Ricky Tomlinson Laughter Show 2009

The following is a quote by Ricky Tomlinson in reference to his "Laughter Show" from the Croydon Advertiser.

"I think people get ripped off with a lot of entertainment these days. Good luck to those young, alternative comics, but audiences deserve to see more than one person for an hour and a half.

"We do a minimum of two hours plus, and we give people good value for money."

This is simply laughable - more than could be said for the show itself.

Mr Tomlinson did share some interesting and sometimes amusing anecdotes from his life and career, but after a while I had an uncomfotable feeling that this was little more than an opportunity for him to lionise himself whilst putting down others. I wasn't certain if I was watching stand-up or 'an audience with', and it delivered neither.

Then it got worse.

The first of the 'comedians' to come on, Tony Barton, was so incredibly dated. Gags from the early seventies that weren't particularly funny then, and now were just cringeworthy. Outdatedly and unfunily sexist, racist and homophobic.

There was a minor reprieve during the third turn though; Eddie Archer of 'The Comedians' fame (sic), began with a garish Sinatra number and then the gags began - again extremely dated but mercifully less offensive. Actually there was a short time when I began to laugh out loud and Eddie - sensing crowd approval - really went for it! Then he was prompted to vacate the stage, which sadly led to another tortured Sinatra tune.

Compared to the second half, this was like seeing the Rolling Stones support Led Zeppelin.

Black Onyx - the comedy band - are an embarassment both to themselves and to their audience. I won't even begin to describe the 40 or so minutes that they played bad music badly, swapped wigs, swapped frocks, did horrendous impressions and told awful jokes.

What a rip off Ricky. You should be damned well ashamed of yourself.

(Note: This is for the 2010 shows. There isn't a 2010 catagory)

So so disappointed.

As the review before alluded, Ricky's part in this is mostly as compere for 3 other acts.

One a terrible terrible comedian who's still locked in the 70's.

The 2nd was a little better, but still nothing I would ever pay money for.

Finally a comedy band - they were alright, but after sitting though Ricky's "Please buy my book and Programme" opening and then through 2 rubbish acts, it was practically the final straw.

We were shocked when Ricky came out at the end to close the show, and simply said goodnight - he barely did 15 minutes all night.

Not only a waste of £20, but also a waste of 2 hours.

Very disapointing show, hardly saw anything of Ricky Tomlinson at all, when we did see him, he spent most of the time plugging his books. At least expected a bit of banjo playing from him, bu mo

In addition to Ricky's poor perfomance there was a trio of acts of "comedians" who apparently were quite popular during the era of oppertunity knocks, where he dug up these never even has beens god knows.

After ther last act, Ricky came back on stage, read out a couple of captions from his "competition" and that was it.

Very amateurish, think I laughed more the last time I was run over.

Be warned, dont waste your money!

Admire Ricky Tomlinson for his work in his films and tv, but he has got this totally wrong in areas. The humour was clean and amusing, with 2 good old fashioned comedians in the first half of the show, and some entertaining stories from Ricky,but the second half "Oh Dear!!" what a disaster! The "Black Onyx" group wouldn't even make in out of the starting blocks on "Britains got Talent", if I wanted to see trash like this I would have gone to Butlins (Not on my life!).I could understand why people where walking out through the show, to spend decent money in this hardhit economic area of the country on what you expect to be more than what it was is dis-appointing. The kareoke in the pub next to the theatre on the way out was more entertaing and tuneful the "Black Who?" More from Ricky would have been good! Be warned if you have booked tickets!!!