From the outset, the third High on Laughter fund-raiser felt strange. A show for drugs charity Turning Point Scotland, featuring a predominantly American stand-up bill, topped by Jerry Lewis. Why London?
The under-capacity crowd watched video highlights from the legend's career. Lewis's 18-piece band assembled. Then organiser Steven Alan Green announced a delay. Shortly afterwards, Green returned. Lewis, 76, had been taken seriously ill.
Despite misgivings, proceedings continued promisingly. Paul Provenza sported black leather and a Lenny Bruce attitude, explaining that he was trying to visit cities before George Bush bombed them. The highlight of the first half was Rick Right's Nashville Bohemian Rhapsody send-up. Of the indigenous contingent, only Perrier winner Daniel Kitson, on particularly abrasive form, could compete.
The second half began strongly. The idiosyncratic Emo Philips has a way of winning you over with warped punch lines that would be repellent if others told them. He reflected that his girlfriend left him because he didn't open the car door for her - he just swam straight to the surface. Bobcat Goldthwait also had an endearing edginess, screaming himself hoarse during his set. Things were looking good as Rick Overton closed with his immaculate Sean Connery impression.
Then we were told that Lewis had been ill recently and may have had a relapse. Fifty years ago he wowed the Palladium with Dean Martin. There was no victorious return, only stunned confusion. High On Laughter climaxed with nothing less than high drama.
High on Laughter
