Tag Archives: Hydro Arena

REVIEW: Jack Whitehall Stood Up – SSE Hydro Arena, Glasgow

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The song The Greatest Show with sparkle-clad Vegas show dancers, a tumbling routine and fire canons, is not quite what you expect as the intro to a comedy gig, but this isn’t any old comedy gig, this is the first night of a 2-date run at the 13000-seater Hydro Arena and Jack Whitehall’s new show for 2019, Stood Up.

It’s a testament to Whitehall’s skill and affability that apart from the dazzling intro and finale (which we’ll come to later) that this isn’t an evening of comedy on steroids, it’s just Whitehall telling stories in such an engaging way that he has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Such is his skill, that it’s all he needs. The act is tight throughout (there’s not a murmur of heckling) and Whitehall never wavers, never looses the thread, keeps the jokes coming and the audience firmly on his side and invested in what on earth is going to come next.

There’s the inevitable, but perfectly knowing schtick about how he’s just like you or I (he’s not) and the posho-references, but that’s what the audience comes for, that’s what he’s loved for.

There are surprises aplenty throughout that would be churlish to reveal to anyone attending the tour and an eye-popping seasonal spectacular to end the show, that cleverly ties into an anecdote from the first half.

He may not be everyone’s cup of Earl Grey, but it’s a masterclass in comedy performance that keeps the laughs coming from start to end.

Catch it on tour if you can.

 

Reviewed on 19/11/2019 Jack Whitehall continues touring throughout the UK.

 

REVIEW: Flight of the Conchords sing Flight of the Conchords – SEE Hydro Arena, Glasgow

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It’s been a long seven years since the “almost award-winning, fourth most popular folk duo in New Zealand” have toured the U.K., made longer by Bret McKenzie’s recovery from a broken wrist, sustained from a nose dive down a flight of stairs at the start of the tour.

Flight of the Conchords have come a long, long way both physically and metaphorically. From bumbling young cult duo trying to find their niche in the comedy world to a 13000 person audience at Glasgow’s Hydro Arena via Bret McKenzie winning the 2012 songwriting Academy Award and Jemaine Clement’s glittering movie career going from strength to strength.

Their 90-minute set is a perfect mix of old and new, launching straight into Father and Son, a seemingly tender ballad that takes an unexpectedly dark turn. There are highlights throughout, so many it would read like a setlist, but Deana and Ian, a tale of inter-office romance is hysterical; The Ballad of Stana a disturbingly funny traditional country story-song; Summer of 1353, a madrigal, yes, you read that right, complete with recorder solos, and two old favourites, Bowie and Foux du Fa Fa (who doesn’t love a lyric that rhymes haricots verts with pomme de terres), the list goes on and on.

The duo acknowledge that they look a lot older than they did in their TV show days, and apologise for reminding us of our own mortality, but the wit and intellect and self-deprecating humour is still there. They remain utterly irresistible and, if anything, funnier than they have ever been. This reviewers’ love for the pair remains undiminished. Just perfect.

 

 

 

 

REVIEW: Cirque du Soleil – Dralion SSE Hydro Arena, Glasgow

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Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion has arrived spectacularly in Glasgow, drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophy and its quest for harmony between humans and nature (the name itself derived from the eastern dragon and the western lion), the four elements of nature take human form, each represented by its own evocative colour: air=blue, water=green, fire=red and earth=ochre, and as cultures blend, man and nature become one and harmony is achieved.

costume02It is a rare and wonderful thing to see true mastery of a craft, and after thirty years, Cirque du Soleil are true masters of theirs. Seamlessly blending jaw-dropping circus acts with live music and song this is a sensory stimulating spectacular of stunning quality.

The acts are listed simply: trampoline, juggling, skipping ropes, … but none conform to any idea that the layman has of these terms.The ‘trampoline’ is a seemingly effortless, gravity defying show of superhero skills which is astounding in its display of strength and control.

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The ‘juggler’ combines acrobatics, choreography and the mere task of keeping an astonishing nine balls in the air!

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And ‘skipping ropes’ isn’t your usual playground game, instead it’s a sixteen person human tower skipping in unison (see the trailer below). The rest of the acts are equally, if not even more breath-taking, including hoop diving, single hand balancing, diabolos and a mesmerisingly beautiful aerial pas de deux.

3804_hoops-740_r667d186Underpinning the visual narrative of the show is a hypnotic musical score performed by two truly gifted vocalists who sing in Cirque du Soleil’s unique invented language accompanied by a six-piece live band and a trio of chaotic clowns who entertain the crowd both before and during the show.

A spectacle in the true sense of the word, this is the show and Cirque du Soleil the company to blow any pre-conceptions or prejudices you have about the circus away. An astounding visual treat from start to finish.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit http://www.cirquedusoleil.com.

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Photo Credits: Daniel Desmarais Costumes: Fran√ßois Barbeau © 2010 Cirque du Soleil

All images for promotional use only and may not be copied for personal use.