promise glimmered at times in what was an enjoyable – but not unforgettable – performance.
Perhaps the script could’ve been a little more inventive with some sections feeling a little blasé.
The classic charisma exuded in the second half was the highlight of the show, but its unimpressionable opening was a bit of shame.
Overall, there was room for improvement. But nonetheless, Partridge succeeded in doing what he does best – bathing in silliness and making people laugh.
Conversation