Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra

Symphony Hall

By Rita Maman

Stand-up king and musician Bill Bailey promised a musical bonanza in Birmingham, taking the audience on an enjoyably educational journey.

The West Country comedian was joined last night by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Anne Dudley.

Bailey narrated and played on some musical pieces, taking the listener from a rainforest into a dream and on to a supermarket complete with public address announcements, and taking off Chris de Burgh and Bryan Adams.

Bailey was definitely in his element as a trumpet number turned into the Match of the Day theme tune, and when played in a minor key it became “an old Jewish folk song”.

The theme from Pano-rama was also played backwards.