Gervais proves he's still king of laughs at Castle

Published on Monday 27 August 2007 12:02

Ricky Gervais - Fame ****

Castle Esplanade

IF you were to believe everything you read, the backlash against Ricky Gervais has already begun in earnest.

An awkward 15-minute slot during the recent Concert for Diana at Wembley was excuse enough for one newspaper critic to label the comedian "a tiresome embarrassment".

As one Gervais incarnation might ask: Is he having a laugh?

It certainly seems a tad harsh to write off the man who helped bring us two of the most brilliant British comedies of the past 20 years, The Office and Extras, on the back of one bad performance. It's a bit like ignoring Revolver and Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and judging The Beatles solely on Revolution 9. Revolution what? Exactly.

But even if you don't agree that Gervais should be lauded as the comedic equivalent of the Fab Four, it's difficult to argue with his success. Aside from having won six Baftas, two Golden Globes and an Emmy, Gervais has sold five million DVDs worldwide and Fame has become the fastest selling comedy tour in British history.

Not bad for someone whose bubble has supposedly burst. Certainly, no-one told the thousands of people who happily spent 40 to freeze their bums off for an hour-and-a-half at the Castle last night.

After a rousing warm-up performance by a pipe band, Gervais burst on to the Esplanade stage in spectacular fashion, wearing a crown amid an explosion of sparks and to the deafening sound of One Vision by Queen.

"That's just to annoy the critics," he said, pointing to the ten-foot high illuminated 'Ricky' sign behind him. "They say this show's too expensive. If it was too expensive this place would be empty."

One man in the audience who had more reason to smile than most was Les Dennis, who has Gervais to thank for an upturn in fortunes following his unforgettable appearance in Extras.

As is the case with his previous two stand-up shows, Animals and Politics, Gervais doesn't limit himself to the one topic.

In Fame he talks about everything from autism and cancer to where Hitler got his idea for his unusual facial hair and the supposed resting place of one of the dictator's testicles.

He scampers from one subject to another, one minute joyful, the next full of consternation, his voice frequently turning into that familiar high-pitched squeak as he talks about things like sex changes and whether commandos really go commando.

In fact, he doesn't really begin discuss fame, mostly its trappings, until halfway through the show. His stories about being misquoted in newspapers and being insulted by autograph-hunters are funny, but the biggest laughs come during the moments he is at his most outrageous, vulgar and off-the-wall best - although Richard Gere might have a few reservations.

Gervais isn't an improvisational comic, that much was proved at Wembley. If you go to see a comedian such as Rich Hall, you get up to go the bathroom at your peril. Gervais ignores any latecomers and early-leavers and sticks to his gameplan. But his shows are so well written and so brilliantly performed that it doesn't matter.

Perhaps his ego has grown, but his talent certainly hasn't diminished. This was a unique chance to see one of Britain's biggest stars at one of the most spectacular settings in the country. This was a night to say "I was there" and yes, we were having a laugh.