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Jenny Eclair: Old Dog, New Tricks
Live Review
Millfield Theatre

‘I’ve based my entire career on of period jokes,’ says Jenny Éclair. ‘Let me have just one last one…’

Indeed, the Grumpy Old Woman is, if not exactly embracing the menopause, belligerently squaring up to it. She’s not by a long chalk the only comedian to bitch about encroaching middle-age – given that most of those who helped shaped today’s scene are no longer bold young Turks, but battered old ottomans – though it’s still rare to hear this sort of material from a female perspective.

Most women, held back by decorous notions of ladylike mystique, dare not speak of the ravages of time. But Éclair is untroubled by such thoughts, never having been one for caring too much about complying with whatever other people think she ought to be. Where other women in her situation might obsess on diets, exercise, cosmetic surgery or fashions as if to deny ageing, she is more phlegmatic, confronting the inevitable, if not exactly quietly, but with effective, unflinching honestly. 

The way she tells it, you would think turning 50 is not the onset of a new era of happiness, as it’s been suggested, but just one small step from dribbling in a rocking chair in the Bide-A-Wee Retirement Complex. But from the point of view of the feckless rock chick she once was, it probably is. She confesses to missing the days when she was a ‘right old slag’ when her addiction was cocaine, not the Marks and Spencer’s Per Una range.

In the last tour, just over three years ago, she directed much of her anger at ageing outwardly, dismissing any target from Paris Hilton to with sweary derision, but not much humour. Here, although Jeremy Kyle and Wag weddings get something of a skewering, she directs her bitter wit more at how her own body is letting her down, and it strikes a much stronger chord.

Her audience is predominantly middle-aged, middle-class women, as you might expect – never can the question ‘Who here’s seen Mamma Mia?’ be more assured of a positive response – and they lap it up with the boost of recognition. Every comic plays to their demographic, but the directness of Éclair’s confessions, crude but usually justified, will appeal beyond the target market,

She’s also toned down the performance, much fewer in-yer-face histrionics and shrill squawking; but largely striking a rather more conversational tone. There’s still a forced deliberation to some of the delivery, but mostly it’s more natural, or as natural as the ‘batty aunt with no self-censorship’ shtick will allow. Physical elements of the act, including using the comfy chair to take the weight off her feet or sitting awkwardly cross-legged on the stage, are equally less exaggerated than previously.

On such an early date in her tour, she admits she might use a bit of old material – she, naturally enough, prefers the term ‘vintage’; but it still works. And there are some ideas in this routine that a seasoned comedy-goer will be familiar with, such as the changing fashions for pubic hair, or the image of every man as beer-swilling football addicts.

But even if the old dog’s new tricks are limited; she deploys the well-established attitude and techniques to enjoyable effect. Good dog.

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She never makes me or any of my family laugh - we just make joke about her; she thinks she's as good as the top comedians but she fails to make me laugh even once.

Matthew Peterson, June 2010

I saw Jenny at Comedia in Bath last night. I haven't seen one of her shows for over ten years but I wasn't disappointed. The audience was 75 per cent middle-aged women who seemed to really appreciate her frank, crudely funny approach to the aging process in women. That said, a fair few men, including my partner, also seemed to find her hilarious. Her jokes aren't all smear test and vagina humour, regardless of what other commentators on here might lead you to believe. In fact, compared to how she used to be, her material has toned down considerably over the years but it still provoked a consistant number of belly laughs. Maybe some people are just put off by the vision of a woman growing old disgracefully but I loved it.

Jane, April 2009

Saw Jenny Eclair at Richmond Theatre last night, opening night of her 2007 Because I forgot to get a pension' tour. I I've seen her in Grumpy Old Women, and I loved that, but have to say this was not in the same league. I'm not especially prudish, but it was extremely crude, not really very funny, and does she have to say f***ing all the time? It adds nothing to it. There were some amusing bits but overall my friend and I found it quite tedious and not at all sophisticated - the supporting act (whose name I forget!) was better, although we were surprised that there was a support as the whole thing was less than two hours. As it turned out this was quite a relief!

Anne Hysted, September 2007

Irritating repetitive and totally unfunny. Makes you want to eat your own fists.

Scottaaay, March 2007

I find the other postings here by men hilarious. Isn't it a shame when women portray themselves as human - loud self-aware and unashamed. Poor blokes. I took my mother to see her last night, and to be honest, I figured it would be a bit low-brow and shallow for me. Slap my wrists and call me arrogant. It was sheer fun and laughter all the way. No unwarranted attacking of men but plenty of wry self-examination and glorious observations.

Nicola, June 2006

Just seen Jenny Eclair in Grumpy Old Women at York Opera House with Dilly Keane and Linda Robson and it was absolutely hilarious. The Opera House was packed to capacity and the whole place was in uproar. Yes, some things are near the mark, but lets face it, she's only commenting on what other people are too afraid to talk about in public ! I took my 64yr old mother and a 'slightly-younger' Aunt, both of whom I would describe as "decent" folk, and they cried with laughter the whole time - what more can I say?

Annie, May 2006

An embarassement. Appalling

Alan, March 2006

I just saw Jenny on Today With Des & Mel on ITV 1, and what a roll she was on. I've never seen her in better form

Simon, February 2006

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