Daniel
Kitson is renowned in the comedy world for his brilliant, often long and
rambling stand up. There are very few people who would have a bad word
to say about the famously publicity-shy comedian and after my third
experience of Kitson in action I'm not about to be the first.
66a Church Road, however, is not a stand-up show. It is more a one man,
autobiographical, play based around the longest relationship that Kitson
has ever had. A relationship, not with a woman, but with a flat. The
show is subtitled 'A Lament, Made of Memories and Kept in Suitcases' and
those nine words describe the show better than I ever could.
I saw 66a Church Road at the final of four performances at The Tron
theatre in Glasgow. This theatre, in a former church, was a perfect
venue, with steeply raked seating allowing the audience a clear view of
the stage; a stage set with a large Persian rug, a variety of old trunks
and suitcases and lit from above by a a cosily shaded living room light,
and intimate enough to allow Kitson to talk without the encumbrance of a
microphone.
A hush fell over the audience when a surprisingly beardless Daniel
Kitson took to the stage and settled on to its solitary chair, and we
were enthralled by the wonder of his storytelling for the next ninety
minutes. This show tells the story of Daniel's six years living at 66a
Church Road, it is by turns happy, sad, funny, tragic and nostalgic. The
story is interspersed with recorded memories and, loathe as I am to use
the word, it really does take you on a journey. As Daniel himself said
this is a break up show, for his flat. And as that subtitle suggests, it
is a lament for a lost love, and the memories of a home.
66a Church Road continues to tour the UK and if you can get your hands
on a ticket I would urge you to see it while you can.
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