Hal
Cruttenden is an odd personality for stand-up; he’s a big man, incredibly camp,
not gay, and terribly posh sounding. It’s a bit like watching Russell Grant’s
slimmer, better looking and funnier twin on stage. On top of that – and used to
its full potential – he effortlessly sounds like Tony
Blair.
Self-confessed as being too lazy
to be as political as he’d like to be, Cruttenden skirts issues and makes light
of a subject at a general level rather than going into specifics and this makes
him more accessible and appealing.
Add to that Cruttenden’s
personality quirks and, all of a sudden, a straight stand-up routine has become
more like a cabaret act as his material gets an hilarious injection of
high-kicks, show tunes and the impressionism. This novelty, of course, gives him
that extra edge over other acts but in no way is it compensating for a lack of
anything funny to say as his witticisms and observations are cheek-achingly
sharp.
Venue:
Funny.co.uk Comedy Clubs (Evolution) – Haywards Heath
Date Of Show:
September 26th
2004
Place on bill:
Headline
