It always helps a performance when the audience is packed, in tune with the performers and ready for a good laugh. It’s All About Me! was therefore destined for hilarity from the start. The format of the show follows Chris Difford’s rise to fame (fame in inverted commas, as he frequently points out; he is hilarious when he talks of the actually famous Jools Holland, whom he apparently never liked). Accompanying him with his songs is Dorie Jackson who, while having an angelic voice, does at times appear quite awkward on stage.
After the first few tunes, which highlight a vague history of Difford’s life and are accompanied by a rather hammy, badly put-together PowerPoint presentation featuring occasionally endearing videos, Norman Lovett arrives, heralded by applause from the audience. His unique brand of comedy immediately breathes new life into the show as he sounds like he is improvising, which in turn makes the audience feel like they are being treated as a special case. There was a good five minute section where he tried to decide whether he should stand or sit, prompting both Chris and Dorie to laugh at his age, which brought the audience even closer to the heart of the comedy.
This show was a heartwarming hour of fun that probably requires you to know who Difford and Lovett are. If you do, you will no doubt enjoy it immensely, and be singing along at the same time.
