When the crowd is small, quiet and has been making the supporting
acts sweat for their money, the headline act has a lot of hard work to do,
but you wouldn't know it when Brendan Riley steps out.
Like a Liverpudlian firework being let off on stage he brings an
instant energy to the room, eschewing the microphone in favour of lung power and
quickly bringing the previously uncommunicative audience members out of their
shells.
His broad spectrum of material ranges from employment and his native
Liverpool to topical subjects such as the war, terrorism (although nothing
crossing the line into offensive) and recent news items that have caught
his eye. Not too fast and not too slow, Riley has perfected the
perfect punchy delivery and, despite the numerous topics covered, you never
feel rushed.
The gags flow like water, giving the impression that he could keep an
audience entertained for hours if he so wished. I, for one, would be happy
to sit and listen.
The Other Side - York - 16/05/2004 - Headline Act
