Review – Stewart Lee
If you prefer a milder comedian, ask for one - Stewart Lee
He’s been on the circuit for over twenty years, is married to fellow comic Bridget Chrisitine and recently had his own comedy vehicle on BBC2 where he ranted and raved about Asher D, Chris Moyles, and anything else that mildy annoyed him. He is, in short, a legend. Who is he? Stewart Lee, and he’s back on tour.
“If you’d like a milder comedian please ask for one” sees Stewart Lee back on top form, and eager to prove Frankie Boyle wrong, and that you can be funny even if you are over 40. Stewart Lee has done a string of successful shows, and his new one teaches the audience that he still likes a rant, hates Michael Mcintyre, pear cider that is grammatically incorrect, and that he has a two year- old son who he takes to Cafe Nero because they warm the milk.
Although it sounds like a bizarre mix for a stand-up routine, Stewart Lee’s new material is as witty and entertaining as his comedy vehicle that he drove towards people’s faces last year on BBC2. While it would have been easy for him to rant and rave unconstructively, you never get the impression that it’s disorganised, and merely that he has a lot of anger to release: all of it funny.
And no-one is safe in his new show. Among his victims are Michael Mcintyre , Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson, Frankie Boyle, and Cafe Nero for not giving him a free coffee on his loyalty card because he had the wrong colour stamp.
The Richard Hammond rant in particular is very clever, using the “it’s only a joke” humour of Top Gear against them, 
describing in detail what he’d like to happen to Richard Hammond (something I’m not writing in my blog as not only would I not do it justice, but I rather fancy ‘The Hammond’ and so don’t want to be a traitor) But the basis of the rant revolved a fictional story about being his friend at school.
Fictional stories create quite a basis for his rants, including a long segment about his family inventing the slogan “tell it to me straight like a pear cider made from 100 per cent pear” and then a cider advert nicking it to promote their drink. Random? Yes. Funny? Very. True to form, that segment ends in Lee shouting and walking amongst the audience to promote his rage. Cue very happy but nervous audience members on the end of the rows, hoping he doesn’t pick on them (myself included.)
But he doesn’t just stick to comedy in his new show, he also sings, and may I add, rather well. He covers the song Galway Girl, one of his favourite songs that remind him of a great time at a festival, and rather romantically, of his wife. But why does he sing it? In ode to his wife who he loves and adores? To try out his singing infront of a fresh audience? No. It’s because a cider advert ruined it for him and he wants the audience to take something different away. Safe to say I downloaded the track and will be reminded of one of the best stand-up shows I have ever gone to. Mind you, the lyrics are beautiful, take a listen.
But what makes Stewart Lee a complete legend after such an awesome gig? The fact he sells and signs his own merchandise and is happy to chat to the fans, (although one stupid fan insisted on correcting his grammer, despite the fact he had over-ran and was still helping out…silly cow.)
Never have I met a comic that was so willing to talk to his fans and was refreshingly honest too during each conversation. Safe to say that my signed copy of his audio cd is safe at home and will remain a prized possession. Go get yours now while you still can.
I give Stewart Lee’s gig a rather predictable 10/10 and of course, recommend it to everyone.
Happy comic musing!
Additional – This blog post is partly dedicated to Stewart Lee, but also to Mr Chris Suffield, who accompanied me to the gig and put up with my excitement the whole time. You deserve a medal.
