Review by Ken Ebbens
Well, that was such an enjoyable laugh, better than nearly any comedy show I’ve seen for many years, and none of them “comedians”.
One of my “must watch” programmes was always A Question of Sport from the days of Bill Beaumont, Emlyn Hughes and David Coleman to Sue Barker, Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell. In the blurb for their Live Reunion Tour at a packed Portsmouth Guildhall it states that “not affiliated with the BBC and Question of Sport”. Exactly!!
A blue and purple lit stage set suitably colourful for the guests of the night, James Haskell (rugby union), Roger Black (athletics, Portsmouth-born but a Southampton supporter, blamed on his dad), John Inverdale (presenter) and Mark Butcher (cricket), all very personable characters, just right for the evening.
The main three ambled on stage to gently set the scene, especially the “not affiliated” background, to a huge cheer/boo, panto has started. A run through of what the three had been doing post sacking, Sue nothing then encouraged chatting to Billie Jean King (as you do) to do this tour, Phil in Australia for the Ashes, “plenty of extra days off with the missus”, Matt, his own cook book and range of sausages, cue plenty of innuendo-laden chat with the audience, especially what you do to a sausage before cooking.
Phil is great in his bumbling self-deprecating “common geezer” act (or is it), Matt a little more serious but very similar and the school ma’am Sue, clearly well respected by the other two.
The guests were perfect for two hours of great fun with all the well known rounds (picture, hall of fame, numbers, balls in 3 buckets, names for a phrase and quick-fire) to finish the first half 15 -12 to Matt. Stories flew like confetti, why Phil never got a 10 on Strictly from Bruno but is that why Matt did, George Foreman telling Matt not to touch him ever again, James telling some brilliant Prince Andrew jokes and in-stories of his friendship with teammate Mike Tindall, married into the Royal Family, and games with Prince William, and Sue how she told Piers Brosnan to “Die Another Day”.
This review does not do justice to the sheer delight of the interactions with the audience and themselves, and the ease of the night. Was it all scripted? No idea, but that made no difference.
Second half: Who are you real names, I really cannot state some of them but included Forte Winks, Alex Fresco, Duane Pipe and Dominique Dropsy, the first three false but the last one an actual goalkeeper, top 10 and quick-fire say what you see. Matt and Phil were brilliant with things like Dressage, Miami Dolphins, Linford Christie, Hooker and Croquet, a real Carry on.. but special mention to wooden rackets, Phil “Sue would play with these”, Roger shouting out a certain singer’s name. Hilarious in the moment.
Oh, Phil won 35-32 but who cares, a brilliant evening.
– Ken Ebbens, radio host on Flash Radio