Cockney bodypopping

From Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow 2010

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Terry Alderton
Live Review

As Terry Alderton bursts on to the stage with his manic and intense energy, half of the crowd are clearly baffled. By the end, many are still unsure quite how to process this mad performance they've just witnessed.

Alderton begins by getting to know a few people on the front row, one in a very over-familiar way. There is a bold opening bit for locals regarding Edinburgh buses and a quite a few references to children's TV that work for people over 30. Then, shortly into his set Alderton pulls out his trademark technique, turning his back on his crowd and conversing with a devilish voice inside his head to discuss how it's going. It's akin to an expert ventriloquist vigorously arguing with themselves, and he returns to this successful idea several times.

Alderton smashes together all manner of subjects, observations, comic styles and general silliness. He uses his powerful vocal skills to runs through various accents, from posh English to angry Scottish, American, Aussie and Kiwi, as well as various characters from India and the British Isles, and a few famous people. The stress on his vocal chords must be quite severe, as some of these impressive sound effects are punishing on the ears.

There are a couple of short routines in the middle where the pace of the laughter slightly dipped so Alderton returned to discuss this with his dark passenger and the follow-up gags are just reward. There were mistakes in the dialogue that get picked up on by his other voices, not immediately though and that's part of the delight. Even now I don't know if him saying there are 52 stars on the American flag was a genuine mistake or an unfinished gag.

Alderton has gone all-in to put everything he can into this unconventional show. His effort clearly pays off and he creates a joyousness that raises the spirits of the whole crowd.

His vocal skills might be worthy of a show by themselves, but combined with a high-octane physical performance and some astute jokes for those quick enough to get them, Alderton has a put together a show that will appeal to just about the widest cross-section of audiences.

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ive seen Terry a number of times over the years and he just keeps getting better, never a disapointment, always a top performance he deserves big thing to happen for him

julie, January 2012

Terry was the first comedian I've seen get a standing ovation at The Stand in Glasgow and he thoroughly deserved it. Sharp as a knife and utterly hilarious - one of the best comedians I've ever seen. I've no idea why he's not higher profile, maybe too original for some, but he blew us all away :)

Graham White, April 2011

I saw terry at latitude festival 2010. He was the most talented and funniest comedian I have ever seen in my opinion and I was glad to see him get some mainstream attention on the comedy roadshow. I hope he becomes as successful as some of the comedians that get famous through panel shows.

Andrew Burge, January 2011

Saw Terry at the hotbed of comedy in the South East that is Whitstable and he was excellent. I saw 7 of the 11 acts during the week long Oyoyster comedy festival( thanks Mr Nick Wilty) and he got the most and heartiest laughs.

Neil Mason, July 2010

I saw Terry Alderton at Eden Court Theatre Inverness 7th March - is he an impressionist? an actor? An actor pretending to pass himself off as a comedian? Who knows? He's certainly an animated performer when he takes to the stage - 'all guns blazing' puts his heart'n'soul into his act no denying that. I found this one-man show - shallow! Lacking in quality material to hold my attention for the evening. Confirmed all the more with his Gollum-like voice routine throughout the night just irritated me! On a positive note, Terry is an accomplished performer,if his talent was made up of jigsaw pieces,he needs to assemble them into a more coherent and productive future. The talent's there!

Douglas Thomson, March 2010

Saw Terry at the comedy Store in london last week and I've been raving about him ever since. A brilliant comic, one of the best I've seen. Very original, fast paced and clever. This guy is way more than funny voices, the sort of guy who leaves you wondering why you never thought of what he does and wishing you had. He got a great response from the audience who were rolling about. A must see.

John Burns, December 2009

Hey Terry and everyone else who reads the Chortle review of Edinburgh show - please remember that as lovely as Steve Bennett is - he is also a patronising self important hack... Terry Alderton is the Greatest Show on Legs!!!

Jim-Bob, October 2009

I saw him at a venue in Weybridge a few months ago. I hadn't heard of him. Everyone was crying with laughter including me. Very original. He was as good as the best on TV. The You Tube clips are a misrepresentation as you cant see him properly and his humour is very visual. The main critic from your site is obviously very biased and doesn't represent how popular he is. The comedy club said that he is one of the best out there and they were very lucky to book him. I agree.

Andrea, March 2009

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