Review by Steve Bennett

The image Guy Browning projects on stage is so prim and proper that he even feels the need to excuse himself for being ‘unnecessarily provocative’ when taking off his jacket in the swelteringly hot Courtyard room.

It is fortunate for the Guardian columnist that this comic figure is so distinguishing and assured, therefore, because it allows him to make a valiant attempt at breathing new life into the oldest of comedy topics: the difference between men and women.

To be honest, the choice of this subject as the main concept of a full-length show is slightly bewildering and, on paper, looks positively dull.  It is difficult to imagine  there being enough unturned stones (or truth, come to think of it) in the disparity between how the male and female attract each other to make even a mildly compelling full-length show. 

And for all this, Browning does not add much – if anything – new to the already dead topic, but still persists in reciting his routines as if they were completely groundbreaking.

Still, however, there is still much to be entertained by in this hour and Browning most definitely deserves credit for managing that unenviable feat considering his choice of concept.  He has an extremely eloquent turn of phrase that – at the show’s best moments – is supported by an informed talent for language, which is no surprise considering his day job. 

Therefore, to see Browning deconstruct male attempts at dancing, but through his specifically formal choice of words (and  suitable on-stage movements to support them), does become an extremely funny endeavour.  His choice of metaphors is limited to high-minded images such as UN inspectors.  This makes it especially humorous when he does drop in the very occasional offbeat line about something like pigeons, simply because it is so unexpected.

However, I do also find it quite problematic that, having just heard one 15-minute episode of Browning’s Radio 4 programme, I managed to recognise the exact wording to many of the gags.  For a show listed as a world premiere, it seems slightly misleading to fans of his radio work to come and hear some – if not much – of the same material.

These problems aside, Browning still cuts an assured figure that can be truly entertaining within itself.  To be honest, he is never going to produce something truly great within this concept but instead he emerges with something entertaining but very average and that is probably the best that can be expected.

Review date: 1 Jan 2005
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett