For those unsure whether Jason Manford was going to be a musical or a comedy - they got the best of both worlds. The Salford-born comic took the Mancunian audience back in time to the coronavirus lockdown before finishing the laugh along journey at a primary school assembly with all those memorable holy ‘bangers’.
Some punters had been waiting since pre-pandemic for the Stockport man’s 'Like Me' tour at the AO Arena - and many certainly left a few calories lighter due to all the laughter they endured. Serenaded by cheesy pop and an unenthusiastic Mexican wave from the crowd, Manford arrived to welcome his audience.
The Salford University graduate opened with one of his “dad’s” favourites about a man’s severed penis and his wife choosing to get a new kitchen instead of forking out for a new member.
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He let on that this joke didn’t get as big of a laugh at the Frog and Bucket comedy club when he was starting out at 17 as he followed Bolton star Peter Kay (wonder what happened to him), who’d just used the joke, unbenounced to him - turns out that’s where his dad heard it.
With the crowd truly buzzing, the pantomime performer was sure to get audience participation. But to ask who’s behind him, well that would be the sell out crowd judging by their reaction on the night.
He introduced his support act Jonny Awsum who wandered on stage armed with a guitar. The Britain’s Got Talent star was visibly delighted by the crowd’s participation with his comedic twists on hits from Disney’s Little Mermaid and Take That - telling a one night stand story to the latter.
A highlight was seeing young boy James come on stage to join Jonny to perform a rap that Eminem in 8 Mile would’ve been proud of. After a brief intermission featuring a spell of singalongs to karaoke classics, Manford returned to the stage.
Using a stool, due to a not-so-recent ankle operation, he said one reviewer likened him to an ‘ageing boy band member waiting for a key change that never came’. A flattering description for what more resembled a regular at a working men’s club waiting for a jar of room temperature mild. His lockdown-inspired set detailed how relationships worked best when ‘you don’t see each other for 8-10 hours of the day’.
He picked out some comedically ridiculous moments from the lockdown in the UK and the regional tier system implemented that meant ‘three streets away dogs could have haircuts but you couldn’t’. He saved the best for last though as he combined his singing prowess, comedy flair and his impressive memory of primary school assembly ‘bangers’.
The crowd joined in for acapella versions of all the childhood favourites that nobody can seem to get out of their heads. Look out this Christmas as you may see a CD on the shelf dubbed ‘Jason Manford’s now that’s what I call assembly bangers’.
If you didn’t know Manford enjoyed a panto, he’s performing in a Peter Pan production throughout December in Manchester. Before that though if you want to catch him for a laugh in Manchester he’ll be at the O2 Apollo on November 24, tickets available from JasonManford.com.
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