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The Razzle Presents: The Working Man's Club at Latitude 2010
Live Review

Having reinterpreted the office party for an entertainingly immersive show at the Barbican Centre and Edinburgh Fringe, the same team have now had a bash at the working men’s club; an atmosphere that’s surely ripe for reinvention.

This first outing at Latitude has a marvellous spirit, but doesn’t go nearly far enough in creating an all-round experience beyond the turns on stage, huge fun though these undoubtedly are.

Chris Green – the man behind Tina C and Dame Ida Barr – here channels the spirit of Eighties comic Duncan Norvelle to play compere Derek Diamond, a man with an intriguingly hinted-at back story that involved an injured child and the need to change his stage name from Daz Vegas. As you might expect, the character’s well-formed, and Green sets the perfect tone for the night, inviting audience member to make use of the pool table and buy tickets for the meat raffle.

His frequent collaborator Ursula Martinez plays Dazzle’s deranged stalker Maureen, with a surprising twist for anyone not aware of the signature move that defines her career. Also in the line-up is Australian circus performer Jess Love, here performing an inventive, wonderfully witty – but all-too brief – burlesque turn.

The night, though, belongs to Mrs Barbara Nice, the housewife superstar of the North West, utterly at home in an environment that could have been built for her. She banters affectionately with the crowd, leads the singalongs and generally celebrates the joys of life, however modest. Grabbing a bargain at TK Maxx is source of infinite pride for this middle-aged mum, as warm and sunny as a fortnight in Benidorm.

In fact, this pretty much was the Barbara Nice show, with a few side attractions thrown in. But you can see how there’s plenty of potential for this fine idea to be extended into a whole word the audience can be absorbed into, entirely separate from the Phoenix Nights route of cheesily bad entertainers.

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Barbara did a fantastic set at The Actress and Bishop Birmingham last night with two other great comedians Susan Murray and Ray Peacock on a cancer charity night to be followed by a rock band. Any comedian that can get 200 rockers singing and waving their arms from side to side like last night at the proms has to be seen to be believed, Barbara YOU rock! Brilliant.

John, April 2011

One of the funniest woman in the business. Changes the atmosphere as soon as she comes on from doom and gloom to excited happy people who can't stop laughing 10/10

Matthew, April 2010

A riotously funny 20 minutes full of energy, that had everyone in stitches. Everyone loves Barbara Nice and I'd highly recommend anyone to see her whenever they have the chance.

Max Newton, December 2009

Went to see Barbara at the Laughterhouse in Liverpool last week. You still haven't lost it Babs.

John, November 2009

Barbara is a real tonic. Slept like log after her show.

rose, June 2009

Our loveable Barbara still on top form at her stand up in Birmingham last week. Says she is soon to take the Dora Bryan role in a Taste of Honey in Stoke. She will be fab.

Gill, April 2009

Went to the last ever Comedy Club at the Nightingale last night and Barbara as ever you were brilliant, I was never lucky enough to win the HP Sauce or ironing board cover that were given as prizes (did any of them cost more than £1.48?), I did however take part in the shoe theater puppets and well what can I say :) Comedy Nights at the Gale will be missed and you are right you only know how good something is when it's gone. Hope you enjoyed you long taxi drive to the English Riveria and hopefully we shall run into you again soon. J x

Jason, May 2008

Mrs Nice has just compered my club, the Comedy Cellar in Huddersfield and was absolutely magic. She had the crowd from the moment she walked on and set the night up perfectly. Go and see her soon. Fabulous.

alaric dynevor, October 2007

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