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Paul setting the Tone in Brum
East Cheam's finest: Paul Henry is Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock of 22 Railway Cuttings Hancock's Finest Hour Alexander Theatre *** THE old saying is that comedians all want to
play Hamlet. With Hancock it was probably Lear. He started as a comic with his first real break as
resident at the Windmill followed by work in Radio until in 1954 he was
given his own show, Hancock's Half Hour. It was another half hour though that was probably the
beginning of the end for “the lad himself” and at the height of his
fame, in 1960, he appeared on John Freeman's Face to Face, a half hour,
often searching interview. Hancock, who was born in Hall Green, was self critical
to the point of anguish, was not at ease with the questions but
answered then frankly and honestly. His brother Roger, thought that his
appearance was the “biggest mistake he ever made. It all started from
that really. Self analysis, that was his killer.” Colin Bennett's play, a first venture for Nick
Hennegan Ltd, is set in a BBC dressing room either side of that
interview with the alcoholic Hancock, rather like Scrooge, living
snatches of his past and future life. Paul Henry, forever Benny in Crossroads, is Hancock.
This is not theatrical karaoke, impressions of the lad - it was never
meant to be - but an exploration of the mind of a comic genius who was
also a fatally flawed human being.
Henry is a quality actor and puts in a quality shift
on stage relentlessly for two hours as Hancock. He shows us the drunk,
the obsessive, cruel, violent, morose and unbalanced Hancock who mixes
barbs equally with quips. H -H -Hancock's Half Hour virtually invented the Situation Comedy. It was groundbreaking, innovative and put Hancock firmly at the pinnacle of comedy. From those heights it was a long way down to his final show, suicide by overdose three episodes into a sitcom in Australia. Twenty years after his death Spike Milligan, who found
the alcoholic Hancock difficult to get on with noted “I thought, he's
got rid of everybody else, he's going to get rid of himself. And he
did." Playing all the other parts,
first wife Cicely Romanis , second wife Freddie Ross, the make up lady,
Hancock's mother and anyone else passing is Clare Bloomer while
David Matthews is his BBC dresser, his father and characters form his
past including George the hairdresser. The general result though is an
interesting insight into the mind of Hancock. It is not a bundle of
laughs but then offstage Hancock never was. This is more watching a
train heading towards its inevitable crash. Roger Clarke Clocking up overtime *** BIRMINGHAM-born actor Paul Henry plays famous
Brummie Tony Hancock in this play which came about through an idea by
creative producer Nick Hennegan after a pint or two in the Billesley
pub. A son of Brum himself, he felt there should be a story
showing the complexity, brilliance and tragedy of the comic who became a
national treasure through his wonderful BBC Radio and TV series
Hancock's Half Hour in the 1950s. Colin Bennett wrote this show which is set in the
star's dressing room just before and after Hancock's memorable interview
with John Freeman which made him cry and reappraise his life and times. It is not meant to be a look at any of his much-loved
TV performances - such as The Blood Donor - and it contains as much, or
even more, sadness than humour as Tony's love of drink is revealed. Henry - remember him as Benny in the old telly series,
Crossroads ? - doesn't try to impersonate Hancock, but he gives an
outstanding performance, helped considerbaly by Kenneth Williams
soundalike David Matthews and experienced actress Clare Bloomer who play
a variety of back-up roles superbly. Directed by Chris Hayes, Hancock's Finest Hour ticks
on to Saturday night 26.06.10. Paul Marston
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