There are very few shows when I can say it
is has been both a pleasure and a privilege to attend. This is
undoubtedly one such show. When Chic Murray died in 1985 in his mid
sixties, the tributes that poured in from those in the entertainment
industry stressed the word unique. This word is bandied around
nowadays till it almost becomes meaningless. Yes, there are very
gifted comedians around, but how many can be described as unique?
This tribute to Chic Murray is presented by
his daughter, Annabelle. She described the show at the outset as a
“documentary come to life”. It is a presentation putting
together photographs, sound recordings, TV and film clips, with a
four piece band led by Bob Symans to provide background music.
Chic Murray had a number of careers.
Working with his wife Maidie, they were a popular music hall double
act in the 1940’s, and 1950’s. When music hall collapsed, Chic
Murray’s style of comedy transferred naturally into the TV age
because he had been years ahead of his time. His humour was based on
playing himself, sending himself up but also gently mocking the
foibles of others. Storytelling with sophisticated use of language
was his style. His mastery of timing was as good as it gets. A
number of clips were shown and the humour is still hilarious.
Billy Connolly made a telling point in an
interview that Chic Murray became even funnier and more weird as he
grew older. Also, he was the first Scottish comedian to become
popular nationally. For all these reasons, he was truly unique.
The show ended dramatically with Chic’s
wife Maidie, now well into her eighties thanking the audience for
attending and cracking a few humorous comments on her life with
Chic. The only pity is that this production is only on for three
nights.
*****
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