Review - Billy Connolly, Birmingham Symphony Hall

Billy Connolly: The Man Live

Birmingham Symphony Hall

Review by Diane Davies

Big Yin or Big Yawn. This was the burning question for the sold-out Symphony Hall audience after reports Billy Connolly had previously stormed off stage following heckles about 'recycled material' on this tour.

That claim was put to rest within the first few minutes as the Scottish legend launched into a run of contemporary material, spat out in familiar ire – targeting David Cameron, Tony Blair, the bankers and supermarkets with their work-for-free staff and with a few quips about Rangers. He paid tribute to old friend Frank Carson and retold one of his jokes which he admitted was the 'funniest ever'.

Quickly, though, Connolly slipped into what he derides as his 'technique'. He starts one story then gets side tracked – again and again and again. He refers to one review which said he always returns to the stories as part of his 'technique'. "No I don't," he said. "Sometimes I never do. I hope to come quite close."

He does come quite close but the constant digressions give the impression of being a little rambling and it is difficult to keep up. But then I'm sure no-one expects a smooth, polished Connolly show anymore than they expect it to be lacking expletives (it most certainly is not).

It doesn't feel like a technique as 69-year-old Connolly rips off a series of amusing anecdotes involving his family, old friends, and name-dropping stars such as Whoopi Goldberg and Lemmy.

Connolly has always drawn on a number of themes such as his wild past and strict schooling. But recurring things do not make the material old. He is simply drawing on his experiences.

Connolly was recently voted the most influential comedian of all time in a poll. Is he? I would say 'quite close'.

* Billy Connolly is at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Friday and Saturday but the £35 tickets were snapped up straight away.