Jenny Eclair 'Old Dog, New Tricks'

Review by Alan Gillespie | 02 Apr 2012

I have always believed, rightly or wrongly, that my gran would very much like Jenny Eclair. This may still be the case, but having seen Eclair at work I would be much less inclined to wish my gran was sitting with me. This is a comedienne with a dizzying array of filthy jokes and obscenities, with views that have the audience howling and wincing in equal measure. And my presumptions about the crowd's age and gender are completely off the mark as well; this is an act whose humour appeals to a wide demographic.

Eclair's material offers hilarious insights to the workings of a middle-aged woman's mindset, delivered with wit and mischief. Up for discussion are over-priced pampering sessions, the self-service checkouts at Tesco and Eclair's ongoing habit of menstruating. Young people are routinely ridiculed, for both their naivety and perkiness.

There is a warmth and energy to the performance; even when Eclair loses her train of thought and has to consult her notes, the audience are happy to sit and wait. At other times she bounces around the stage, sits on the stairs and even tells jokes lying flat on her back.

Go with your gran, but make sure you're not sitting together.

Citizens Theatre on March 30, as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival http://www.jennyeclair.com