Memorable night of life, laughter – and Al Pacino (From Swindon Advertiser)

Memorable night of life, laughter – and Al Pacino

12:38pm Tuesday 8th November 2011 in Reviews By Scott McPherson

Rob Brydon Wyvern Theatre

BEING a massive Gavin & Stacey fan, I was interested to see how Rob Brydon would fair on his lonesome at the Wyvern as part of his In Conversation stand-up tour.

My experiences of Brydon are fairly limited outside his stint in the BBC smash hit comedy, but he certainly erased any misgivings I had that he might be a one-trick pony.

Rob, who is also promoting his autobiography – Small Man in a Book – was on fine form and had the sell-out crowd creasing at his tales of the twists and turns his life took before hitting the big time.

The format of the evening was a question and answer session with BBC Wiltshire presenter Sue Davies compering the evening, before the audience had their chance to grill the main man. From his humble beginnings in Wales attending school with Catherine Zeta-Jones to his catalogue of voiceover work, Brydon has most definitely earned his place in the UK comedy hall of fame.

But for me, Brydon’s biggest selling point is his ability to mimic almost every single comedian/actor/celebrity you can imagine.

His impersonation of Al Pacino narrating The Gruffalo had everyone shrieking with laughter.

The audience was hanging on Brydon’s every hilarious word and he seemed to bask in the glory.

I would recommend everyone of any age to try and see Brydon live – you will not be disappointed.

But whatever you do, don’t ‘baa’ during one of his shows. You have been warned.

Scott McPherson