Most stand-ups are frustrated rock stars, Bill Bailey is clearly a frustrated Roy Castle. In his Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra, the bearded gagsmith evoked the late record breaker, playing guitar, sitar, keyboard, cow bells, Alpine horn and theremin among other instruments, aided by the BBC Concert Orchestra and Oscar-winning arranger Anne Dudley.
It is a pity he did not play the fool more, too. This was a terrifically entertaining mainstream classical music primer, a less terrific comedy gig. One yearned for more goofy patter. Instead we got Beethoven, some original pieces and between-tune banter, such as Bailey highlighting the foreboding oboe overtones in the Bradford & Bingley ad.
The Seventies cop show homage and his prog rock pastiche Leg Of Time slipped down a treat. As did his revival of the jaunty old News At Ten theme, which would never work now: "The news was a lot better back then."
For fans of Bailey’s verbal whimsy, the return of last year’s Tinselworm set at the Gielgud Theatre in November will be better value. For anyone with a taste for something different this is a pleasing digression. Not as remarkable as Bailey would hope, but one of the few comedy gigs where one leaves humming harmonies not parroting punchlines.
15-17 October, Royal Albert Hall.
Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra
Brighton Dome
