Wil Hodgson: Leave the Landing Light On

Review by Jennifer McKiernan | 28 Aug 2013

A monochrome image of Wil Hodgson flickers on screen to a soundtrack of Black Sabbath as the graveyard slot begins. Conjuring themes of the occult could have produced a very niche show, but Leave the Landing Light Onis surprisingly accessible.

Hodgson is scared of the dark, and finds succour in comics and late night horror films, fuelled in part by ghost stories told by his friends at Sea  Cadets. His machine-gun delivery is offset by his vulnerability and honesty.

At his best when highlighting the unnoticed horror pouring from children's television, Hodgson teases out some hilarious observations about everything from Dennis the Menace to Roald Dahl. He even manages a good Savile joke linked to Scottish independence.The best line comes from a joke about the terrifying consequences of playing on train tracks, leaving a boy's feet "marmelised into oblivion" before he's handed back his useless football boots. 

Having spent the gig flagging up his childhood fears, Hodgson finishes by getting the audience to confront one with him. Switching off the lights like his Sea Cadet pals used to, Hodgson summons Bloody Mary in a mirror – eaving everyone giggling. 

A solid, funny hour. 

Wil Hodgson, Leave the Landing Light On, Stand III, 11.35pm