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REVIEW: Bill Bailey, MEN Arena

Kate Stirrup
23/11/2007

FUNNYMAN Bill Bailey – he of the unkempt hair and hairy knuckles – made a welcome return to Manchester last week.

The three nights he played at the MEN Arena were a testament to his popularity.

His original mix of music and comedy, aided by starring roles on TV faves like Black Books and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, have made the comedian one of the UK’s best-loved comics.

Striding onto stage in a snazzy white suit, Bailey grabbed the attention, and kept it, mixing scripted gags with ingenious ad-libs.

Also on display were his famed music skills – he played among others, the guitar, keyboard, a ridiculously long horn and the spookily sounding theremin (best known from the Midsomer Murders theme music – maybe Bailey is a fan?)

George Bush, Asda and Swiss banks were high on his hitlist, wicked jibes on these mixed with Bailey’s more trademark surreal subjects (cats going blind from eating too many chicken kievs, for example.)

And he made great use of the big screens provided for those in the lofty rafters of the venue – showing videos/vox-pops and at one point having an argument with the different aspects of his psyche.

The evening was rounded off with a nice bit of trouser press jousting. What more could you ask for?