Legendary American comedian Mel Brooks created the 2000 Year Old Man routine with Carl Reiner more than half a century ago and for the first time has allowed it to be performed by others on stage. Maybe he wants to enjoy it from the stalls. Brooks will be visiting London for a rare solo gig during this run.
If he does come he will see an intriguing comedic curiosity. Kerry Shale recreates Brooks’s eccentric seen-it-all ancient Jew while interviewer Chris Neill does little more than skilfully set up the next gag.
And there are plenty of laughs to be had as our kosher everyman reveals how he has 42,000 children — “and not one of them visits” — and puts the historians straight. Shakespeare was no great shakes, Helen of Troy had a sister called Janice.
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It is particularly funny if, like the opening night audience, you appreciate humour as Jewish as chopped liver. Once it hits the groove with Shale gassing on it does get slightly repetitive. But lovers of corny quips should be able to ignore the fact that in his Florida golfer slacks Shale does not look a day over 1000.
Until March 22 (020 7433 8988, jw3.org.uk)
