John Shuttleworth // Playhouse - 8.11.12
John Shuttleworth sings "Smells Like White Spirit' and delights a packed Norwich audience once again.
John Shuttleworth is a comic character played by Graham Fellowes. John lives in Sheffield with his wife Mary and enjoys DIY and playing his keyboard and singing his songs. Sounds a bit dull, but that's the beauty of this act; the desire for comfort, routine and nostalgia is acceptable when you watch or listen to him.
The story of when his daughter Karen’s Tamagotchi wouldn’t stop going off in the loft, or when Ken, his erstwhile neighbour, has a shower disaster and has to come and stay for a few days, become small-town Britain’s pride and glory. It’s very real. It’s very true. It’s genius. I’ve seen John Shuttleworth live a good few times now, and despite a few times when he has attempted to bring other characters into the act, it has always been such good fun, with a very loyal audience who sing along merrily with every word of his songs.
The songs! They include such gems as Two Margarines On The Go, Pigeons In Flight, or Can’t Go Back To Savoury Now. All of which and many more we, a packed house at the Playhouse, enjoy tonight. The audience are very enthusiastic as soon as Shuttleworth appears onstage in his trademark brown leather jacket and rollneck. Talking about his fondness for cereals, he also covers, amongst many other subjects, how he doesn’t play folk music as it encourages slovenly dress, claims town is better than countryside as it’s easy to get your sweater caught on a hedgerow, and sings many amazing songs, including several brand new ones which were just as good as old favourites.
My top number was about Alfie Boe and how his beard is too luxuriant to have that high a voice. All sung in his own peculiar style of shambolic and disastrous keyboard action, with some kung fu kick noises and horse whinnying thrown into the mix. He forgets half the lyrics, and you never can tell if it’s deliberate or not. An absolute joy to watch, and back on top form. Thanks John, long may you reign.
Lizz Page
